- Scripture: Genesis 34:18–31
- The Anchor: “On the third day, when they were sore, the two sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brothers, took their swords and came against the city securely and killed all the males.” – Genesis 34:25 (ESV)
Shechem and Hamor get the other men to agree on getting circumcised with the incentive of being able to take the daughters of Jacob’s family and dwell together. On the third day of the recovery, Simeon and Levi went into the city and killed all the men including Shechem and Hamor and they took Dinah. The men of Jacob plundered the city of its women and children. Jacob says that they brought trouble on him and they made him stink in the land. The brothers say that Shechem and Hamor treated Dinah like a prostitute.
This is NOT a valid crashout. It’s true that it was not right for Shechem to defile Dinah, but that does not justify that they made all the men circumcise, killed them while they were recovering, and plundered their city. Their family history does include lots of deception, so maybe Simeon and Levi inherited that from their father.
Jacob’s response is not very good either. His response immediately started with how they made him look bad. Nothing about God or about how they killed innocent people. He just cared about himself and his own reputation, which his sons tarnished. All the sons can say is that Shechem treated Dinah like a prostitute.
In this passage, Shechem and Hamor are kind of fueled by the idea of mixing with Jacob’s family. The problem is, Jacob probably wants his sons not to marry non-Israelites to keep the covenantal line holy. Relating this to Jesus, there is generally no more stigma against marrying outside your race or family. There are many times where people marry people of the same race, but there are also times when the two people are not of the same race. We are now united through Christ instead of through unholy marriage alliances. There are no more racial boundaries in Jesus. Jesus was also very kind and caring to both Jews and Gentiles. This is the opposite of what Simeon and Levi did in this passage. It’s so radically different, which means we should live radically different from the world that we live in. Let us be holy in our ways instead of worldly. Let us walk in the Spirit instead of in the flesh.
Reflection
- You clearly stated that Simeon and Levi’s violent deception was “NOT a valid crashout” and did not justify their actions. When you feel deeply wronged or angry, do you think a massive overreaction is justified, or do you step back to walk in the Spirit?
- Jacob’s immediate response focused entirely on his own reputation and how his sons made him look bad, rather than mourning the sin or seeking God. When things go wrong in your circles, are you more worried about your personal image, or are you focused on what God thinks?
Prayer
Lord, keep me from matching the brokenness of the world with my own sinful overreactions or fleshly impulses. Thank You that in Jesus, there are no more racial boundaries and we are completely united through Christ. Help me to live radically different from the world, to value Your holiness over my personal reputation, and to walk in the Spirit today. Amen.