1) Jacob's choices come up short of full devotion to God - 33:18-20 But the problem occurs when we discover that Jacob stays in Shechem for a long time. In Chapter 34 Jacob is still living in Shechem and we know a lot of time has passed because Dinah is a teenager. Back in Genesis 28, Jacob had promised God that he would worship God in Bethel when he returned to the land of Canaan. Shechum is 20 miles north of Bethel. One days journey. Jacob comes up one day short of fulfilling his vow. 2) Partial devotion to God brings devastating consequences - chapter 34
Chapter 34 is a very bleak chapter. Jacob's partial devotion to God will bring some devastating consequences to his family and the people around him and we see that these years of partial devotion has already weakened Jacob's spiritual life. Throughout chapter 34, Jacob is spiritually weak and passive. It appears he is providing no spiritual leadership for his family. The only time Jacob does speak up he displays selfishness and lack of faith. 3) God helps Jacob become fully devoted - chapter 35 God did not leave Jacob to continue in his sinful lifestyle. God calls Jacob to go to Bethel. Once again God reaches down into Jacob's misery and sinfulness and points him in the direction of blessing. Jacob, you have lived in partial devotion long enough, it is time to fulfill your vow and come to Bethel. Application = God is calling us to be fully devoted to Christ.
-take up your cross -no one can serve two masters -do not love the world What obedience is God calling you to that you have yet to obey? Through trials and blessings, God graciously brings us to a place of full devotion to Christ.
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Jathan Newton
Fully Devoted Undeserved Blessing Abounding Grace Church
Jathan Newton was born and raised in Indianapolis. God saved Jathan at a young age through the preaching of the gospel and instruction of his parents. He received a B.S. in Civil Engineering at Purdue University where he met and married Melissa. During Jathan’s college years,...
