Deceit & Payback
Genesis 34
My Thoughts
This chapter is quite a bit different from the last. It doesn't really fit wit what happened previously, now does it? Last was a brotherly reunion and now we have Jacob's daughter being violated by the son of the king of the region where they were living.
Shechem's heart was drawn to Dinah and he wanted her for himself. The problem is that he violated her instead going to her father. Then, after violating her, he decides that he wants her as his wife. Did he seriously think that Dinah's father or brothers would be happy and allow this? Boy was he sadly mistaken.
Dinah's brothers deceitfully told Shechem that they would give their sister to him if they circumcised themselves. They foolishly agreed. Though I guess that does show how much Shechem really did want Dinah. Either way, this was said in deceit. They did not actually plan to give Dinah to Shechem, but to attack him and his city.
So two days later, Simeon and Levi went and attacked the city, killing all the men. Now was this right of them? No, probably not. Jacob wasn't too happy with them either. He was worried that other nations around would retaliate. But their response to their father was "Should Shechem have been allowed to treat our sister like a prostitute?"
So there's a couple things here. Shechem violates Dinah. Dinah's brothers not only lie to trick Shechem, but then they attack the whole city, killing all the men. Geez, that's definitely how protective they are of their sister! Did the whole city deserve to suffer though? I don't think I would say so. Maybe Shechem deserved it, and maybe his father Hamor because he didn't find any fault with his son. That still doesn't really make it right what Simeon and Levi did.
The only thing is that Simeon and Levi hadn't attacked the city, Dinah probably would have suffered more. So they saved their sister, but maybe not in the best way possibly. I still think that they went a little bit overkill.
Shechem's heart was drawn to Dinah and he wanted her for himself. The problem is that he violated her instead going to her father. Then, after violating her, he decides that he wants her as his wife. Did he seriously think that Dinah's father or brothers would be happy and allow this? Boy was he sadly mistaken.
Dinah's brothers deceitfully told Shechem that they would give their sister to him if they circumcised themselves. They foolishly agreed. Though I guess that does show how much Shechem really did want Dinah. Either way, this was said in deceit. They did not actually plan to give Dinah to Shechem, but to attack him and his city.
So two days later, Simeon and Levi went and attacked the city, killing all the men. Now was this right of them? No, probably not. Jacob wasn't too happy with them either. He was worried that other nations around would retaliate. But their response to their father was "Should Shechem have been allowed to treat our sister like a prostitute?"
So there's a couple things here. Shechem violates Dinah. Dinah's brothers not only lie to trick Shechem, but then they attack the whole city, killing all the men. Geez, that's definitely how protective they are of their sister! Did the whole city deserve to suffer though? I don't think I would say so. Maybe Shechem deserved it, and maybe his father Hamor because he didn't find any fault with his son. That still doesn't really make it right what Simeon and Levi did.
The only thing is that Simeon and Levi hadn't attacked the city, Dinah probably would have suffered more. So they saved their sister, but maybe not in the best way possibly. I still think that they went a little bit overkill.
Prayer Time
Now you talk to God about what you read, and you can even read this chapter of the Bible for yourself before you do.
Let me know your thoughts on this reading as well.
Thank you for taking the time to read, I pray that what you have read blesses and inspires you! Godbless!
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