The Problem of Delayed Obedience
In the Beginning • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 8 viewsJacob delays in obeying God’s directive to return to Bethel.
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Genesis 34:1-31
1 One day Dinah, the daughter of Jacob and Leah, went to visit some of the young women who lived in the area.
2 But when the local prince, Shechem son of Hamor the Hivite, saw Dinah, he seized her and raped her.
3 But then he fell in love with her, and he tried to win her affection with tender words.
4 He said to his father, Hamor, “Get me this young girl. I want to marry her.”
5 Soon Jacob heard that Shechem had defiled his daughter, Dinah. But since his sons were out in the fields herding his livestock, he said nothing until they returned.
6 Hamor, Shechem’s father, came to discuss the matter with Jacob.
7 Meanwhile, Jacob’s sons had come in from the field as soon as they heard what had happened. They were shocked and furious that their sister had been raped. Shechem had done a disgraceful thing against Jacob’s family, something that should never be done.
8 Hamor tried to speak with Jacob and his sons. “My son Shechem is truly in love with your daughter,” he said. “Please let him marry her.
9 In fact, let’s arrange other marriages, too. You give us your daughters for our sons, and we will give you our daughters for your sons.
10 And you may live among us; the land is open to you! Settle here and trade with us. And feel free to buy property in the area.”
11 Then Shechem himself spoke to Dinah’s father and brothers. “Please be kind to me, and let me marry her,” he begged. “I will give you whatever you ask.
12 No matter what dowry or gift you demand, I will gladly pay it—just give me the girl as my wife.”
13 But since Shechem had defiled their sister, Dinah, Jacob’s sons responded deceitfully to Shechem and his father, Hamor.
14 They said to them, “We couldn’t possibly allow this, because you’re not circumcised. It would be a disgrace for our sister to marry a man like you!
15 But here is a solution. If every man among you will be circumcised like we are,
16 then we will give you our daughters, and we’ll take your daughters for ourselves. We will live among you and become one people.
17 But if you don’t agree to be circumcised, we will take her and be on our way.”
18 Hamor and his son Shechem agreed to their proposal.
19 Shechem wasted no time in acting on this request, for he wanted Jacob’s daughter desperately. Shechem was a highly respected member of his family,
20 and he went with his father, Hamor, to present this proposal to the leaders at the town gate.
21 “These men are our friends,” they said. “Let’s invite them to live here among us and trade freely. Look, the land is large enough to hold them. We can take their daughters as wives and let them marry ours.
22 But they will consider staying here and becoming one people with us only if all of our men are circumcised, just as they are.
23 But if we do this, all their livestock and possessions will eventually be ours. Come, let’s agree to their terms and let them settle here among us.”
24 So all the men in the town council agreed with Hamor and Shechem, and every male in the town was circumcised.
25 But three days later, when their wounds were still sore, two of Jacob’s sons, Simeon and Levi, who were Dinah’s full brothers, took their swords and entered the town without opposition. Then they slaughtered every male there,
26 including Hamor and his son Shechem. They killed them with their swords, then took Dinah from Shechem’s house and returned to their camp.
27 Meanwhile, the rest of Jacob’s sons arrived. Finding the men slaughtered, they plundered the town because their sister had been defiled there.
28 They seized all the flocks and herds and donkeys—everything they could lay their hands on, both inside the town and outside in the fields.
29 They looted all their wealth and plundered their houses. They also took all their little children and wives and led them away as captives.
30 Afterward Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have ruined me! You’ve made me stink among all the people of this land—among all the Canaanites and Perizzites. We are so few that they will join forces and crush us. I will be ruined, and my entire household will be wiped out!”
31 “But why should we let him treat our sister like a prostitute?” they retorted angrily.
INTRODUCTION:
Notice three things about “The Problem of Delayed Obedience.”
I- THE WILLFUL CHOICE TO DELAY IN OBEYING THE LORD. (Genesis 33:17-20)
I- THE WILLFUL CHOICE TO DELAY IN OBEYING THE LORD. (Genesis 33:17-20)
17 Jacob, on the other hand, traveled on to Succoth. There he built himself a house and made shelters for his livestock. That is why the place was named Succoth (which means “shelters”).
18 Later, having traveled all the way from Paddan-aram, Jacob arrived safely at the town of Shechem, in the land of Canaan. There he set up camp outside the town.
