Revenge Put in Motion

Revenge Put in Motion

Genesis 34: ¹³ But the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father, and spoke deceitfully, because he had defiled Dinah their sister. ¹⁴ And they said to them, “We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one who is uncircumcised, for that would be a reproach to us. ¹⁵ But on this condition we will consent to you: If you will become as we are, if every male of you is circumcised, ¹⁶ then we will give our daughters to you, and we will take your daughters to us; and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people. ¹⁷ But if you will not heed us and be circumcised, then we will take our daughter and be gone.”

 

¹⁸ And their words pleased Hamor and Shechem, Hamor’s son. ¹⁹ So the young man did not delay to do the thing, because he delighted in Jacob’s daughter. He was more honorable than all the household of his father.

 

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Hearing about the violation of Dinah, her brothers decided to do something about it. They deceived Shechem and Hamor by telling them they needed to become circumcised. This way the men of Shechem would become like the men of Israel, Jacob’s sons.

 

My Observations:

• Jacob’s sons were furious enough to plan out revenge.
• Jacob’s household followed the covenant given to Abraham, that all males born or servants who worked for the family, would be circumcised.
• Shechem was first in line, probably dreaming of having Dinah as his wife.

 

GOD told Abraham to be circumcised when he was ninety-nine. HE also said that males had to be circumcised on the eighth day, or when the child is eight days old. Jacob and his entire family followed this covenant. Jacob’s son’s knew this process would be painful for adults, so they added it to their plan.

 

Shechem, blinded by getting his way, fell into the trap created by Jacob’s sons. He was so used to getting his way that this plan looked like he had won over Jacob and his family. He thought that the men of Shechem would be excited about being able to marry the daughters of Jacob, so he got first in line. GOD saw the plan for revenge put in place.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about the plan for revenge put in place by Jacob’s sons?
• Have you ever thought about taking revenge on someone?
• Can you let go of any ill will you may have against someone and allow GOD to own vengeance?

Bribery for Offense

Bribery for Offense

Genesis 34: ¹¹ Then Shechem said to her father and her brothers, “Let me find favor in your eyes, and whatever you say to me I will give. ¹² Ask me ever so much dowry and gift, and I will give according to what you say to me; but give me the young woman as a wife.”

 

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Shechem decided to speak up. He thought it would be a good idea to bribe Jacob and Dinah’s brothers by offering a dowry for his violation.

 

My Observations:

• Shechem was probably used to getting what he wanted because the city was named after him.
• Shechem may have thought money would always be the answer for his problems, even the one’s he caused.
• Shechem had no regard for Dinah, Jacob or her brothers and figured a bribe would smooth over his wrong.

 

Thinking money was the solution, Shechem tried to bribe the family into getting his way. He already took what he wanted without considering the consequences. Being rich and powerful, he may have felt he was above the law. BUT GOD saw what he did.

 

In many ways, we think like Shechem. We recklessly break things in life, hoping money will fix the problem. Shechem seemed arrogant enough to approach the family with such an offer. He was raised in rebellion to GOD, much like the other Canaanites. He seemed to live life like anything goes. Little did he know, GOD saw every action.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about Shechem’s bribery attempt?
• Have you ever messed up and thought money could buy you out of the problem you made?
• Instead of bribery, will you consider confessing to GOD and allow HIM to correct you so HE can place you back on HIS path?

Missed Opportunities

Missed Opportunities

Genesis 34: 5 And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter. Now his sons were with his livestock in the field; so Jacob held his peace until they came. 6 Then Hamor the father of Shechem went out to Jacob to speak with him. 7 And the sons of Jacob came in from the field when they heard it; and the men were grieved and very angry, because he had done a disgraceful thing in Israel by lying with Jacob’s daughter, a thing which ought not to be done. 8 But Hamor spoke with them, saying, “The soul of my son Shechem longs for your daughter. Please give her to him as a wife. 9 And make marriages with us; give your daughters to us, and take our daughters to yourselves. 10 So you shall dwell with us, and the land shall be before you. Dwell and trade in it, and acquire possessions for yourselves in it.”

 

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Jacob heard that Dinah had been violated and kept silent. Hamor heard that his son violated Jacob’s daughter and he heard the demand that his son gave him, wanting to marry Dinah after violating her. Hamor presented an option to act like a Hivite and accept their ways and receive their daughters and possessions.

