Genesis
Genesis 34
Just a few chapters ago, the first twelve children of Jacob are listed. Out of twelve kids, only one of them was a girl, Dinah. This is her story. Would you stop right now and read the entire chapter of Genesis 34? It will only take a moment, and the story is captivating and horrible, all at the same time. After you have read it, start reading the article.
Even though Jacob has been called to Bethel, he decides to set up near the city of Shechem. It is in this context, that the rape and dishonor of Dinah happens. One has to wonder if this would have even happened if Jacob had gone to Bethel. Regardless, the city they were now living near would be the source of all kinds of trouble for Jacob now and in the future.
Shortly after the rape, the abuser and his family ask for a meeting with Jacob. At first glance, one has to ask why Jacob was “holding his peace.”? Was he waiting for his sons to arrive so that they would have his back, or was Jacob plotting and planning until he had the upper hand? Regardless, this obvious passivity and the aggrievance infuriate Jacob’s sons. The response from Shechem (the abuser) and His father offers no apology, but instead they ask for Dinah’s hand in marriage.
Pulling one from Jacob’s handbook, the sons of Jacob ask Shechem and his fellow citizens to be circumcised to qualify to marry Dinah. Of course, it was just a ploy to weaken them. Once they had gone through with the painful procedure and were on the mend, Simeon and Levi killed every one of them.
As Jacob finds out about what has happened, he is enraged. One has to wonder where this anger was when Dinah was raped. Why is he enraged now? He is concerned that surrounding cities will attack him and his family because of what Simeon and Levi have done.
What is to learn from this horrible incident?
1. When God-appointed leaders don’t step to the plate and lead, a void is created, and the result is often filled with sin. The family should have not been even near the city, and where was Jacob’s anger when he heard about his daughter being raped? Why didn’t he stop the deception? Hindsight is 20/20, and looking back, we have SO many questions about Jacob’s leadership. So did his boys, so they filled the vacuum.
2. Vengeance is mine.[1] Scripture echoes this principle from Genesis to Revelation. The Bible is describing what Jacob’s sons did in revenge, but it is by no means condoning it. This quick-planned action really puts the entire family in danger of being attacked by other cities. This shows us one of the many reasons that vengeance is the Lord’s and not ours to have. Revenge becomes a never-ending cycle, and this rings true for Simeon and Levi. This act would never leave them.[2]
3. There is pain in the process. It is a part of life that we all hope we will avoid, but there will be pain and sorrow as we process and transition to heaven.[3] However, on this side of Jesus, we can take heart because He has overcome the world.
Absent leadership. Disobedience. Rape. Deception. Spiritual Manipulation. Revenge. Selfishness. All of this happened in Genesis 34, yet this is STILL the family that God will use to bless the nations.
We are reminded again that God uses broken people. Why? That is the only kind there is. And that is exactly why Jesus came. Every bit of brokenness in this story points to One who could put it all together.
This is the Bible. Every word on every page whispers the name Jesus.
By Pastor Daniel Weeks
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[1] Deuteronomy 32:35 ESV
[2] Genesis 49:5-7 ESV
[3] John 16:33 ESV