| Back to Home Page | Back to Book Index
|
Genesis Chapter
Thirty-four
Genesis 34
Chapter Contents
Dinah defiled by Shechem. (1-19) The Shechemites murdered
by Simeon and Levi. (20-31)
Commentary on Genesis 34:1-19
Young persons, especially females, are never so safe and
well off as under the care of pious parents. Their own ignorance, and the
flattery and artifices of designing, wicked people, who are ever laying snares
for them, expose them to great danger. They are their own enemies if they
desire to go abroad, especially alone, among strangers to true religion. Those
parents are very wrong who do not hinder their children from needlessly
exposing themselves to danger. Indulged children, like Dinah, often become a
grief and shame to their families. Her pretence was, to see the daughters of
the land, to see how they dressed, and how they danced, and what was
fashionable among them; she went to see, yet that was not all, she went to be
seen too. She went to get acquaintance with the Canaanites, and to learn their
ways. See what came of Dinah's gadding. The beginning of sin is as the letting
forth of water. How great a matter does a little fire kindle! We should
carefully avoid all occasions of sin and approaches to it.
Commentary on Genesis 34:20-31
The Shechemites submitted to the sacred rite, only to
serve a turn, to please their prince, and to enrich themselves, and it was just
with God to bring punishment upon them. As nothing secures us better than true
religion, so nothing exposes us more than religion only pretended to. But
Simeon and Levi were most unrighteous. Those who act wickedly, under the
pretext of religion, are the worst enemies of the truth, and harden the hearts
of many to destruction. The crimes of others form no excuse for us. Alas! how
one sin leads on to another, and, like flames of fire, spread desolation in
every direction! Foolish pleasures lead to seduction; seduction produces wrath;
wrath thirsts for revenge; the thirst of revenge has recourse to treachery;
treachery issues in murder; and murder is followed by other lawless actions.
Were we to trace the history of unlawful commerce between the sexes, we should
find it, more than any other sin, ending in blood.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on Genesis》
Genesis 34
Verse 1
[1] And Dinah the daughter of Leah, which she bare unto
Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land.
Dinah was then about fifteen or sixteen years of age when
she went out to see the daughters of the land - Probably on some public day.
She went to see; yet that was not all, she went to be seen too: she went to see
the daughters of the land|, but it may be with some thoughts of the sons of the
land too.
Verse 7
[7] And the sons of Jacob came out of the field when they
heard it: and the men were grieved, and they were very wroth, because he had
wrought folly in Israel in lying with Jacob's daughter; which thing ought not
to be done.
It is called folly in Israel - According to the language
of after-times, for Israel was not yet a people, but a family only.
Verse 8
[8] And Hamor communed with them, saying, The soul of my son
Shechem longeth for your daughter: I pray you give her him to wife.
Hamor communed — That is, talked. He came to treat
with Jacob himself, but he turns them over to his sons. And here we have a
particular account of the treaty, in which it is a shame to say the Canaanites
were more honest than the Israelites.
Verse 18
[18] And their words pleased Hamor, and Shechem Hamor's son.
Hamor and Shechem gave consent themselves to be
circumcised. To this perhaps they were moved not only by the strong desire they
had to bring about, this match, but by what they might have heard of the sacred
and honourable intentions of this sign, in the family of Abraham, which it is
probable they had some confused notions of, and of the promises confirmed by
it; which made them the more desirous to incorporate with the family of Jacob.
Verse 23
[23] Shall not their cattle and their substance and every
beast of theirs be ours? only let us consent unto them, and they will dwell
with us.
Shall not their cattle and their substance be ours? — They observed that
Jacob's sons were industrious, thriving people, and promised themselves and
their neighbours advantage by an alliance with them: it would improve ground
and trade, and bring money into their country.
Verse 25
[25] And it came to pass on the third day, when they were
sore, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brethren, took
each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males.
