Genesis 34

He breaks over the hedge where it is lowest. As the sons of Jacob came upon the Shechemites when they were sore, and could make no resistance (Genesis 34:25). At two times Satan comes upon us in our weakness.

Achan (Joshua 7:21): When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them and took them. First he saw, then he coveted, then he took them, then he hid them, then Israel falls a…

As Christ taxes those (John 6): You did not seek me but the loaves — to have respect to the loaves more than to Christ, or as much as to Christ, is to have no respect at all to Christ. Thus when the Shechemites (Genesis 34:23) admitted of circumcision, and so gave up themselves…

He suffered no man to do them wrong; yea, he reproved kings for their sakes, saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm." This preservation was in some instances especially very remarkable; those instances that we have an account of, wherein the people of the la…

If the Members of Christ be sick, or in Prison, they may there perish and starve, before they will relieve them; but to obtain their Lusts, Oh how expensive! Ask me never so much and I will give it, said S[•]echem, Genesis 34:12. Ask what you will, and it shall be given you, sai…

6. The very heathen have observed the equity hereof. Though Shechem loved Dinah, and had deflowered her, yet would he not marry her without the consent of his and her father (Genesis 34:3, etc.). Ishmael had learned as much either by the instruction he had received out of Abraha…

In regard of their good who reprove, it is said, To them that rebuke shall be delight (that is, much comfort and matter of rejoicing, so as they shall not need to repent what they have done) and a blessing of good shall come upon them (Proverbs 24:25), that is, either a blessing…

First saw, then coveted, then took, and then hid, and then Israel falls before the Philistines, and he is attached by loss and brought to judgment. So Shechem and Dinah, (Genesis 34:2) and when Shechem the son of Hamor, the Hivite prince of the country saw her, he took her and l…

Whatever you do, keep a good conscience toward God and men, and though the children of this world should call you fools, yet they will call themselves fools another day, for calling you so now: it is undoubtedly better and more profitable to please God than men; and what will it…

4. Death is corrupting, it brings the body to corruption, and makes it so loathsome, that we say of our dearest relations (as Abraham of Sarah when she was dead) bury her out of my sight; death makes every man say to the worm, you are my mother, and to corruption and putrefactio…

Sin degrees itself into a greatness, and multiplies into a number: if we abhor not the garment, we may be (as it) spotted with the flesh: if we withdraw not from occasions of evil, we may by the occasions be drawn to evil; and in not abstaining from appearances of evil, be broug…

As Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and it seemed short and time little because he loved her (Genesis 29:20). Ask me what you will for dowry, said [reconstructed: Shechem], Hamor's son, and I will give it, only give me the maid (Genesis 34:12). Among men in ordinary conversa…

If your [illegible] heart conceives it will cost the setting on, the loss of [illegible] eye or a hand — some darling content that must be [illegible] and cast away before you can come to it — [illegible] brace yourself, and help your soul over all these [illegible] difficulties…

Some out of novelty and curiosity have gone to hear errors and have come home with the plague in their heads. When Dinah went out gadding, she lost her chastity (Genesis 34:2). A pure heart, foreseeing the danger, avoids the appearance of evil.

Their daughters and their cattle were that which they sought to obtain, and their religion the stalking-horse they made use of to come at them. Read the whole story, Genesis 34:20-24. 2. The hypocritical Pharisees were also of this religion: long prayers were their pretence, but…