19 Jacob bought the plot of land where he camped from the family of Hamor, the father of Shechem, for 100 pieces of silver.
20 And there he built an altar and named it El-Elohe-Israel.
A- God’s call is clear to us. (Genesis 31:3)
A- God’s call is clear to us. (Genesis 31:3)
3 Then the Lord said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your father and grandfather and to your relatives there, and I will be with you.”
1- Jacob had a clear directive from God.
a. Leave serving Laban and return to the land of Abraham and Isaac.
b. He had God’s promise to take care of he and his family.
2- God gives us clear directives as believers.
a. Collectively
b. Individually
B- Sometimes we make a choice to delay our obedience to God. (Genesis 33:17-20)
B- Sometimes we make a choice to delay our obedience to God. (Genesis 33:17-20)
17 Jacob, on the other hand, traveled on to Succoth. There he built himself a house and made shelters for his livestock. That is why the place was named Succoth (which means “shelters”).
18 Later, having traveled all the way from Paddan-aram, Jacob arrived safely at the town of Shechem, in the land of Canaan. There he set up camp outside the town.
19 Jacob bought the plot of land where he camped from the family of Hamor, the father of Shechem, for 100 pieces of silver.
20 And there he built an altar and named it El-Elohe-Israel.
1- Jacob made at least two clear decisions to delay in obeying God.
a. He traveled to Succoth and built a house and shelters for his livestock. (Genesis 33:17)
17 Jacob, on the other hand, traveled on to Succoth. There he built himself a house and made shelters for his livestock. That is why the place was named Succoth (which means “shelters”).
b. He traveled to the town of Shechem in Canaan and “set-up” camp.
He purchased land. (implies a residence) (Genesis 33:18-20)
18 Later, having traveled all the way from Paddan-aram, Jacob arrived safely at the town of Shechem, in the land of Canaan. There he set up camp outside the town.
19 Jacob bought the plot of land where he camped from the family of Hamor, the father of Shechem, for 100 pieces of silver.
20 And there he built an altar and named it El-Elohe-Israel.
He stayed long enough that at least some relationships were made with people in the area. (Genesis 34:1)
1 One day Dinah, the daughter of Jacob and Leah, went to visit some of the young women who lived in the area.
2- Delaying obedience to God is a willful choice.
a. This is why disobedience is referred to as transgression against God.
We refer to someone “falling into sin,” but falling into sin entails staying too close to the temptation to start with.
Sin is a matter of choice. (Rom 6:16)
16 Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.
The word of God instructs us to run away from sinful desires.
(2 Tim 2:22)
22 Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.
(1 Thess 5:22)
22 Stay away from every kind of evil.
The worst thing we can do is to stay where there is temptation.
(Prov 4:14–15)
14 Don’t do as the wicked do, and don’t follow the path of evildoers.
15 Don’t even think about it; don’t go that way. Turn away and keep moving.
II- THE PAINFUL CONSEQUENCES OF DELAYING OUR OBEDIENCE TO THE LORD. (Genesis 34:1-31)
II- THE PAINFUL CONSEQUENCES OF DELAYING OUR OBEDIENCE TO THE LORD. (Genesis 34:1-31)
A- Delayed obedience impacts people around us.
A- Delayed obedience impacts people around us.
1- Delayed obedience leads those closest to us into compromise with the world.
a. It was because of Jacob’s delayed obedience that Dinah, his daughter, wound up in fellowship with the Canaanite women and met Shechem.
She should not have been in fellowship with Canaanite women, who were worshippers of pagan gods.
b. When we delay obedience to God, we are more prone to compromise with the world around us.
We are far better off chosing to obey without delay.
2- Delayed obedience can lead to disastrous consequences for all around us.
a. Dinah was raped by Shechem. (Genesis 34:2)
2 But when the local prince, Shechem son of Hamor the Hivite, saw Dinah, he seized her and raped her.
b. Simeon and Levi became liars and murderers. (Genesis 34:24-26)
24 So all the men in the town council agreed with Hamor and Shechem, and every male in the town was circumcised.
25 But three days later, when their wounds were still sore, two of Jacob’s sons, Simeon and Levi, who were Dinah’s full brothers, took their swords and entered the town without opposition. Then they slaughtered every male there,
26 including Hamor and his son Shechem. They killed them with their swords, then took Dinah from Shechem’s house and returned to their camp.
c. The rest of Jacob’s sons became thieves. (Genesis 34:27-29)
27 Meanwhile, the rest of Jacob’s sons arrived. Finding the men slaughtered, they plundered the town because their sister had been defiled there.
