Genesis 34 Commentary
Dinah is raped but she is not the focus of this chapter; neither is Shechem, the rapist.
Jacob reacts in shock and resignation but he is not the main character. Indeed, Jacob’s story is winding down. We must move on to read about the nation that he births. The scripture observes the silence of Jacob to introduce us to his sons. It’s their show now.
Yes, Jacob is silent. But is he truly silent? He will speak but not today. He will react to Simeon’s and Levi’s savage actions but not now. What eternal consequences for the two! For now, we keep this tab open!
Coming up first is the savage dual, Simeon and Levi. Reuben shall follow and not too long from now we shall have the story of Joseph and Judah. The scripture has sampled these individuals to give us a picture of Israel as a nation.
Other sons (as tribes) will have their own say but it may be outside the book of Genesis.
Thus, the rest of the holy script is Jacob’s story (or Abraham’s or Isaac’s story) told from different angles at different times down the generations. How does Jacob fulfill God’s promise? How are the nations blessed by the seed? We shall also have details of how Jacob (Israel) interacts with the nations (In this chapter, killing them and not blessing them – thanks to Simeon and Levi)
This chapter zooms in on Simeon and Levi’s savage character. But you also pick up some interesting loose ends. It leaves you on the edge! You hate it when Dinah is raped. You almost love it when Shechem shows undying love for Dinah after his crime. You hate it when you hear of their intention to economically profit from Israel’s riches.
When Dinah is raped, you feel Shechem deserves the stiffest punishment. But when the punishment comes, you feel it is way too much. You are shocked.
This chapter toys with your emotions effortlessly but without rewarding you, so we are tempted to think. But remember we have the story of Israel told from the viewpoint of savage Simeon and savage Levi.
A bonus thought goes to Jacob’s immediate reaction after the news of his daughter’s defilement. He waits for his sons. A man reaches a point when his children have a bigger say. Then you know your time on the stage is thin. The decisions they make give you a picture of your posterity.
Equally, children cannot afford to play fool with decisions; the decisions they make define both their own and their father’s line. There is a lot more at stake!
The holy script commands: “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” I guess we can appreciate the value of this injunction. Humans never know how to be square. Of course, not Simeon and Levi. Not you and me!
More resources visit http://www.lovingscripture.com
LOVING SCRIPTURE 