They slew all the males — Nothing can excuse
this execrable villainy. It was true Shechem had wrought folly in Israel, in
defiling Dinah: but it ought to have been considered how far Dinah herself had
been accessary to it. Had Shechem abused her in her mother's tent, it had been
another matter; but she went upon his ground, and struck the spark which began
the fire. When we are severe upon the sinner, we ought to consider who was the
tempter. It was true that Shechem had done ill; but he was endeavouring to
atone for it, and was as honest and honourable afterwards as the case would
admit. It was true that Shechem had done ill, but what was that to all the
Shechemites? Doth one man sin, and must the innocent fall with the guilty? This
was barbarous indeed. But that which above all aggravated the cruelty, was the
most perfidious treachery that was in it. The Shechemites had submitted to
their conditions, and had done that upon which they had promised to become one
people with them. Yet they act as sworn enemies to those to whom they were
lately become sworn friends, making as light of their covenant as they did of
the laws of humanity. And these are the sons of Israel? Cursed be their anger,
for it was fierce.
Verse 27
[27] The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the
city, because they had defiled their sister.
Tho' Simeon and Levi only were the murderers, yet others
of the sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city - And so became
accessary to the murder.
Verse 30
[30] 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.
Ye have troubled me, to make me to stink among the
inhabitants of the land — That is, You have rendered my family odious among
them. And what could be expected but that the Canaanites, who were numerous and
formidable, would confederate against him, and he and his little family would
become an easy prey to them? I shall be destroyed, I and my house - Jacob knew
indeed that God had promised to preserve his house; but he might justly fear that
these vile practices of his children would amount to a forfeiture, and cut off
the entail. When sin is in the house, there is reason to fear ruin at the door.
Verse 31
[31] And they said, Should he deal with our sister as with an
harlot?
Should he deal with our sister as with an harlot? — No, he should not;
but, if he do, Must they be their own avengers? And nothing less than so many
lives, and the ruin of a whole city, serve to atone for the abuse.
── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on
Genesis》
34 Chapter 34
Verses 1-5
Dinah the daughter of Leah . . . went out to see
Dinah’s inglorious march
I.
SHE
CAME.
II. SHE SAW.
III. SHE WAS CONQUERED.
(J. Henry Burn, B. D.)
Dinah’s dishonour
I. THAT THERE IS
GREAT DANGER IN A VAIN CURIOSITY OF SEEING THE WORLD. Dinah was curious to know
the ways and customs of the surrounding people. This led to a careless
intimacy, which ended in accomplishing her ruin. She ought not to have wandered
beyond parental control and supervision, nor disregarded the duty of separation
from an idolatrous people, and their manners and habits. “Evil communications
corrupt good manners.” The inhabitants of that country were to the family of
Jacob what the present world is to the Christian. It is dangerous to the
interests of the soul to indulge in the vain curiosity of knowing the evil ways
of the world. What is called “ seeing life” may prove, in many cases, to be but
tasting death. Familiarity blunts the sense of things sinful, and increases the
danger of temptation.
II. THAT SOME
SENTIMENT OF VIRTUE MAY REMAIN IN THOSE ADDICTED TO THE WORST SOCIAL VICES.
Shechem, we are told, “loved the damsel, and spake kindly unto the damsel.” He
was willing to make honourable amends, as far as could be, by an offer of
marriage. In this he was generous and noble, for lust commonly ends in
loathing. Amnon abhors Tamar as before he loved her. But this man desires to
cover his fault by marriage, and promises low and fidelity. He had many of the
vices of the great and powerful, but was not without some remains of virtue.
The conduct of this heathen man is a rebuke to many who dwell in Christian
lands.
III. THAT
INCREASING TROUBLES MAY FALL TO THE LOT OF GOOD MEN. Jacob now suffered one of
the most dreadful calamities that can fall upon a household--the disgrace and
ruin of his daughter. When he heard of it he “held his peace,” as if stunned by
the blow (Genesis 34:5). (T. H. Leale.)
Dinah’s curiosity
As her mother Leah, so she hath a fault in her eyes, which was
curiosity. She will needs see, and be seen; and whilst she doth vainly see, she
is seen lustfully. It is not enough for us to look to our own thoughts, except
we beware of the provocations of others. If we once wander out of the lists
that God hath set us in our callings, there is nothing but danger. Her eyes
were guilty of the temptation; only to see is an insufficient r arrant to draw
us into places of spiritual hazard. If Shechem had seen her busy at home, his
love had been free from outrage; now the lightness of her presence gave
encouragement to his inordinate desires. Immodesty of behaviour makes way to
lust, and gives life unto wicked hopes. (Bishop Hall.)