28 They seized all the flocks and herds and donkeys—everything they could lay their hands on, both inside the town and outside in the fields.
29 They looted all their wealth and plundered their houses. They also took all their little children and wives and led them away as captives.
c. All of the men of the town were murdered and the town was pillaged.
(Genesis 34:25-26)
25 But three days later, when their wounds were still sore, two of Jacob’s sons, Simeon and Levi, who were Dinah’s full brothers, took their swords and entered the town without opposition. Then they slaughtered every male there,
26 including Hamor and his son Shechem. They killed them with their swords, then took Dinah from Shechem’s house and returned to their camp.
B- Delayed obedience impacts our own lives.
B- Delayed obedience impacts our own lives.
1- This was true for Jacob and his family.
a. There were fiscal costs that would have been spared if Jacob had obeyed. (Genesis 33:17-19)
17 Jacob, on the other hand, traveled on to Succoth. There he built himself a house and made shelters for his livestock. That is why the place was named Succoth (which means “shelters”).
18 Later, having traveled all the way from Paddan-aram, Jacob arrived safely at the town of Shechem, in the land of Canaan. There he set up camp outside the town.
19 Jacob bought the plot of land where he camped from the family of Hamor, the father of Shechem, for 100 pieces of silver.
b. There was emotional pain that could have been avoided if he had obeyed.
The pain of having his daughter raped. (Genesis 34:2-5)
2 But when the local prince, Shechem son of Hamor the Hivite, saw Dinah, he seized her and raped her.
3 But then he fell in love with her, and he tried to win her affection with tender words.
4 He said to his father, Hamor, “Get me this young girl. I want to marry her.”
5 Soon Jacob heard that Shechem had defiled his daughter, Dinah. But since his sons were out in the fields herding his livestock, he said nothing until they returned.
The pain of seeing his sons do wrong. (Genesis 34:25-31)
25 But three days later, when their wounds were still sore, two of Jacob’s sons, Simeon and Levi, who were Dinah’s full brothers, took their swords and entered the town without opposition. Then they slaughtered every male there,
26 including Hamor and his son Shechem. They killed them with their swords, then took Dinah from Shechem’s house and returned to their camp.
27 Meanwhile, the rest of Jacob’s sons arrived. Finding the men slaughtered, they plundered the town because their sister had been defiled there.
28 They seized all the flocks and herds and donkeys—everything they could lay their hands on, both inside the town and outside in the fields.
29 They looted all their wealth and plundered their houses. They also took all their little children and wives and led them away as captives.
30 Afterward Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have ruined me! You’ve made me stink among all the people of this land—among all the Canaanites and Perizzites. We are so few that they will join forces and crush us. I will be ruined, and my entire household will be wiped out!”
31 “But why should we let him treat our sister like a prostitute?” they retorted angrily.
c. Jacob missed out on walking with God during his time of disobedience.
It is noteworthy that God is not mentioned from Genesis 33:17-34:31. While the time frame is nt given, it is evident that a good bit of time had to be involved in these events.
Time to build a house and shelters at Succoth and use them.
Time to travel to Shechem, buy land, set-up camp and build an altar to God.
Time to establish relationships that made Dinah’s visiting the young women a viable activity.
d. Jacob lived in fear because of his sons’ actions. (Genesis 34:30-31)
30 Afterward Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have ruined me! You’ve made me stink among all the people of this land—among all the Canaanites and Perizzites. We are so few that they will join forces and crush us. I will be ruined, and my entire household will be wiped out!”
31 “But why should we let him treat our sister like a prostitute?” they retorted angrily.
2- This is true for us.
a. Delayed obedience always leads to negative consequences in our lives.
Loss of the direction of God in all areas of life.
God is not going to lead us if we are refusing to follow him.
(James 4:17)
17 Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.
(John 12:26)
26 Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.
Emotional pain that can have been avoided.
the emotional pain of seeing our loved-ones make serious mistakes morally and spiritually.
The emotional pain of making bad choices that are personally costly.
