Gen 34

The violation of Dinah and the subsequent action of Simeon and Levi was one that would change the landscape of the relationship between the 12 tribes and the surrounding nations forever. Shechem's action were repulsive and his attitude towards Dinah and Hamar's request for intermarriages would be dealt with in a way that led to the death of all the males in the Hivite tribe. Not only were content in "righting the wrong" they took the next step and looted the city where their sister had be defiled and carried off all the wealth and all of their women and children as plunder. While their motives of revenge could be justified, Jacob in v.30 foretold of the troubles that would occur in their future.

From the commentary:

God had promised to make Jacob’s descendants into a great nation. But Jacob did not want that nation to be a wicked nation. So, Jacob needed to teach his sons about God (Genesis 35:1-15). Nobody in the story was innocent. Dinah went out to visit those people. That was a dangerous thing to do. Hamor and Shechem did something wrong to her. And they were not honest with Jacob’s family about it. Hamor and Shechem were not honest with their own people either. Jacob probably should have done more about Dinah’s situation. But he was perhaps more worried about his own safety among his neighbours. But the behaviour of Simeon and Levi was terrible. The brothers punished the men in Shechem too severely. They were cruel. It is clear that people in Jacob’s family were bitter and angry. And they were behaving like people who did not know God.

Oh well, back to work for a day and a half. Hopefully, today will be non-eventful (ha!). Wishing my cuz, Elaine a great birthday!

Praise for today: For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Ps 57:10