Genesis 34:13 – 24 “But because Shechem had defiled their sister Dinah, Jacob’s sons answered him and his father Hamor deceitfully. “We cannot do such a thing,” they said. “To give our sister to an uncircumcised man would be a disgrace to us. We will consent to this on one condition, that you become circumcised like us—every one of your males. Then we will give you our daughters and take your daughters for ourselves. We will dwell among you and become one people. But if you will not agree to be circumcised, then we will take our sister and go.”
Their offer seemed good to Hamor and his son Shechem. The young man, who was the most respected of all his father’s household, did not hesitate to fulfill this request, because he was delighted with Jacob’s daughter.
So Hamor and his son Shechem went to the gate of their city and addressed the men of their city: “These men are at peace with us. Let them live and trade in our land; indeed, it is large enough for them. Let us take their daughters in marriage and give our daughters to them. But only on this condition will the men agree to dwell with us and be one people: if all our men are circumcised as they are. Will not their livestock, their possessions, and all their animals become ours? Only let us consent to them, and they will dwell among us.”
All the men who went out of the city gate listened to Hamor and his son Shechem, and every male of the city was circumcised.”
Jacob is NOT the only tricky one in the family! Jacob’s sons are plotting revenge. Shechem, the son of the prince of the Hivites, has raped their sister Dinah. The brothers want to place all the blame on Shechem, rather than acknowledge that they are partially responsible for this tragedy by failing to protect Dinah as they should have. So the brothers cook up a scheme; they promise to not only give Dinah in marriage to Shechem but also to become “one people” with the Hivites if the Hivite males will undergo circumcision. The Hivite elders think this is a great deal. Circumcision only hurts for a few days and Jacob’s family is very rich. By undergoing circumcision, the Hivites will have access to Jacob’s fortune. This decision is a tragic mistake.
v. 25 – 31 “Three days later, while they were still in pain, two of Jacob’s sons (Dinah’s brothers Simeon and Levi) took their swords, went into the unsuspecting city, and slaughtered every male. They killed Hamor and his son Shechem with their swords, took Dinah out of Shechem’s house, and went away.
Jacob’s other sons came upon the slaughter and looted the city, because their sister had been defiled. They took their flocks and herds and donkeys, and everything else in the city or in the field. They carried off all their possessions and women and children, and they plundered everything in their houses.
Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have brought trouble upon me by making me repugnant to the Canaanites and Perizzites, the people of this land. We are few in number; if they unite against me and attack me, I and my household will be destroyed.”
But Simeon and Levi answered, “Should he have treated our sister like a prostitute?”
Simeon and Levi are Dinah’s direct brothers; Leah is their mother. Interestingly enough, Leah actually bore six sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulon. Simeon and Levi are the ones who slaughter every male and rescue Dinah from Hamor’s house. All the other brothers show up in chime to loot the city and destroy it, carrying off the women and children and all the possessions.
Is vengeance ever justified? Romans 12:17 – 19 says, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”
Could Jacob have handled this situation differently? God may have given Jacob the new name of Israel, but Jacob is still being manipulative. How did Jacob present the situation to his sons when they returned from the field? It’s likely that Jacob told the story in a manner calculated to appeal to the pride of his sons. When Simeon and Levi are asking their question, are they simply echoing something Jacob has already said? Is Jacob really that unhappy that his sons have wreaked havoc on this city, or is he a bit smug? The Hivite city is wiped out and their plunder now belongs to Jacob’s family; meanwhile, Jacob’s hands are technically clean. One person who is never heard from in this story is Dinah. Would Dinah have married her rapist? We never hear about Dinah again.
APPLICATION: Terrible things happen every day. Many people find themselves or their family members victims of violent crimes. Those who do best are those who forgive and move beyond the horror of the crime. Many have testified that they have found healing when they have prayed for the perpetrators for spiritual and emotional healing. Perhaps you are facing a terrible situation now. Your business or your neighborhood have been destroyed. Let God handle the vengeance. You pray for those who have hurt you and let God heal you as you do so.
PRAYER: Father God, some of us have spent years in pain from horrible crimes committed against us or our families. Lord, help us to forgive the criminals and let you handle them in your wisdom. Help us to heal. In the mighty Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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