Read: Genesis 34
This chapter
is quite disturbing as it includes a sinful incident that violates Jacob’s
daughter. Dinah, the daughter of Leah
was raped by Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite. While the rape of Dinah was inexcusable,
Simeon and Levi dished out a punishment that was also intolerable, although
they felt they were justified in their action.
The chapter begins by mentioning that Dinah went out to see the women of
the land (v. 1). The scriptures tell us
that Shechem seized Dinah and lay with her and humiliated her (v. 2). There was no consent on the part of Dinah as
this was an act of violence and it seems as though she was kept there until her
brothers set her free late in the chapter.
Shechem now desired to make Dinah his wife (v. 4). So Hamor, Shechem’s father, went to Jacob to
discuss this possibility (v. 6). Jacob
did not react but rather kept his wits about him (v. 5) however, Jacob’s sons
were indignant and very angry (v. 7).
Hamor suggested that these peoples intermarry, dwell together and trade
with each other (v. 10) and Shechem agreed to pay any dowry or gift that Jacob
wishes (v. 12) so that he could marry Dinah.
Jacob’s sons reply deceitfully requesting that the men of their city all
become circumcised (v. 14). Although it
is correct for them to require circumcision in order for both groups to become
one people, their intention was actually otherwise. It is sad to see how these brothers used a
holy principle as a cloak for their deceitful and murderous purposes. This shows the depth of their
wickedness. Hamor and Shechem are
pleased by this and so they spoke to all the men of their city and told them
that they could intermarry if they agreed to become circumcised (v. 22). So, they all became circumcised (v. 24). Hamor and Shechem were deceived by Jacob’s
sons who were ready to use the soreness of their circumcision to their own
advantage. While they were recovering
from the circumcision and unable to defend themselves, Simeon and Levi killed
all the males in the city (v. 25) including Hamor and Shechem and they released
Dinah from Shechem’s house and went away (v. 27). The sons of Jacob plundered the city taking
flocks, herds, donkeys and whatever was in the city and the field (v. 28)
including their wealth, their children and
their wives (v. 29). Jacob was enraged
by what happened as he saw the consequences for his household, fearing that the
Canaanites and the Perizzites might attack (v. 30). Even still, Simeon and Levi felt justified in
their actions (v. 31) and showed no signs of repentance. This chapter was included in the Bible to
show the children of Israel why the promised Messiah would come from Jacob’s
fourth son, Judah, and not from his first three sons. The first three were all disqualified due to
their sinful actions (see Gen. 49).
We’ll learn about how Reuben was disqualified from being the Messianic
line in the next chapter.
Prayer and Journaling
1. It
was wicked of Shechem to be overcome with lust and to force himself on
Dinah. No woman should experience this
sort of violence against herself. This
type of violation can have lasting effects on a person, yet the Lord can heal
and restore even these wounds. Pray for
the women in society who have been mistreated by men. Pray that they would find healing and restoration
in the church and that they would be able to work through the terrible pain
they have experienced and find freedom through Jesus.
2. It
was corrupt of the sons of Jacob to slay the whole tribe for the offence of one
man. These brothers thought that they
were doing right, but they were being reactive and not acting with wisdom or
discretion. Yes sin must be dealt with,
but on God’s terms, not through human vengeance. Ask the Lord to show you time where you took
matters into your own hands and dealt with a wrong against you (or your kids)
by hurting another. You probably didn’t
kill anybody but you may have spoken a harsh word or ignored someone or done
something else. Repent of any desires
that you have had to take revenge and repent of any times where you have taken
revenge. Then ask the Lord to heal and
restore the person who you wounded.
3. Verse
13 tells us that Jacob’s sons replied deceitfully – like father, like son! As parents we need to break generational
strongholds of sin in our lives so that they don’t get passed down to our
children. We do this by first
acknowledging our sin and confessing it.
The following are lists of things that can be generationally inherited:
· General Health Predispositions - high blood
pressure, heart problems, diabetes, cancer, etc.
· Temperament - shyness, aggressiveness, anxiety,
fear, etc.
· Spiritual Weaknesses – attitudes or behaviors
· Demonic Influences and Curses
Often the big issues that we deal with
in our lives are generational, meaning that they have been problems for our
parents, grandparents or even great-grandparents. These things often become problems for our
children too. Ask the Holy Spirit to
reveal to you any generational issues that are affecting you or your children
(write them down in your journal, don’t discard anything – even if it seems to
be irrational or insignificant). Now go
through each, one by one, confessing and breaking any generational tie that may
exist. For bigger issues, commit to
doing this regularly or commit to going to after service prayer.
