DCLM Daily Manna 2023: DCLM Daily Manna 29 April 2023: Unbridled Anger

DCLM Daily Manna 2023: DCLM Daily Manna 29 April 2023: Unbridled Anger

Key Verse: “And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brethren, took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males.” – (Genesis 34:25)

TEXT: Genesis 34:13-26

13 And the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father deceitfully, and said, because he had defiled Dinah their sister:

14 And they said unto them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; for that were a reproach unto us:

15 But in this will we consent unto you: If ye will be as we be, that every male of you be circumcised;

16 Then will we give our daughters unto you, and we will take your daughters to us, and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people.

17 But if ye will not hearken unto us, to be circumcised; then will we take our daughter, and we will be gone.

18 And their words pleased Hamor, and Shechem Hamor’s son.

19 And the young man deferred not to do the thing, because he had delight in Jacob’s daughter: and he was more honourable than all the house of his father.

20 And Hamor and Shechem his son came unto the gate of their city, and communed with the men of their city, saying,

21 These men are peaceable with us; therefore let them dwell in the land, and trade therein; for the land, behold, it is large enough for them; let us take their daughters to us for wives, and let us give them our daughters.

22 Only herein will the men consent unto us for to dwell with us, to be one people, if every male among us be circumcised, as they are circumcised.

23 Shall not their cattle and their substance and every beast of their’s be our’s? only let us consent unto them, and they will dwell with us.

24 And unto Hamor and unto Shechem his son hearkened all that went out of the gate of his city; and every male was circumcised, all that went out of the gate of his city.

25 And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brethren, took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males.

26 And they slew Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah out of Shechem’s house, and went out.

27 The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city, because they had defiled their sister.

28 They took their sheep, and their oxen, and their asses, and that which was in the city, and that which was in the field,

29 And all their wealth, and all their little ones, and their wives took they captive, and spoiled even all that was in the house.

Read yesterday’s Daily Manna here

Anger is a terrible human weakness that has far-reaching consequences. It not only causes harm and destruction in others, but also has short and long-term harmful effects on the person who displays it. Uncontrolled anger increases anxiety, high blood pressure and headache, and can cause more severe and permanent damage to one’s health and life. It puts the heart at great risk, ups one’s stroke risk, weakens the immune system and can result in sudden death. It is something to avoid at all costs.

Shechem, the son of Hamor the Hivite, defiled Dinah, Jacob’s daughter an act considered an abomination in Israel. After the act, he came to have her as wife. Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brothers, answered them deceitfully, urging them to circumcise themselves in order to be qualified to have Dinah. However, the two sons of Jacob took advantage of their sore wound and weakness and killed all the males and spoilt the city.

While there is nothing to justify Shechem’s action, there is nothing also to justify the foolish angry display of Jacob’s sons. “Two wrongs”, they say, “do not make a right”. Anger leads to errors of judgment and all forms of other sins, including murder. The damage it causes most times far outweighs what causes it. It is important to be thoughtful and not to be rash in acting when under any form of provocation.

This is where the grace of God comes in. Ferocious and uncontrollable anger is not a character consistent with anyone that has truly received the grace of God. As believers, we must learn to be like Christ during provocation. We need His gentle, meek and calm disposition. We must allow our hearts to be filled with the love of God and learn to be patient, tolerant and forgiving.