June 26 Genesis 34:19-31

June 26 Genesis 34:19-31

Heavenly Father, I don’t know what the right thing was for these brothers of Dinah, but I do like that they loved her so much they didn’t just allow this horrible thing to happen without some punishment on the one who harmed her and those willing to stand by and let it happen as if it was nothing at all. Thank You for showing us that each of us matter to You, and You are always at our side, loving us and providing for us. Help us feel Your protection. I know there have been times when I felt totally alone, but later when I looked back I saw You and Your provision throughout the entire time. Sometimes it is hard to see in the moment. Open my eyes to see You and all You do for me. Help me see Your love and share what You do daily for me with those who need to hear about You and Your love.

In Jesus’ name.

Amen!

The brothers of Dinah had a plan and it worked perfectly. While the men were recovering from their circumcisions, the brothers came and plundered the land and captured wives and servants.

How do you feel about how this took place?

Both sides were a bit devious. Does that bother you? Why or why not?

Genesis 34:19-31

19 And the young man did not delay to do the thing, because he delighted in Jacob's daughter. Now he was the most honored of all his father's house.20 So Hamor and his son Shechem came to the gate of their city and spoke to the men of their city, saying,21 "These men are at peace with us; let them dwell in the land and trade in it, for behold, the land is large enough for them. Let us take their daughters as wives, and let us give them our daughters.22 Only on this condition will the men agree to dwell with us to become one people—when every male among us is circumcised as they are circumcised.23 Will not their livestock, their property and all their beasts be ours? Only let us agree with them, and they will dwell with us."24 And all who went out of the gate of his city listened to Hamor and his son Shechem, and every male was circumcised, all who went out of the gate of his city.25 On the third day, when they were sore, two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brothers, took their swords and came against the city while it felt secure and killed all the males.26 They killed Hamor and his son Shechem with the sword and took Dinah out of Shechem's house and went away.27 The sons of Jacob came upon the slain and plundered the city, because they had defiled their sister.28 They took their flocks and their herds, their donkeys, and whatever was in the city and in the field.29 All their wealth, all their little ones and their wives, all that was in the houses, they captured and plundered.30 Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, "You have brought trouble on me by making me stink to the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites and the Perizzites. My numbers are few, and if they gather themselves against me and attack me, I shall be destroyed, both I and my household."31 But they said, "Should he treat our sister like a prostitute?"