Vengeance is The Lord's!

"And they slew Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah out of Shechem's house, and went out. The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city, because they had defiled their sister." Genesis 34:26-27. Remember how we talked about the fact that reconciling is better than revenge? Here is one way in which Jacob was tested to follow through with that; however, his sons took matters into their own hands (repeating an unhealthy pattern) and got their revenge. We will find out that in any circumstance, revenge is not the answer. It gives us a bad reputation. But what exactly happened?

"And Dinah the daughter of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land. And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her, and lay with her, and defiled her." Genesis 34:1‭-‬2. Dinah was basically raped. Dinah was the daughter of Leah, Jacob's first wife.

This sounds like an opportunity for vengeance if I ever saw one. We all know how we'd feel if this was our daughter! But just like Abraham in the test of sacrifice with his son Isaac, this was probably a great test of Jacob's new character, and his faith in God: "And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter: now his sons were with his cattle in the field: and Jacob held his peace until they were come." Genesis 34:5.

Jacob held his peace! He did not react and take revenge on impulse. But as mentioned, when a couple of his sons heard the news, they took matters into their own hands. Let's re-visit the opening Scripture:

"And they slew Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah out of Shechem's house, and went out. The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city, because they had defiled their sister." Genesis 34:26‭-‬27.

Two of Jacob's sons, Simeon and Levi, took vengeance into their own hands. They attacked and killed the offender and his father, and they spoiled their entire city. This did not give Jacob any relief. It gave him grief:

"And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house." Genesis 34:30.

Remember? Bad reputation? That's what Jacob did not want to happen. But God did not allow anyone to come against him and slay him, and it was probably because, unlike his sons, he was patient and did not seek revenge. In Genesis 35, God tells Jacob that he & all his household should go to Beth-el. This was the place where God had met him in his time of distress when he was running from his brother Esau. Why would God ask him to do that? Well, it could be because this was a similar situation, and in both cases, Jacob did not seek revenge!

Sure enough, Jacob repeated a healthy pattern this time. He did exactly what he had done years ago; he set up and altar & pillar of stone unto The Lord: "And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with him, even a pillar of stone: and he poured a drink offering thereon, and he poured oil thereon."

Genesis 35:14.

We can always look forward in time and apply these principles. We can look forward in the New Testament, and as far forward as our lives today! Here's a New Testament reference about revenge: "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." Romans 12:19.

Just like the rolling away of stones we discussed with Jacob, Jesus ultimately rolled the greatest stone when He rose from the dead. God's power is greatest. God will also take care of our enemies. Never fear!