Today I read Genesis 34, which talks about Dinah being raped and her brothers’ revenge. Sometimes sinful actions kindle the anger of God’s children. Today I considered how people approach their loved ones differently, the truth needed for successful negotiation, and vengeance leading to God’s glory.
Dinah
When an innocent loved one is taken people react differently from wanting them back to wanting vengeance for hurting your loved one. Dinah lived in the land her father Jacob bought from Hamor, Shechem’s father (Genesis 33:19). Dinah wanted to visit other girls and went with her mother Leah and maid servants (Jasher 33). The book of Jasher explains Dinah was forcibly stolen by Shechem’s servants for Shechem to rape her. Shechem then decided he wanted to keep Dinah. Jacob’s servants tried to get her back and failed. Jacob waited for his son’s to return home. When Dinah’s brothers found out, they were angry (Genesis 34:7). Jacob’s first goal was to get his daughter back but Dinah’s brothers wanted revenge.
Deceptive Negotiation
A negotiation is not truly successful when both sides are dishonest. Dinah’s brothers Simeon and Levi set out a condition of circumcision of everyone for the men to keep their sister (Genesis 34:17). Simeon and Levi wanted the return of their sister Dinah and planned the destruction of the city if she was not returned. Hamor wanted to make his son Shechem happy and thought the town could benefit by taking the wealth of Jacob through the agreement (Genesis 34:23). A negotiation in which one side wants your wealth and the other side wants your death cannot be expected to end in peace.
Vengeance and God’s Glory
God protected Jacob’s sons as they sought vengeance and used their actions to protect those of Jacob’s tribe. On the third day after the circumcision, while the men of the city were suffering, Simeon and Levi killed all of them. Simeon and Levi rescued their sister Dinah. Jacob’s sons spoilt the city and took the wealth, children, and women because of what they had done to their sister Dinah. The book of Jasher explains the surrounding cities feared them saying two son’s killed the city of Shechem and God loved this people and did mighty things for them.
Questions and Thoughts for Today
When I read this chapter I wanted to know how this was able to happen to Dinah. I could not believe they left her unprotected and she wondered off alone. So, I looked it up and found information in the book of Jasher , part of the Apocrypha. I want to read the entire Bible, but I am also interested in reading the Apocrypha to have a deeper understanding of the Bible.
Are you interested in reading both the Bible and Apocrypha?