The eyes a source of danger
By those windows of the eyes and ears sin and death often enter.
See to the cinque ports if ye would keep out the enemy. Shut up the five
windows if ye would have the house, the heart, full of light, saith the Arabian
proverb. (J. Trapp.)
Lessons
1. Sad occurrences may be ordered to saints while they sit by God’s
altar. Worship is not without trial.
2. Religious care of God misplaced doth not exempt parents and
children from sad temptations. Jacob worshipped by Shalem, not at Bethel.
3. Mothers’ sins Providence may hit in daughters’ miscarriages.
4. The children of saints, and specially daughters, may be occasion
of great affliction to parents.
5. Wilfulness and wantonness urge on young souls to their own
mischief, and grief of parents.
6. Unruly appetites to know the fashions and vain courses of others
bring many souls into grievous snares.
7. Vain sights and spectacles in revels and wanton garbs may
occasion loss of purity (Genesis 34:1). (G. Hughes, B. D.)
Lessons
1. Great men’s children are not usually the best; but vile and
debauched. So Shechem the son of a prince.
2. Sons of great men are apt to think they may sin by authority;
being not restrained.
3. It is a dangerous thing for an innocent damsel to come under the
eye of lascivious men.
4. Lustful sight of beauty moveth hearts to take hold of
opportunities to enjoy 2:5. Lust holds fast of its prey, will certainly close
with it, humble, and afflict it (Genesis 2:2).
6. Lust layeth out the very soul of man upon its prey desired.
7. Unclean love is the usual fruit of violent and injurious lust.
8. Lust will speak to the heart of any whom it may tempt unto
unclean enjoyment (Genesis 2:3).
9. Brutish lust cannot deny the parents’ right in ordering children
unto marriage.
10. Lust itself will desire God’s ordinance of marriage for its own
vile ends (Genesis 2:4). (G. Hughes, B. D.)
Lessons
1. Sad tidings of children’s miscarriages and miseries may be
brought to gracious parents.
2. Reports and hearing of evil, especially in dear children, strikes
deep, through ears, to the hearts of parents.
3. Shechem’s violence upon Dinah, or of wicked me-, upon the
daughters of the Church, is very sad.
4. Such evils may befall relations while they are honestly employed,
and think not of it.
5. Silence in grieving, considering, and bearing such providences,
becometh saints.
6. Silence of grieved spirits may well be broken off, when such are
present whom they may consult for ease (Genesis 34:5). (G. Hughes, B.
D.)
Dinah’s fall
It is a startling announcement; but it contains nothing more than
might have been expected. Poor girl, a moth fluttering about a flame! A foolish
fish nibbling at the bait! Was she lonely, being the only girl? Did she want to
show off some piece of jewellery or dress? Did she long for more admiration, or
fascinating society, than she could find at home? Was there a secret drawing to
the young men of the place? She went along a path that seemed to her girlish
fancy ever so much more attractive than the dull routine of home. She took no
heed of the warnings that may have been addressed to her. And it all ended--as it
has ended in thousands of cases since--in misery, ruin, and unutterable
disgrace. She was kindly received. The world will always give a hearty welcome
to those who bear a Christian name. Perhaps there is a sense of relief in
feeling that it cannot be so bad after all, since Christians do not hesitate to
take part with it. The welcome and “well-done” of worldly men should always put
us on our guard. “What evil thing have I done,” said s shrewd observer, “that
yonder worldling speaks so well of me?” She fascinated the young prince, and
fell. It is the old, old story, which is ever new. On the one hand-rank, and
wealth, and unbridled appetite; on the other--beauty, weakness, and dallying
with temptation. But to whom was her fall due? To Shechem? Yes. To herself?
Yes. But also to Jacob. He must for ever reproach himself for his daughter’s
murdered innocence. But of what use were his reproaches, when the deed was
done; and the honour of his house was gone; and his name stank among the
inhabitants of the land?. Would that some Christian parents, reading these
words, might take warning as to the end of a pathway:on which they are
encouraging their children to tread! To stay now may save them tears of blood,
and years of fruitless agony. (F. B.Meyer, B. A.)
