Gen. 34

Some have questioned why Jacob pitched his tent toward Shechem.  They see Dinah hanging out with the women of the land (v1) and assume a desire to fit in with those who are not part of the family of promise.  They point out that Abraham lived alongside others in peace but without adopting their gods or desires.  Seeing how this situation turns out may lead them to believe that Jacob should not have been there.

It is possible there is something to this.  However one must be careful in assuming that because a decision goes badly that we must conclude it was the wrong decision.  In the end Jacob lays the blame for the massacre not on Dinah but on the two sons, Simeon and Levi, who could not control their anger.

One interesting thing about this chapter is that God Himself does not make clear the “moral” of the story.  When we come to the end we may feel strongly with Jacob, who is now concerned about the people of the land and how they might treat him.  But then we may sympathize with the brothers who argue, “Should he treat our sister like a harlot?”  In the end we will see that the people of the land will, in fact, fear the family of Jacob.

To understand why this particular event is recorded requires that we not have the idea that these stories are merely recorded so that we can learn a moral truth.  Let us remember that this is a record, not of world history, but of the history of God’s fulfillment of a promise.  There is the promise of Gen. 3:15 where God promised a Savior for the sinners.  But even beyond that is the promise God has made to His Son to make Him a ruler over His enemies (Psalm 2).  This is a promise made before the dawn of human history.  And God is working IN history to bring about His will.  The plan involves a family, the family of Jacob or Israel as we now know him.

Having said this we then understand what we see in the narrative of Genesis.  It is recognized that Jacob likely had other daughters (Gen. 46:7).  But Dinah is the only one mentioned by name and is even counted along with the men who are counted when the family goes to Egypt (Gen. 46:15). 

But of greater interest is what will happen to these two sons.  The three oldest sons of Jacob will be disqualified in his sight for their wickedness.  Reuben the oldest will commit fornication with the handmaid Bilhah (Gen. 35:22).  The next two, Simeon and Levi, will be denied the double blessing of the oldest son because of their anger seen at Shechem (Gen. 50:3-7; 1 Chron. 5:1-2).  The birthright will fall to Joseph, and Judah will become the real leader of the family.

The events of life often defy explanation.  We wonder what God is doing.  Perhaps this story, when seen in the big picture of God’s plan and purpose, will help us rest in His Sovereign care.  It is not required that we know what God is doing.  It is required that we be yielded to Him (Rom. 12:1).  Let us not be engrossed with the events of life; let us be engrossed with the One Who is above, sitting at God’s right hand (Col. 1:1-4).  That focus will never be misplaced.