Be With Me: 7 Minutes of Biblical Wonder

Ironically, in the tragic rape of Dinah, she is the only one who comes out of the story unscathed by sin. Others are stricken with anger, murder, passivity, dismissal of value, and sexual crimes. The Bible faces this unpalatable topic head on. Listen 7 minutes with me as we learn from it. 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNijvDWAn2Wv2KFun2AnvCA

The truth is, everybody knows rape is wrong. Even before "the Law" is given to mankind, God equipped every human with a conscience  and a heart that is pre-loaded with moral truth. Regarding the rape in our passage today, everybody knows it is wrong, even before there are laws on the books. It is amazing that the Bible addresses this right from the start. Please listen or watch: 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNijvDWAn2Wv2KFun2AnvCA

Genesis describes a horrible sexual assault, a rape, of Jacob's daughter Dinah.  It treats this story as a horrible event with dire consequences for individuals and nations. We have lessons to learn here about morality and moral absolutes. Personally, I grieve with you if you have been involved in anything like this assault. Thank you for joining me here for 7 minutes as we start this story.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNijvDWAn2Wv2KFun2AnvCA

Today we’ll see where Jacob Israel goes with his new limp. Israel (person aka Jacob) brings Israel the new nation (16 people) to Israel (place). All three of the promises to his grandfather Abraham are starting to come together.  There, he builds an altar.  It's a ME altar.  It is the altar OF ME, but it is not the altar FOR ME.  It is the altar FOR GOD, who has been so gracious TO ME. 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNijvDWAn2Wv2KFun2AnvCA

We've all got "limps" from previous life injuries.  The question is, what do we do with them? Join me for 7 minutes to hear the charge from Jacob's life: Walk with your limp. Don't move on FROM the limp, but move on WITH the limp. As we go, we best try to give GRACE to those around us who are limping too. 

here is the video: 
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNijvDWAn2Wv2KFun2AnvCA

The desire to lead is a beautiful thing. Few are willing to truly lead because of the cost. It involves wrestling, dislocation, limping, personal peril and humility.  Jacob leads by bowing down.  It makes all the difference Watch 7 minutes: 

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Internal spiritual change has EXTERNAL markers.  Jacob claims internal change. Let's see how he does with his behavior. Change is the hardest thing in the world. Watch 7 minutes as we see Jacob be brave, and bow down. 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNijvDWAn2Wv2KFun2AnvCA

Struggling with God is NORMATIVE CHRISTIAN BEHAVIOR. Jacob gets a new name, ISRAEL when he does it.  Guess what, it means STRUGGLING WITH GOD. It is not an insult, but a CHARACTERISTIC. And, it is not just for him. Struggle, often in bad circumstances, IS THE DEFINING CHARACTERISTIC of Christianity. If you are struggling a bit, listen or watch for 7 minutes to hear you are normal:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNijvDWAn2Wv2KFun2AnvCA

It is no surprise that Jacob has to "wrestle" and strive when he interacts with the infinite Being.  We are mere mortals.  What IS a surprise is that GOD ALLOWS IT; that He "wrestles back" Listen or watch 7 minutes as we learn about a God who "wrestles back" kindly with Jacob.
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Wrestling with God is an activity to know Him; to pursue Him; to not let Him go. Jacob does so to give us encouragement to do so as well. He gives us the green light to fight and engage a bit with God Himself. It effects everything from that day forward.

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