Attack and retaliation
Saturday, Oct. 3
Genesis 34:1 – 35:15 Read it here Listen to it here
The NIV Bible I read from gives this section the bland subject heading of “Dinah and the Shechemites,” which sounds more like a band name than a violent, bloody confrontation. Traditionally the incident has been referred to as the Rape of Dinah.
Reading it from a 21st Century perspective one of the most striking features is that the story is told from just about every perspective but Dinah’s. We hear from Jacob, we hear from Dinah’s brothers, even from the rapist and his father. Dinah, though, is never given a voice.
Dinah’s brothers retaliate strongly and brutally, though it’s hard to tell if they are more angry about the harm done to their sister or the affront to their own pride and honor. “They were shocked and furious, because Shechem had done an outrageous thing in Israel by sleeping with Jacob’s daughter—a thing that should not be done.”
In the tradition of their family, their revenge comes with the help of deception.
Jacob, for his part, seems mainly concerned with the difficulties the retaliation could cause for him.
I have trouble seeing why this was included in the Bible other than to record an event, or possibly to explain hostility between two groups of people. But, probably unintentionally, it brings up the need to fill in some gaps as you’re reading.
What parts of the stories are missing? What people aren’t given voice in the record we have?
We recognize that even the greatest heroes of scripture have significant flaws. There is as much we can learn from their failings as from their strengths. In this case we can be reminded to listen to all voices—especially those most affected by violence.
Saturday meditation
Proverbs 3:27-28
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.
Do not say to your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”—when you already have it with you.
Prayer focus
Let me see and hear the pain of those whose stories aren’t told well or often, and lead me in how I can help them.
-Rev. Mark Fleming