TEXT: Genesis 34

SUBJECT: Simeon and Levi raid the village and kill everyone

This is one of the most shocking stories ever told. If it weren't in the Bible, it might be on Hard Copy, Geraldo, Jerry Springer or some other show that specializes in the lurid and sensational.

THE STORY

The story is told with remarkable candor.

Dinah is the teenaged daughter of Jacob and Leah. As she's going to see a girlfriend one day, she is stopped by Prince Shechem who proceeds to kidnap and rape her.

Shechem is a bad man, of course, but not without some good qualities. He has a affection for the poor girl and wants to do the right thing and marry her. To get her, he sends his father, King Hamor, to pay a call on Jacob and his family.

The king assures them that his son loves Dinah and is willing to pay a rich dowry to have her. What's more, by marrying into the royal family, Jacob and his sons would be honored in the land and free to intermarry with its people.

The offer is too good to refuse and the brothers formally accept it.

With one stipulation. Every man has to be circumcised according to the Hebrew custom. Shechem is so in love with Dinah that he's willing to do it. But now comes the hard part: He's got to talk everyone else into it. And that won't be easy!

But, somehow he pulls it off. The whole tribe submits to circumcision.

Three days later, while the men were still sore, Simeon and Levi raid the village and kill all the men, take the women and little ones captive, rustle the livestock, and take everything they can lay their hands on.

When Jacob finds out, he is horrified,

But the brothers feel no remorse,

THE MEANING

That's the story. Now, what does it mean? If you take a man-centered approach, you might learn a lesson from it. Something like, Keep an eye on your daughter. Or, Young men are after one thing only. Or, Kids do the darndest things!

These are all good lessons. But they're not what the chapter is about. They don't explain why it's in the Bible.

The Bible is not about Jacob or Dinah or Levi or Simeon; it's about God! It tells us something about Him. We can find it without resorting to allegory or symbolism. Or making up crazy connections to the Gospel.

The meaning of this chapter is quite clear. Simeon and Levi have done an extremely stupid thing. Jacob realizes the danger it has put them in. The Hebrews are a small clan--of no more than seventy people. They are surrounded by thousands of ferocious Canaanites. Who are mad and ready for revenge.

But they never take their revenge, do they? They're well-able to wipe out Jacob and his family. But they never do. Why not? Because God was there to protect them.

He says so in Psalm 105:12-15,

Why didn't the Lord let them suffer the consequences of their evil and foolish deeds?

Because of His Covenant or Promise. Years before, He had sworn to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He would be their God; their "Shield and their exceedingly great Reward".

The Lord keeps His Word.

THE APPLICATION

What was true in the days of Jacob is still true. God is with His people, even when we mess up royally!

Think of the big decisions you've made--and how unfit you were to make them. Think of marriage, for example. How many of you were mature and godly enough to choose a mate wisely? Very few of you! You married on impulse; you married for convenience; you married for lust. You didn't know what you were doing. You acted sinfully and stupidly.

God might have made your marriage a living hell. But He didn't. The girl you married because she was cute, He's now saved and made into a good wife. You messed up, but God was with you and protected you from the consequences of your folly.

Think of the little things, like the foolish things you've done behind the wheel. Coming to church this morning, you sped through a yellow light, changed lanes without looking, and turned left without giving a signal. Each one could have caused a fiery crash, mutilation, or death. But it didn't. You messed up, but God was with you and kept you safe.

Does this mean we're free to sin without fear of consequence? No, of course not. Simeon and Levi suffered for this sin, being cursed at the end of Jacob's life.

They weren't alone. David's sin cost him dearly. One rash move hurt Moses very much. Other examples could be cited--from Scripture and our lives too.

But the punishment never fits the crime. The consequences are always reduced.

Why is God with us even when we mess things up royally? For the same reason He was with Jacob. He promised. You know the verses--Matthew 28:20 and Hebrews 13:5 are good examples.

The promises you know. But do you believe them? Can God now lie? Can He break His oath? Can He fail to do what He has promised?

In the pew, you know His Word cannot fail. But do you forget that when you're not in the pew? If so, tatoo these verses on your memory: Numbers 23:19 or Revelation 22:16.

THE DUTY

If God is with us even when we mess up royally, we ought to thank Him for it every day. Psalms 105,106, 107 recall our folly and God's faithfulness. What a contrast! Why are they arranged in that way? The first verse of each Psalm makes it clear,

If God is with us even when we mess up royally, we ought to extend the same courtesy to others. Oh, how much we want His mercy! Yet how reluctant we are to be merciful to others. If God loves us--even when we mess up, we ought to love others when they do.

Start with your family. Your spouse has disappointed you a million times. Do you now despise him? Or, gloat over her failures? If you do, you don't get it. You are not "following God" or "imitating Christ". The same is true of your children. They aren't what you hoped they would be. But do you still love them? Not in word, but in deed. Are you still "Longsuffering, kind, humble, and hopeful"?

If only you knew God's faithfulness. If only you felt it in your bones. And knew how little you deserve it, then you'd be "A new creature in Christ". You would love others and be good to them even when they mess up royally.

That's the lesson of Genesis 34. That God is with us--even when we mess up royally.