“Assault survivors respond differently. There’s no right or wrong way to react after being sexually abused. The assault can be so overwhelming that we may respond in three ways – fight, flee, or freeze.” ― Dana Arcuri, Author & Speaker
The Bible is a reliable record of real people, real events, real emotions, and some messy situations. Genesis 34 shows the reality of sexual assault, but also God’s hope through horrible circumstances, and what you can do to bring light to these dark situations. Let’s briefly look at Genesis 34 together and then talk about some practical ways this applies to us today. God commanded Jacob to return to Bethel (31:13) and then to his home where Isaac lived, which was Hebron (35:27). Instead, he stayed in Succoth and then settled near Shechem (Modern day Samaria). The name of the LORD is not mentioned once in this chapter; therefore, we see the consequences of when we don’t allow God to lead us, but instead, we lead ourselves. It is for that reason that we see carelessness (Gen. 34:1), defilement (Gen. 34:2 – 5), deception (Gen. 34:6 – 24), and vengeance (Gen. 34:25 – 31).
Carelessness
In Vs. 1, we see carelessness on the part of Dinah, but primarily on the part of her father, Jacob. There are many questions that arise from this situation: “Was Dinah naive? Rebellious? Ignorant of the land of the pagans? Why was it important she got to know the other women?” The greatest question though is, “Why did her father Jacob allow this?”
A lesson to parents is that you need to be involved with your child’s life; know their friends, what they’re doing on social media, what music and movies are influencing them, how they’re doing in school, and most of all, what their relationship with God is like.
A lesson to children, those still under the authority of your parents, there will come a time that you launch into your own life and family, but that time is not now. Obey your parents, listen to the wise counsel of older Christians, and learn from their life experiences so you can mature leaps and bounds ahead of your peers for the glory of God. Instead of being obedient to lead his family to Bethel, Jacob was disobedient and led his family to Shechem. When we disobey God, we’re not only putting ourselves in unnecessary danger but our entire family as well.
Defilement
In this chapter, we see the word “defilement” used 3x to describe Shechem’s horrific offense (Gen. 34:5, 15, 27). Shechem said he loved Dinah (Gen. 34:3), but true love does not rape (Gen. 34:5) and hold someone captive (Gen. 34:26).
Many in this generation are driven intensely by their sexual passions and believe mere physical attraction is love when in reality it is the empty, ultimately unsatisfying, shell of lust. God is the author of love, romance, and sex; therefore, to experience the fullness of each we must play the game of life using His manual called the Bible.
Notice Jacob’s response to his daughter getting raped (Gen. 34:5). This is the reaction of a cowardly father, an apathetic father, or both. Where is parental care? Where is godly leadership? It is nowhere with the dad; therefore, the sons decide to take action because their father won’t.
Everyone is a leader because everyone has influence and the best leaders take initiative under critical circumstances. Learn from the mistakes of Jacob and others so you can become the best version of yourself that God intended.
Deception
Genesis 34:9 is a clear indication that Satan is working behind the scenes, influencing the situation, and trying to destroy the covenant line. Just as God is interweaving His plan of redemption throughout the Bible we also see Satan, in his futility, trying to sabotage it.
The reason Hamor and Shechem were so willing to have themselves and the men of their city circumcised is because that would be their “foot in the door” to ultimately absorb all of Israel’s wealth (Gen. 34:23). Notice that both sides are deceiving each other! Concerning Jacob’s family, as soon as they pushed God out of their life, that’s when they started acting just like the world.
As you read through the events of Genesis 34 we are left to wonder, “Where is Jacob in all of this?!” It’s a shame when sons need to take action because their father won’t. Here’s where it gets personal. It’s a shame when other people need to bear your responsibilities because you choose not to. From one father to another, I pray we rise up to be the strong spiritual leaders our families need.
Vengeance
As the chapter comes to a close, we find ourselves in a traumatic tragedy. Not only did these boys commit mass murder, high-scale theft, destruction, and perversion of God’s holy sign of the covenant, but most reprehensible of all, they misrepresented God entirely. What do you think the pagan nations around them were thinking as they saw those who claimed to follow the one true God act like this? Certainly, there are no godly men in this chapter. If only Jacob obeyed the Lord by taking his family to Bethel this would have all been avoided. Even Jacob’s response is a reflection of his pernicious, selfish, heart.
Though this is a chapter of catastrophe, not all hope is lost. God has not given up on the covenant family. Though it seems darkness has consumed mankind, God’s light will inevitably shine and cause freedom once again.
Join me in praying the below prayer:
“Dear God, please forgive me for the times I have disobeyed You. Please restore those relationships I’ve hurt from my own selfishness. Please break my heart over my sin. Build me up into the person You desire me to be. I pray for all those who have suffered sexual assault of any kind; heal them of their pain, restore them from their trauma, and use them to testify of Your power to work all things for good. Help Your Church to raise awareness of, educate about, defend from, and combat against the sin of sexual assault. I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.”
Action Point
This event in Genesis is known as the “Dinah Incident” and is one that reminds all of us that sexual assault is a horrific reality in our world. Here are several recommendations for you and your church to get involved in this very important subject. Here’s how you and your church can be salt and light in this situation:
- Pray
- Implement, maintain, and update safe church child protection policies.
- Require leaders in the church to complete boundary and trauma training.
- Take a special offering for your local domestic violence or sexual assault organizations.
- During April (Sexual Assault Awareness) and October (Domestic Violence Awareness) encourage your church to participate in some way whether it be providing services to these organizations, having a sermon series, etc.
- Provide resources for your congregation to raise awareness and be educated.
- If you see something, say something! You can help stop someone from becoming a victim.
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