Bible Commentaries
Genesis 33

Verse 20

Genesis 33:20 ; Genesis 34:1

In erecting this altar Jacob both set up a witness against the false worship and idolatry of the people among whom he dwelt, and at the same time provided a church or centre of unity for all his numerous family and dependents in the regular service of Jehovah. But the enticements of the world were too great, and prevailed to bring misery and sin into his home. This chapter points out the danger to which young persons are exposed, of being deluded and led away, first by vain curiosity and then by worldly and carnal lusts, to misery and ruin; and this through the influence especially of bad example.

I. When Dinah went to visit the daughters of the land, we may well suppose that she was weary of the quiet, uniform course of life kept up at her father's house. Her father's authority and wishes being set aside, she went out without God's blessing, and misery and ruin followed. This represents: (1) the guilt and punishment which Christian people make themselves liable to when they disregard the authority of those whom the providence of God has placed over them. (2) The danger of becoming tired of Christianity.

II. Two cautions suggest themselves from the study of this chapter. (1) We must learn to look on Almighty God, through Jesus Christ, as our only true Father and Friend. (2) In the service of God we must not expect to find all plain and easy, but quite otherwise: the more earnestly and steadily we serve God, the more trials we must expect to encounter.

Plain Sermons by Contributors to "Tracts for the Times," vol. x., p. 296.

References: Genesis 33:0 F. W. Robertson, Notes on Genesis, p. 116; R. S. Candlish, Book of Genesis, vol. ii., p. 84.Genesis 33:4 . R. C. Trench, Brief Thoughts and Meditations, p. 55.Genesis 33:5 . Christian World Pulpit, vol. xxviii., p. 305.Genesis 33:9 , Genesis 33:11 , Genesis 33:13 . Spurgeon, My Sermon Notes, pp. 19, 21.Genesis 33:14 . F. R. Havergal, Sunday Magazine (1879), p. 918. Genesis 33:17 . R. S. Candlish, Book of Genesis, vol. ii., p. 93.Genesis 33:20 . Plain Sermons by Contributors to the "Tracts for the limes," vol. x., p. 296. Genesis 34:31 . R. S. Candlish, Book of Genesis, vol. ii., p. 93.Genesis 35:1 . Spurgeon, Sermons, vol. xxiv., No. 1395.Genesis 35:3 . J. Van Oosterzee, The Year of Salvation, vol. ii., p. 366. Genesis 35:5-11 . Homiletic Magazine, vol. xi., p. 8.