Genesis 34 & 35

A MODERN DAY "SOAP" TV SERIES

Some things to consider before we look at chapter 34 God is in control!!!

Mankind is well aware of His control.

Isaiah 49: 9-1 1 Remember / Romans 1:18-20 Wrath of God

God had previously sent instructions to Jacob. Very specific instructions.

Chapter 31 :3 "Go back to the land of your father's and to your relatives, and I will be with you. That land? Canaan.

Genesis 34:1

[34] Now Dinah, the daughter Leah had borne to Jacob, went out to visit the women of the land.

The Roman historian and scholar Josephus clarifies a couple important things.

Dinah was about 13 to 15 years old. In her culture, that was a mature age and has certain feelings that go along with her maturity.

There was a festival taking place. So, there was most likely, more than just a visit to see some girlfriends. Kids will be kids.

It seems as though there just might be more to this visit than just fun with friends.

She was not escorted and the festival was a pagan environment. In her desire to have fun, she most likely wasn't free of any blame. Most parents in that time would not have approved of this trip.

Genesis 34:2-4

[2] When Shechem son of Hamor the Hivite, the ruler of that area, saw her, he took her and raped her. [3] His heart was drawn to Dinah daughter of Jacob; he loved the young woman and spoke tenderly to her. [4] And Shechem said to his father Hamor, "Get me this girl as my wife

Wow! Just like a typical young guy. She is beautiful and he has had his way with her and he liked it! Love at first sight!

It was wrong and he knew it. Daddy! Give me what I want.

Read: Genesis 34:5-12

We need to remember the relationship between Hamor and Jacob.

These were two people that didn't like each other very much.

God had said that Jacob should not allow inter marriage with the other tribes. Specifically, here with the Hivites.

Jacob's is God's chosen lineage to Jesus. Not Esau's lineage.

Note: Verses 8 - 10 are basically a death sentence for the male members of Hamors family / relatives. Deceptions of war! Who'd have guessed!

Read: Genesis 34:13-29

Jacob and Esau were both fairly wealthy. Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for some food. And Esau (and his mother) tricked his father Isaac into giving Esau the blessing of wealth and prosperity.

Is it possible that forgiveness and forgetting might just not be what happens?

It ended up that there were no male survivors to keep up the family line. Jesus is the descendant of Jacob. (Jacob's seed)

It seems as though this whole thing was a scheme of Simeon and Levi. Jacob was upset.

Read Genesis 31

Jacob said to his sons that they have brought trouble on to the family. Go back to verse 1 1.

Jacob was well aware of what was going on.

Simeon and Levi gave a very reasonable argument.

STAY TUNED FOR SCENES FROM OUR NEXT EPISODE!!!

On to Genesis 35

Genesis 35:1-5

[1] Then God said to Jacob, "Go up to Bethel and settle there, and build an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you were fleeing from your brother Esau." [2] So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, "Get rid of the foreign gods you have with you, and purify yourselves and change your clothes. [3] Then come, let us go up to Bethel, where I will build an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and who has been with me wherever I have gone. " [4] So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods they had and the rings in their ears, and Jacob buried them under the oak at Shechem. [5]

Then they set out, and the terror of God fell on the towns all around them so that no one pursued them.

God speaks with Jacob with more specific instructions.

Go to Bethel, build an altar.

But now it Jacob's turn to give instructions.

Note that these were instructions to his household and to "ALL WHO WERE WITH HIM' Look back at Genesis 34:29

Genesis 34:29

[29] They carried off all their wealth and all their women and children, taking as plunder everything in the houses

These were the people (women and children) that were left after the killing of the entire male population of the Hivites (Gibeonites).

Remember the Joshua account when the Israelites were moving in to the "PROMISED" land? The Gibeonites were the group that deceived Joshua to make a peace treaty. Joshua let them live and they were not driven from the land. (As God had instructed to do).

They were idol worshipers.

God protected them as they went through hostile areas. Read Genesis 35:6-8

God has this way of teaching his people to "remember" what He has done for them. Build an alter and remember. Thank God for what He has done and what He will do.

Read Genesis 35:9-14

Jacob received a new name. ISRAEL.

He also received a blessing to be fruitful and multiply. With many kings and nations as part of his heritage.

Read Genesis 35: 15-29

Rachel gave birth to Benjamin as she was dying.

Ruben sleeps with Bilhah.

Jacob's 12 sons are recorded.

Jacob goes home to his father Isaac.

Isaac lives to 180 years and dies and is buried by his sons Esau and Jacob.

How to relate this section to our own lives.

God is always in control.

His instructions are always good.

He will do everything necessary to bring His plan of salvation to man.

Are we?