III- THE SOBERING CALL TO QUIT DELAYING OUR OBEDIENCE TO THE LORD. (GENESIS 35:1-7)
III- THE SOBERING CALL TO QUIT DELAYING OUR OBEDIENCE TO THE LORD. (GENESIS 35:1-7)
1 Then God said to Jacob, “Get ready and move to Bethel and settle there. Build an altar there to the God who appeared to you when you fled from your brother, Esau.”
2 So Jacob told everyone in his household, “Get rid of all your pagan idols, purify yourselves, and put on clean clothing.
3 We are now going to Bethel, where I will build an altar to the God who answered my prayers when I was in distress. He has been with me wherever I have gone.”
4 So they gave Jacob all their pagan idols and earrings, and he buried them under the great tree near Shechem.
5 As they set out, a terror from God spread over the people in all the towns of that area, so no one attacked Jacob’s family.
6 Eventually, Jacob and his household arrived at Luz (also called Bethel) in Canaan.
7 Jacob built an altar there and named the place El-bethel (which means “God of Bethel”), because God had appeared to him there when he was fleeing from his brother, Esau.
A- The Lord is the God of second-chances.
A- The Lord is the God of second-chances.
1- Jacob received a renewed call from God to follow Him. (Genesis 35:1)
1 Then God said to Jacob, “Get ready and move to Bethel and settle there. Build an altar there to the God who appeared to you when you fled from your brother, Esau.”
a. God had previously called him to follow Him.
(Genesis 28:10-15; 31:3)
10 Meanwhile, Jacob left Beersheba and traveled toward Haran.
11 At sundown he arrived at a good place to set up camp and stopped there for the night. Jacob found a stone to rest his head against and lay down to sleep.
12 As he slept, he dreamed of a stairway that reached from the earth up to heaven. And he saw the angels of God going up and down the stairway.
13 At the top of the stairway stood the Lord, and he said, “I am the Lord, the God of your grandfather Abraham, and the God of your father, Isaac. The ground you are lying on belongs to you. I am giving it to you and your descendants.
14 Your descendants will be as numerous as the dust of the earth! They will spread out in all directions—to the west and the east, to the north and the south. And all the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your descendants.
15 What’s more, I am with you, and I will protect you wherever you go. One day I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have finished giving you everything I have promised you.”
3 Then the Lord said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your father and grandfather and to your relatives there, and I will be with you.”
b. Jacob had made the choice to delay in obeying God to return to his homeland. (text)
c. Jacob had encurred the consequences of delaying in obedience to God’s call.
d. Now God was calling again.
2- God calls us back to Himself.
a. He called us to follow him when he called us to salvation.
(Matt 11:28–30)
28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
b. He called us to join him in reaching others.
(Matt 4:19)
19 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”
c. He calls each of us to specific acts of obedience.
(John 15:14)
14 You are my friends if you do what I command.
B- It is possible to get back on track in following the Lord.
B- It is possible to get back on track in following the Lord.
1- Jacob led his family in turning away from sin and returning to follow the Lord. (Genesis 35:2-7)
2 So Jacob told everyone in his household, “Get rid of all your pagan idols, purify yourselves, and put on clean clothing.
3 We are now going to Bethel, where I will build an altar to the God who answered my prayers when I was in distress. He has been with me wherever I have gone.”
4 So they gave Jacob all their pagan idols and earrings, and he buried them under the great tree near Shechem.
5 As they set out, a terror from God spread over the people in all the towns of that area, so no one attacked Jacob’s family.
6 Eventually, Jacob and his household arrived at Luz (also called Bethel) in Canaan.
7 Jacob built an altar there and named the place El-bethel (which means “God of Bethel”), because God had appeared to him there when he was fleeing from his brother, Esau.
a. They got rid of all of their idols.
b. They purified themselves.
c. They changed clothes, a symbol of what they had done with inward purification.
2. Making the choice to get back on track with following Christ entails some conscious decisions.
a. Get rid of all of our idols.
(1 John 5:21)
21 Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.
(Col 3:5)
5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.
b. Purify ourselves through confession of our sins.
(Prov 28:13)
13 People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.
(1 John 1:9)
9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
c. Make outward changes that reflect the inward purification that has taken place.
(1 Pet 2:12)
12 Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.
(Matt 3:8)
8 Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.
CONCLUSION:
