Not So Sweet Revnege

DAY 12
10-1-09
GENESIS 34-35-36


Good Morning!

What a horrible thing to endure as a woman and then as a family. Dinah’s rape was more than a “defilement” it was an assault against innocent women in a land and time where women could not protect themselves.

The man in me totally understands the anger and the rage of her brothers – especially her blood-brothers. I guess the lesson I learn here is found in Jacob’s response in Gen 34:30, Afterward Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, "You have ruined me! You've made me stink among all the people of this land—among all the Canaanites and Perizzites. We are so few that they will join forces and crush us. I will be ruined, and my entire household will be wiped out!"

Jacob was scared. His sons overreacted. Shechem was guilty and it’s my opinion that justice against him was appropriate. However, the death of every male and the plunder of all their property showed the mindset of people of their day. Their actions were not justice, they were vengeance. Vengeance is not justice.

Now, this is another example of God’s patience as he develops a people who will one day shun this kind of sin. God said in Deuteronomy 32:35 “It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them." Notice God said he is the one who repays and in the right time - his own time.

Anyway, God saves them all. Shechem was going to deal treacherously with them anyway. God worked through this ugly event. God will take even our worst responses and most sinful days and help us get through them if we stay with him. They have a lot to learn and a long way to go until the nation is ready to hear “love your enemies.”

Let God be the judge, jury, and executioner.

Barry

I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.
Revelation 2:23