Shechem's Folly

Song: Let Me Live Close To Thee

Scripture: Genesis 34:1-31

When Jacob left Laban’s house, his eldest son, Reuben was about 13, and Joseph, his youngest, no more than 7. The ages of his other nine sons were between these two and Dinah was near Joseph in age. Rambunctious teens they turned out to be.

Be ye separate. When the patriarchs stayed in their tents, they did fine. It’s when they went to town that they got in trouble. Learn from Lot and Jacob both: watch where you pitch your tent.

Like father, like sons. The one sin common to the patriarchs was lying. Abraham lied. Isaac lied. Jacob lied. Now Jacob’s sons. But the lies grew in heinousness with each generation. Fathers, beware. Eating sour grapes may not set your sons’ teeth on edge. But your sons might make wine.

Vengeance belongs to the Lord. Simeon and Levi were reckless in their anger. They really didn’t think of their sister’s welfare. They killed to protect her and the family’s honor, but injured both in the end and used the Lord’s covenant of circumcision for their treachery. Be angry and sin not.

Whom the Father loves, He chastens. It becomes clear in this story why the Lord sent Joseph, then Israel, to Egypt. Freedom was not good for Israel. Canaan was already spoiling Jacob’s sons. What they needed was a whipping, and what Jacob didn’t give, the Lord would. Don’t despise the Lord’s discipline.

Jason Moore