Most adults have faced the crushing experience of being cheated by someone we trusted. It might have been a close friend or we may have fallen for the claims of an unethical salesman. We walk a tightrope between wanting to remain trusting and optimistic in our dealings with others, while at the same time not wishing to be exploited. God put us all into a “Garden of Eden” to work it and look after it (Genesis 2:15) One of our missions is to extract a living from an often reluctant earth. God thus ordained it because by making our own living in an honest and ethical manner, we can’t help but benefit other human beings. But there truly is no free lunch. If we train ourselves to resist trying to get something for nothing and we realize that anything that seems too good to be true usually is, we can better protect ourselves. Becoming alert to deceitful language is an important skill that Scripture teaches us. Let’s watch a con man in action: In a complicated few verses, Shechem, the son of Hamor, rapes Jacob’s daughter, Dina, and then wishes to marry her. Hamor speaks to Jacob and his sons. Intermarry with us; your daughters you will give to us and our daughters you will take for yourselves. (Genesis 34:9) Ignoring the fact that Dina was already forcibly taken, this seems to be quite a generous offer. Hamor offers Jacob and his sons a deal that will allow them to retain control of the relationship. Jacob and his sons will give their daughters and take the daughters of Hamor’s city, but only if they choose to do so. Things seem quite different only a few verses later, when Hamor and his son Shechem speak to their own people. This time they say: ...their daughters we will take for ourselves as wives and our daughters we will give to them. (Genesis 34: 20-21) Who is in control now? There is another difference between how Hamor speaks to Jacob’s family and to his own people. He mentions to both parties that in addition to intermarriage, there will be economic benefits in joining up. However, he reverses the order. To Jacob’s family, upset at the way Dina was treated, the emphasis is on marriage. Economics are secondary. To his own people, the financial ramifications are given priority followed by the marriage incentive. Ancient Jewish wisdom labels the first change in language as deceitful, but not the second. What can we learn? By promising each faction that it alone would be in control of the marriages, Hamor reveals himself as a liar. He cannot fulfill one promise without breaking the other. They contradict each other. Salesmen or politicians who commit to certain things while speaking to one group and commit to exactly the opposite while speaking to another are deceitful and dangerous. But in stressing marriage over economics or vice versa, Hamor isn’t doing anything wrong. If you are selling your house and focus on proximity to schools for a couple with children and on local golf courses to an older couple, you are simply paying attention to each one’s interests. As long as there are both schools and golf courses, you are behaving ethically. Making a profit, getting elected or getting married can all be achieved honestly or through underhanded tactics. It is important to learn how to interpret language and recognize signs of deceit in all our human interactions. Starting from the question of why they are called the Ten Commandments only twice in the Five Books of Moses while they are referred to as the two tablets about thirty times, I provide insights that I know you will find mind-boggling. This CD along with my book, Thou Shall Prosper, which is on sale for only one more day, provides a clear sense of how one can flourish economically while always relating with faithfulness and integrity toward others.
| Warning: My husband insists that people do not want to hear stories about my grandchildren. If I stretch my imagination, I concede that there may some people who feel this way. If he is accurately describing you, I suggest that you skip this week’s blog. To read the rest of Susan's Musings click here |
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