Questionable Behavior

January 17, 2009

Today's Reading: Genesis 33-34 and Matthew 12

I’ve been noticing a certain theme to my last few entries. I’ve been critical of the actions of Jacob, often noting that they are selfish and cowardly, and I suppose it would have been proven even more valid with today’s reading. However, it wasn’t Jacob doing the action, but his sons.

It was a terrible set-up. Jacob’s daughter Dinah had been raped, and now the rapist has the gaul to ask for her hand in marriage. Apparently, Jacob didn’t see any problem in giving her away, provided all the males of Hamor’s family get circumcised. Then, while they were still in pain, Simeon and Levi have a massacre.

I have to admit, that plan is actually pretty clever, albeit diabolical. Jacob was always a little Machiavellian in his dealings, but this is a new low. I suppose I could blame the father, but personally, I’m rooting for Simeon and Levi.

I mean, Dinah was violated, for crying out loud. Sometimes it is hard to ignore the instinct for revenge in situations like this. I kind of noticed that the story conveniently ends after Jacob’s lecture. What was Jacob’s next line after his sons claimed they were doing the right thing.

I actually hope it was something like: “You’re right. I wish you weren’t, but you are.”

Why do I even bring this up? I’ve noticed that there are a lot of people in the Bible do things that I wouldn’t do. Think of David and all the blood he shed in battle, and all of that. But the weird thing is that even with our questionable behavior, God uses it.

For example, when all the people ask for a sign, Jesus tells them that he will give a sign of Jonah. Yet here’s the deal: if Jonah had actually done what God said, there would be no sign of Jonah. As you may recall, Jonah was in the whale because he wasn’t going in the right direction.

So why does God use people who have questionable behavior? Well, he doesn’t have any other option. I guess he could just leave all the work to angels, but then humanity would have absolutely no control of its own destiny.

I suppose this would be a good time to lecture you on avoiding “questionable behavior”. The problem is, it is hard to tell people to stop doing things that could be a part of God’s plan. I guess I don’t have much of case for that, so I would probably say this: Do what you can to make certain your behavior is right, but if it isn’t, it might (emphasis on might) play a small part in God’s plan.