 

My Observations:

• Jacob missed the opportunity to respond to the outrageous act against his daughter.
• Hamor missed the opportunity to have his son apologize and pay for his egregious action.
• Shechem missed the opportunity of having a loving relationship with Dinah by taking what he wanted.

 

Trying to downplay the violation outraged the sons of Jacob. Jacob never opened his mouth out of fear of retribution. Jacob’s fear, was noticed by his sons, so they did not do anything right away.

 

GOD had sent Jacob back to this land and now his daughter was hurt and so were his sons. What a mess! BUT GOD saw it all. This terrible act would not go unnoticed. Jacob, Hamor and Shechem represent times when we miss opportunities to stand in the gap for someone who has been wronged, or we try to smooth over a wrong, or we do the wrong. GOD sees.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about Hamor’s offer?
• Have you ever needed someone to stand in the gap for you?
• Will you stand in the gap for someone or not try to smooth a wrong over, or confess to a wrong today?

Blind Desire

Blind Desire

Genesis 34: Now Dinah the daughter of Leah, whom she had borne to Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land. ² And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her and lay with her, and violated her. ³ His soul was strongly attracted to Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the young woman and spoke kindly to the young woman. ⁴ So Shechem spoke to his father Hamor, saying, “Get me this young woman as a wife.”

 

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Dinah was trying to accept the move, so she went to meet the Hivite women Isaac and Rebekah despised. Shechem the son of the ruler Hamor and who the city was named after, saw how beautiful Dinah was and violated her. He loved Dinah and spoke kindly to her. He demanded that Hamor get Dinah as his wife.

 

My Observations:

• Shechem saw what he wanted and took what he wanted.
• Shechem may have been in love with Dinah, but had no consideration for her feelings.
• Shechem tried to sweet talk Dinah into wanting to be with him, but that may not have been working, so he demanded his father to force her to be his wife.

 

When the desire to have something that does not belong to a person is there, bad decisions are made. Shechem wanted something and felt he could take it instead of allowing the relationship to blossom naturally. Shechem was dangerous because he could run and tell people who supported his every move, that he wanted what he wanted and that’s the way it is. The town was named “Shechem!”

 

It isn’t just about power. We want what we want and see things from a “me” perspective like Shechem. His desire would cause a lot of people to be hurt because he took what he wanted without a drop of humility. Another mess happened. GOD saw the mess.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD tell Moses about what Shechem did to Dinah and how he reacted?
• Have you ever wanted something so badly, that all decisions are made from getting that thing?
• Are you willing to ask GOD to change your desire into HIS desire instead of steering HIM into getting your way?

Seeking Seen

Seeking Seen

Genesis 30: ¹⁷ And God listened to Leah, and she conceived and bore Jacob a fifth son. ¹⁸ Leah said, “God has given me my wages, because I have given my maid to my husband.” So she called his name Issachar. ¹⁹ Then Leah conceived again and bore Jacob a sixth son. ²⁰ And Leah said, “God has endowed me with a good endowment; now my husband will dwell with me, because I have borne him six sons.” So she called his name Zebulun. ²¹ Afterward she bore a daughter, and called her name Dinah.

 

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Unwanted and alone in marriage, Leah gave Rachel the mandrakes Reuben found. She sought time with Jacob, who loved her sister Rachel. That night, they conceived a child. When the child was born, she named him Issachar, meaning wages. Sometime later, she conceived another child and named him Zebulun, meaning dwelling.  Then she conceived a daughter and named her Dinah, meaning judgment.

 

My Observations:

• Leah sought to have a relationship with a husband who was forced to marry her.
• Leah bore Jacob seven children, one of which was a daughter named Dinah.
• GOD saw and heard Leah’s heart as she tried to make a bad situation good.

 

After becoming barren, there seemed no reason for Jacob to keep trying to have kids with Leah. He kept trying to have kids with Rachel to no avail. Leah gave her maid to Jacob and two kids were born. But this did not satisfy Leah’s desire for more children. GOD saw Leah’s attempts to have a relationship with Jacob and blessed her with three more children.

 

Leah conceived half of the sons Jacob would have. She conceived them through difficulty and pain. She praised GOD for being able to give birth to children. But when she had a daughter, she named her judgment. GOD saw Leah’s broken heart and blessed her seeking efforts.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD tells Moses about Leah’s desires?
• Have you ever had a desire and wondered if GOD was even listening to you?
• Have you placed all your desires before the LORD, believing that HE will give you what is best for you?