Introductory Comments The fight against sin and temptation is a fundamental element of the Christian life and it is a fundamental fight that we never stop fighting until we cross the finish line. Many faint at the first sound of shots, others fall out along the way, but even some are shot down near the […]
Jesus
The Doctrine of Providence And Its Practical Application In The Christian Life
INTRODUCTION It was C. H. Spurgeon, the Prince of Preachers, who once said that “the Sovereignty of God is the pillow upon which the child of God rests his head at night, giving perfect peace.” To know that God is completely in control of all things is the greatest comfort for the Christian. This paper […]
Commentary and Gospel Thoughts on Genesis 39v1-6a
In Genesis 39 the narrative focus shifts back to Joseph, after a short detour in chapter 38 (of which provides stark contrasts with chapter 39). Verse 1: This chapter begins by picking up right where the end of chapter 37 left off; with Joseph being sold to Potiphar, an Egyptian, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain […]
The Depth of Mercy in the Pits of Sin
Genesis 34 narrates the darkest hours of Jacob’s life. Not only in terms of things that happen to him, but also in terms of his own sin in response to those things. His only daughter, Dinah, is raped. Jacob responds with what seems like apathy – clearly the rotten fruit of favoritism (Dinah being Leah’s […]
Favor with God
In Genesis 34 there is a young man named Shechem who rapes Jacob’s daughter, Dinah. It is a terrible thing. Strangely, Shechem falls in love with Dinah, the girl he most certainly did not love while he was taking advantage of her. In love as he is, Shechem goes to Jacob to seek Dinah’s hand […]