AND SLEW ALL THE MALES – Genesis 34:25
Monday, March 9th, 2009Genesis 34:25 And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brethren, took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males.
Shechem had done a great evil when he had raped Dinah. However, this did not justify the actions of Simeon and Levi in killing all the men in the city. Just because Shechem was more honorable than the men of his father’s house, this did not mean that the men in his father’s house had to die for his sin.
Shechem had sinned and it was the duty of the next-of-kin to punish Shechem. However, this does not mean that Levi and Simeon had the right to deceive Shechem and take the lives of all the males in the city. Levi and Simeon had established their own standards. They were upset at what Shechem had done to their sister and they were going to take matters into their own hands.
Technically, this was not a grudge that Levi and Simeon had a right to recompense. It was the duty of their father to seek punishment for the crimes of Shechem. When Jacob accented to the plan to have all the males of the city circumcise themselves, the matter was settled. Levi and Simeon were not responsible for punishing Shechem. Because they did seek to punish Shechem, they ended up doing so in their own strength and many innocent individuals lost their lives.
It is really easy to hold a grudge for someone else. As you stand at the water cooler, you hear some story about how someone has done something wrong. Without questioning the other parties involved, you determine that the first persons story is correct and you allow yourself to give the silent treatment to the offending party. Solomon tells us in Proverbs 18:17 “He that is first in his cause seemeth just; but his neighbor cometh and searcheth him.”
Do not jump to conclusions just because someone has told you something. It is really easy to get caught up in the daily gossip. It is not God’s plan for us to mess with other people’s gossip, instead, God often brings these people into our lives so that we might be able to help them reconcile with those who have wronged them. People have problems, and God desires that we learn to share HIS perfect plan for how they can forgive their adversaries.
Satan loves to get our attention upon the injustices of the world. If we start focusing upon the injustices of the world, we lose sight of God’s perfect plan for our life. Yes a terrible thing happened to the entire family of Jacob when Dinah was raped. However, it was not the perfect plan of God for Levi and Simeon to kill all the living males. Instead, a lesson in forgiveness would have been beneficial.
It is really easy to allow your emotions to get the best of you. Anytime you hear or see of some injustice, stop and think about what God desires you to learn from this lesson. By demonstrating self-control over your emotions, you will be in a better position to share with others the hope that is within you. The temperance of refusing to yield to the temptation of seeking revenge or taking a grudge for another will result in you having a much stronger spiritual life.
Levi and Simeon took matters into their own hands. It is real easy to follow the example of Levi and Simeon. Once a man came to Jesus asking Jesus to tell his brother to divide the inheritance with him. Jesus refused to take sides in the matter. Jesus demonstrated to us how to respond to those individuals who try to manipulate us into take their side in a matter.