Studies In Genesis: Chapter 34 Series

Note: When doing a study on a book in the Bible you use a lot of resources. The major influence for me on this study of Genesis is The Genesis Record by Henry Morris.

Before we begin chapter 34 I would like to back up to chapter 33 and read the last 3 verses.

Genesis 33

18 And Jacob came to Shalem, a city of Shechem, which [is] in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padanaram; and pitched his tent before the city. 19 And he bought a parcel of a field, where he had spread his tent, at the hand of the children of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for an hundred pieces of money. 20 And he erected there an altar, and called it Elelohe-Israel.

As we said last Wendesday this was the same thing that a man named Lot did. Do you think that Jacob was suppose to be here?

Genesis 31:13 I [am] the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar, [and] where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred.

The land of his fathers was not at Shechem but was at Bethel near Beersheba. Now we will see the results of disobedience. Here is what it takes for Jacob to obey the Lord.

Genesis 34:1. And Dinah the daughter of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land.

Notice Dinah does initiate this. She goes searching.

2 And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her, and lay with her, and defiled her.

What was wrong with Dinah the daughter of Jacob to lay with Shechem? Was she raped? Who was at fault?

What can we learn from this?

Colossians 3:21 Fathers, provoke not your children [to anger], lest they be

discouraged.

In what ways can we provoke our children?

3 And his soul clave unto Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the damsel, and spake kindly unto the damsel.

4 And Shechem spake unto his father Hamor, saying, Get me this damsel to wife.

5 And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter: now his sons were with his cattle in the field: and Jacob held his peace until they were come.

6. And Hamor the father of Shechem went out unto Jacob to commune with him.

7 And the sons of Jacob came out of the field when they heard [it]: and the men were grieved, and they were very wroth, because he had wrought folly in Israel in lying with Jacob’s daughter; which thing ought not to be done.

I believe Jacob probably stirred up a little trouble. I don’t know what was the best way to handle the situtation. I don’t know what the solution should have been but we will see the solution of the sons of Jacob.

8 And Hamor communed with them, saying, The soul of my son Shechem longeth for your daughter: I pray you give her him to wife.

9 And make ye marriages with us, [and] give your daughters unto us, and take our daughters unto you.

10 And ye shall dwell with us: and the land shall be before you; dwell and trade ye therein, and get you possessions therein.

Here is what God is tring to avoid. He don’t want mix marriages or mix relationships he wants his people to be separate. Two things that God seems to be emphatic about so far in Genesis. We have seen it in all the generations so far. (1) Heredity-do not mix marriage. Only marry in same beliefs and family. Do not be unequally yoked together. (2) Environment-stay away from the world. Be separate.

11 And Shechem said unto her father and unto her brethren, Let me find grace in your eyes, and what ye shall say unto me I will give.

12 Ask me never so much dowry and gift, and I will give according as ye shall say unto me: but give me the damsel to wife.

13 And the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father deceitfully, and said, because he had defiled Dinah their sister:

Who do you think should have handled this problem?

14 And they said unto them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; for that [were] a reproach unto us:

15 But in this will we consent unto you: If ye will be as we [be], that every male of you be circumcised;

16 Then will we give our daughters unto you, and we will take your daughters to us, and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people.

17 But if ye will not hearken unto us, to be circumcised; then will we take our daughter, and we will be gone.