Do you remember when we studied the birth of Jacob’s eleven sons and the Bible told us that he had a daughter named Dinah? I said, don’t forget her. The Bible only mentions the birth of daughters when they are important to the story. Today, we will see what happens with Dinah and how her story interweaves with the rest of Jacob and his family. It is a story of tragedy.
Read chapter 34 in its entirety. Verses 1-2 tell us how this family has experienced a tragedy. As we read this chapter, we can feel their shock and their rage. This is something that should never happen to anyone. The rapist, Shechem, is the son of the town’s ruler. He is probably accustomed to getting whatever he wants. He has power. He is entitled. And he wants Dinah. Verses 3-4 tell us that he spoke tenderly to her. After such a violent act, he is trying to win her over. He tells his father to arrange for him to be able to marry her. He does not even let Dinah leave his house afterwards (verse 26). I guess he just assumes he will get his own way.
And what about Hamor, his father? He has just learned that his son has raped a young woman. Does he make any attempt to make this right? To free the girl even? He allows the son to keep her in his house, and he attempts to approach Dinah’s father about marriage arrangements. There is no shame or justice from Hamor either. I believe Shechem must have been an indulged child who was not taught right behavior by his father.
Jacob hears about what happened to Dinah (verse 5). He does not hear about this from his daughter as she is still at Shechem’s house. The deed is apparently known and being talked about. Jacob is in shock and waits for his sons to return from the fields. They come back early as they have also heard the talk (verse 7) and are outraged. And Hamor approaches to talk to Jacob about the situation.
In verses 8-12 we see Hamor ask Dinah’s father and brothers to let her marry his son. He asks them to live among them as neighbors. He says they can intermarry their sons and daughters and that he will pay whatever bride price is asked. He is trying to make peace after what has happened and smooth things over. He knows his son has done a horrible thing.
In verses 13-17 we see the reply of Jacob’s sons. They tell Hamor that they cannot live among and intermarry with people who have not been circumcised but that they will agree if Hamor agrees to circumcision. It is a trick. They do not intend to honor their word. We have discussed generational sin before, and, like Jacob, the sons have concocted a whopper. Remember, Hamor is the ruler and he has the ability to get all the men of the city to do this. Verses 18-19 tell us that Hamor and Shechem agreed to this. Shechem was really intent on having Dinah and didn’t hesitate.
Next, we find Hamor and Shechem, in verses 20-24, getting the men of the city to be circumcised. They appeal to their pocketbooks saying that they should be able to gain possession of Jacob’s family’s goods and property in addition to being able to intermarry with them. And all of the men of the city go out to discuss it at the city gate where official business was conducted and then are circumcised.
We see three different motivations here. First, Jacob’s sons are motivated by revenge. But does God want us to seek revenge when we are wronged (Rom 12:19)? We are to forgive (and yes, that is hard). Second, the townsmen were motivated by greed. They were after what they could get from Jacob’s family. And how does God feel about greed (Isa 57:17)? But Shechem, what was he motivated by? Certainly not by love (I Cor 13:5).
At first look, it would appear that his motivation was lust (verses 12, 19). But we know that rape is about violence, not sex. It is about power and control, not sexuality. Notice, Shechem even kept her captive in his house and did not let her return home for three days. Shechem was a very dangerous man.
Verses 25-29 tell us that three days later, Jacob’s sons took vengeance on the city while the men were still sore, recovering from their circumcisions. Simeon and Levi killed every male, including Hamor and Shechem, and rescued their sister from Shechem’s house. Then all of Jacob’s sons looted the city, taking all their goods and belongings, including even the women and the children. Their vengeance was even more bloody and horrifying than the actions of Shechem. Only one man violated their sister, but every man in the city was punished. This may be why God says, “Vengeance is mine”.
Verses 30-31 find Jacob, unlike Hamor, chastising his sons. Unfortunately, he is not reprimanding them for their violence, but for making their family unwelcome among the locals. It is no longer safe for them to live there.
One thing that is noticeably missing in this story is Dinah herself. This lesson is not really about her. It is about the men and their intolerable behavior. We never see what happens to Dinah, how she feels, or if anyone ministers to her afterwards. But this is an important topic, and I want to address it.
I am sure, at some point, someone said to her, “You should not have gone out among the Egyptians and the Canaanites without male protection.” Remember, twice Abraham, and once Isaac, claimed their wives were their sister because they knew the men of the area were quick to grab women. It was not an especially safe place for women. It would have been easy for Jacob and his sons to blame Dinah. To their credit, they did not. This is also something that occurs in our culture today. But it is NEVER okay for a man to force himself on a woman, no matter where she happens to be, and we must NEVER blame a woman in any way for the violence a man has done to her. It is NEVER her fault.
I hope that Dinah was given much love, support, and comfort upon returning home. Today, there are Christian counselors who can help with these issues, and it is never shameful or wrong to seek their help. If you know someone who has experienced such violence, encourage them to seek help while providing all the love and support you can. God may have put you in their life for that reason. He wants to comfort the broken-hearted (Psalm 34:18, 147:3). But please, do not EVER blame the victim.
Responding to God: Praise God for our wonderful country and a safe place to live. Thank Him for our freedoms and His protection from violence. Discuss with Him your history of how you treat women and how you have taught your sons to treat women. Ask Him to help you keep from greed and a sense of entitlement. Pray that He will help you when dealing with rage and anger. Ask for opportunities to help those who have been victims of violence.
Further Research: On the internet, search for information concerning rape culture in America.
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