Genesis 34

We thank you God that this is the day that You have made and we shall be glad and rejoice in it. Thank you for Your Word Father and as always, may You speak to us and give us understanding in all things in the name of Jesus, Amen.

Genesis chapter 34 starts off with Leah and Jacob's daughter, Dinah, who is taking a tour around the new land they had recently moved to as a family. During her personal tour of this land, she was kidnapped and defiled by a prince of a country called Shechem (Genesis 34:2). After the priest did this, he and his father proceeded to ask Jacob for Dinah's hand in marriage. When all of this was taking place, Jacob's sons happened to be out with the livestock and Genesis 34:5 reads, "...so Jacob held his peace until they came." When Jacob's sons heard their sisters was defiled, they were extremely furious. However, Shechem, the prince who had defiled her was willing to pay anything to marry Dinah (Genesis 33:13).

Jacob's sons agreed to marriage arrangements on condition that all the men in Shechem's city were circumcised just like Jacob and his lineage (Genesis 34:16).

Upon their return home, Shechem and his father, Hamor returned to their city and informed all the men to get circumcised as this would enable them to intermarry with Jacob's family (Genesis 34:21-23). The men in the city gladly responded and adhered to the circumcision instruction. During their time of healing as seen in Genesis 34:24, Simeon and Levi decided to avenge their sister's death by killing every man in that city including the prince Shechem, his father Hamor. Furthermore, Simeon and Levi plundered the city. They did not suggest circumcision because they wanted to give their sister away in marriage, rather they suggested it because they wanted to take vengeance for what happened to their sister by attacking the city when the men who could fight back were at their most vulnerable time that is, during their circumcision healing (Genesis 34:25-29).

When Jacob heard about this, he was extremely troubled by his sons' anger. It is important to remember that Jacob was a peaceful man whose heart and decisions were always aligned with God's intents and purposes. Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, "You have troubled me by making me obnoxious among the inhabitants of the land, among the Cananites and the Perizzites; and since I am few in number, they will gather themselves together against me and kill me. I shall be destroyed, my household and I." (Genesis 34:30 NKJV).

Despite their father's agony, Simeon and Levi did not acknowledge or apologize for murdering people in cold blood. Instead, they responded to their father, "Should he treat our sister like a harlot." (Genesis 34:31).

All through Scripture, the LORD God repeatedly encourages believers to not take matters into our own hands when something happens but rather trust Him with every unfair situation. In Romans 12:11 (ESV) the LORD God says, "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay says the LORD." This Scripture also shows us that God's wrath will only work when we leave room for Him to take care of the situation. Basically, God could not intervene in the unfair situation that happened to Dinah because Simeon and Levi took the matter in their own hands. Their actions did not create room for God's divine intervention.

The LORD also does not want us returning one bad act for another so He encourages us in Proverbs 20:22 (NKJV), "Do not say, I will recompense evil; "Wait for the LORD, and He will save you."

Prayer: Father, God today we receive Your grace to lean into Your timing and your help especially in times of adversity, disappointment, hurt , pain and persecution because only You can provide the help we need like no other. I join my faith with every brother and sister who may feel betrayed by a loved one, may Your comfort and love surround them in this moment in the name of Jesus. We thank you that vengeance belongs to You LORD God and in all things may Your peace that surpasses understanding guard our hearts and minds in the name of Jesus. We also ask that You transform the hearts of all those who have caused pain to others whether knowingly or unknowingly, may You give them hearts of flesh that are repentant of their sin and obedient to Your Word in the name of Jesus, Amen. Thank you LORD.

I'll end with this Word found in Psalm 121:1-2 (NKJV)

"1.I will lift up my eyes to the hills - from whence comes my help?

2.My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth."

AMEN. Thank you LORD

Invitation to salvation: I invite you to make this confession that invites you to new covenant that is found in the precious blood of Jesus Christ where your sins are washed away and you get to have a personal relationship with God, the Father and are kept safe in all of His blessings for His children:

"I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that; Jesus Christ, the Son of God came in a human body to die for my sins so that I could have a new life where I am dead to sin and alive to God. I repent of my past sins and enter the Kingdom of light where I choose relationship with Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour and with God as my loving Father today and forever." AMEN.

Congratulations, by grace you are saved and are now a new creation in Christ Jesus. The old life has passed away and you have received the free gift of salvation into your life (2 Corinthians 5:17) where you get to freely access everything I've shared in this post. To the glory of the Almighty God. Amen.

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PS: Remember to read Genesis 34 alongside this post in your personal devotional time and share your thoughts in the comments below!