Catastrophe in Canaan

Genesis 34. Yesterday, in Genesis 33:17, Jacob moved to Succoth and built a house. God had told him to go to Bethel, but he didn't do what God asked of him. As a result, this chapter is a catastrophe in Jacob and his family's life. Jacob built a house in Succoth, and then moved to Shechem (housing market must have been good; it was time to sell)(Genesis 33:18-19). And though he pitched a tent in Shechem, the Scripture is reminding us that Jacob is settling down in the land; settling down in the world. It's obvious that Jacob wasn't in a hurry to obey God and return to Bethel. We commend him for erecting an altar and giving public witness of his faith (Genesis 33:20), but sacrifice is no substitute for obedience (1 Sam.15:22).

It appears that Jacob had intentions of going on to Bethel, but his delays are costly. And delayed obedience is DISOBEDIENCE. Let me just pause here a minute and give you a good definition of obedience: Obedience is doing what God tells you to do, when He tells you, and with the right attitude! Much of what Christians call obedience is really disobedience. And disobedience has catastrophic consequences. This chapter is riddled with those kinds of consequences: rape, murder, lies, deceit, are the obvious ones. One consequence you may overlook was Jacob's lost testimony. What good was it for Jacob to build an altar and worship the true God before his pagan neighbors if his children were going to act like pagans?

Yes, this is a chapter riddled with catastrophe, but oh what valuable lessons we learn--the primary ones--THIS WORLD IS NOT OUR HOME, and--LET US OBEY GOD--according to the definition above! Are you settling down in this world? Are you getting comfortable here? Are you delaying in some decision that God has clearly spoken? Then be forewarned, catastrophic consequences are just around the corner!