Dads, Teach Your Sons to be Men

"Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, 'You have brought trouble on me by making me odious among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites; and my men being few in number, they will gather together against me and attack me and I will be destroyed, I and my household.' But they said, 'Should he treat our sister as a harlot?'" -Genesis 34.30-31

Simeon and Levi return, and their father has some words for them. He is upset because of their actions and the possible ramifications they could have on him. But here's the thing, it's all his fault. Jacob didn't act when he should have, and his sons took action because he wouldn't.

I wonder if Jacob might be feeling guilty. He should have acted and didn't. His sons acted, but not in the way they should have. A city is now dead. And Jacob could have changed all of this, had he simply acted. He's the face of the covenant now. God was with him, and would have been with him as he sought justice, and yet he does nothing.

Abraham took action, he led his men into battle to save Lot. Isaac took action as well, he moved on and kept digging wells. And now when it's Jacob's turn, he is silent and does nothing. But when his sons do something he confronts them. It was his place to act and he doesn't do a thing. They took the wrong course of action, and it's his fault.

Men, it's our place to teach our sons how to be men. It's our place to show them how to control their anger and flee from revenge. It's our place to show them that a man comforts the hurt, and seeks justice for the oppressed. It's our place to show them that a man acts, and show them how to act correctly. When we don't we leave them to figure it out for themselves, and without a man to guide them they most likely don't do things the way a man should.

Men, teach your sons to act and show them how. That way when they do they won't make you odious to the inhabitants of the land. They will know what a man is supposed to do, and they will have the courage to do it because they have watched and learned from you. Teach your sons to be men.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Dad, Play the Man

"Shechem also said to her father and to her brothers, 'If I find favor in your sight, then I will give whatever you say to me. Ask me ever so much bridal payment and gift, and I will give according as you say to me; but give me the girl in marriage.' But Jacob’s sons answered Shechem and his father Hamor with deceit, because he had defiled Dinah their sister." -Genesis 34.11-13

First Jacob does nothing about his daughter's rape. And now when he is confronted by her attacker and his father he remains silent. Shechem speaks directly to him and makes a request for her hand, and it is Dinah's brothers that speak up. Where is the father in all of this? Where is "he who strives with God"?

When dad refuses to act, sons feel the need to step up and take on the role that dad has left void. Jacob should be dealing with this situation. But we never see that he comforts his daughter, and not surprising, we don't see him seek justice on her behalf. When dad refuses to play the man, his sons will try. The problem is a boy is not ready to be a man yet, and great damage comes from making him grow up too fast.

The brothers aren't thinking clearly, they are blinded by anger, in this case hatred is probably more accurate. They have a plan to get revenge, their idea of justice, and without a father to guide them in how to properly take action here, bad things are about to unfold.

Men, if God has blessed you with a family, play the man. Protect and comfort your daughters. Lead and guide your sons. Your role is to make the world safe for them with your strength. Your role is to teach them how to live in society. Your role is to lead them into Christlikeness. If you remain silent, they are left to figure it out for themselves. They aren't equipped to be able to do that, that's why God gave them to you. Don't fail them. Play the man.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor