Saturday, 5th August 2023
Alex Buabeng-Korsah
TOPIC: THE PROBLEM OF VIOLENCE
THEME SCRIPTURE: “And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her and lay with her, and violated her.” – Genesis 34:2
PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:
- Why will a noble man like Shechem act to violate a woman like Dinah?
- What was the results of Shechem’s action?
As the years go by, there is a growing belief that mankind is becoming better and that, with time, we will eradicate the things that threaten our existence, including violence. Looking back, the history of mankind is a history of violence, beginning with the first two brothers—Cain and Abel. The damage done to humankind by the First and Second World Wars leaves us to wonder whether man has the capacity to annihilate violence. Over 20 million lives were lost during these two world wars.
Psychology points out that violence is the outworking of the inner tension, which is part and parcel of the human makeup.
But the questions remain: “How did the inner tension become part of our inner make-up? Can this inner tension be dealt with?” This is where the holy scriptures come in to provide us with the right answers. Beloved, out of the heart are all the issues of life (Prov 4:23). The heart of man is desperately wicked (Gen 6:5) and deceitful above all things (Jer 17:9). This came about when man distanced himself from God through sin. Over the years, we have forgotten that we were created in the image and likeness of God. Suggesting that God is part of our makeup. Therefore, man is incomplete without God in him and with him.
The result is the void, emptiness, depression, and the tension within. Beloved, man, separated from God, is capable of any form of evil.
Dinah is Jacob’s daughter, and Shechem spotted her one day. He liked her, and as a prince, he took her, laid with her, and violated her. By violating Dinah, Shechem violated her womanhood and the principles of her people. This violence was destructive to Dinah’s dignity and a perversion of true love. True love does not behave itself unseemly and does not seek her own (1 Cor 13:5). The violence of Shechem resulted in a mass slaughter of Shechem, his father, and all the males among his people by Simeon and Levi (Gen 34:25-26). They plundered the city and left (Gen 34:27-28).
Precious one, in a time when man seems to have advanced so much in science and technology, his capacity to deploy violence has also grown.
Today, we see all forms of violence, abuse and plundering of lives in some homes, workplaces, churches, and online. But violence as a problem cannot be solved with violence. Until mankind returns to his source, maker, and master, there is no hope. Beyond Jesus Christ, who, amid all the violence being done to Him, said, “Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing”, there is no hope for mankind. Only Jesus is big enough to fix the wickedness of our hearts and the violence in our souls. Beloved, have you surrendered your life to Jesus? Each day, do you make time to connect with and yield to the voice of God in the cool of the day (Gen 3:8)? O, that your heart's cry today and every day will be: “Evermore, Lord, reign in me; rule my heart.” Then shall you be far from violence and know peace that surpasses understanding. God bless you more.
FURTHER READING – 2 Samuel 13:1-22
Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so
QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:
- How violent or abusive are you in the home, office or in the community you live in?
- How well are you yielded to God and His word for your life?
CONFESSION
Precious Lord, ever more reign in me. I surrender every part of my being to your Lordship. I affirm that violence is far from my dwelling and the peace of God garrisons my heart every day. Glory Hallelujah!
1-Year Bible Reading Plan
2 Samuel 23; Jeremiah 26; Romans 15; Roman 16
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