Genesis 34:1-31, "Dinah and Shechem"

Chapter 33 closes with the building of an altar to the God of Israel. Chapter 35 opens with God speaking to Jacob. But in this chapter there is no mention of God at all. Why did the Holy Spirit inspire these events to be recorded in the Bible? In this chapter we see the depravity of fallen man and the sins which he can so easily commit. We see the sin of unbelievers as well as that of believers portrayed here. Shechem, the unbeliever, violates Dinah. Dinah’s brothers, who are young believers, respond with deceit and brutal vengeance. And Jacob, the oldest believer, stands passively by and seems only concerned about the consequences of his sons’ actions as they impact him, not the wrongs they have committed. Sin is on full display in all concerned. They have not learned that vengeance belongs to the Lord who alone is able to repay with justice.