Caution to young people
It is natural to suppose that the younger branches of the family,
hearing everything that was going on among the youth of the place, would think
it hard if they must not go amongst them. Whether the sons formed acquaintances
among the Shechemites, we know not; but Dinah on a certain occasion must needs
“go out to see the daughters of the land.” She wished no doubt to be acquainted
with them, to see and be seen of them, and to do as they did. It might not be
to a ball, nor a card party; but I presume it was to some merrymaking of this
kind: and though the daughters of the land were her professed companions, yet
the sons of the land must have assembled with them, else how came Shechem
there? Young people, if you have any regard for your parents, or for
yourselves, beware of such parties! The consequence was what might have been
expected. Shechem was the son of the “prince of the country,” and men of rank
and opulence are apt to think themselves entitled to do anything which their
inclinations prompt them to. The young woman was inexperienced, and unused to
company of this kind; she therefore fell an easy prey to the seducer. But could
Dinah have gone without the consent or connivance of her parents, at least one
of them? We should think she could not. I fear Leah was not clear in this
matter. (A. Fuller.)
Caution to parents
If Jacob had not settled at Shechem, Dinah would not have been
dishonoured, and the violence of his sons would not have been exhibited. We
constantly see Christians getting into deep sorrow and trouble through their
own unfaithfulness; and then, instead of judging themselves, they begin to look
at circumstances, and to cast upon them the blame. Hew often do we see
Christian parents, for instance, in keen anguish of soul about the wildness,
unsubduedness, and worldliness of their children; and, all the while, they have
mainly to blame themselves for not walking faithfully before God in reference
to their family. Thus was it with Jacob. He was on low moral ground at Shechem;
and, inasmuch as he lacked that refined sensibility which would have led him to
detect the low ground, God, in very faithfulness, used his circumstances to
chastise him. “God is not mocked, for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he
also reap.” This is a principle flowing out of God’s moral government-a
principle, from the application of which none can possibly escape; and it is a
positive mercy to the children of God that they are obliged to reap the fruits
of their errors. It is a mercy to be taught, in any way, the bitterness of
departing from, or stopping short of, the living God. We must learn that this
is not our rest; for, blessed be God, He would not give us a polluted rest. He
would ever have us resting in and with Himself. (C. H. M.)
Dinah
Inferences hence are various.
1. The most pious and faithful families may have most fearful
mischiefs befall them, as Jacob’s had here and elsewhere, and David’s many
afterwards. The worst miscarriages, through Satan’s malice, may happen in the
best families.
2. The second inference is, such foul miscarriages fall not out in
such godly families but usually there is some sin or other therein, which
justly vindicates God’s righteousness in permitting such severe judgments to
befall them. And it is apparent too in Jacob’s case, when this first
miscarriage in his house came upon him. It was now some seven or eight years
since the Lord brought him back from Haran or Padanaram, yet had he not all
this time thought of paying that vow which he made to God when he was going
thither (Genesis 28:20, &c.)
3. The third inference is, all needless gaddings abroad are of
dangerous consequence to young people, who are unfit to be wholly at their own
finding; especially the weaker sex, which may prove strong enough to provoke,
but over-weak to resist a temptation.
4. The fourth inference is, if this mischievous miscarriage happened
to Jacob’s house through the indulgence of the mother in too much cockering her
dear and only daughter, this sounds a loud alarm to all over-fond mothers,
whose over-strong affections will probably bring over-strong afflictions. And
where they do love too much, they may possibly grieve too much; as Leah here,
who might read her sin writ upon her punishment. (C. Ness.)
Dinah
Not without reason had Dinah been mentioned previously among the
children of Leah (Genesis 30:21); she was intended to be
the first cause of her father’s sorrow. An interval of six or eight years
elapsed between the departure from Mesopotamia and the event here narrated;
Dinah had become a blooming maiden; she had reached that age when Oriental
virgins attain the full charm of their beauty. During that tong sojourn in
Shechem, she formed friendships with the daughters of the natives, and had
entered with them into social intercourse. Was this conduct culpable? Was it an
offence deserving punishment? It almost appears that it was regarded as such;
for she became both an object of violence and the cause of massacre; and, in
Biblical history, there exists no misfortune without corresponding guilt. Dinah
had preserved in her mind the vocation of her family; she did not comprehend
that a perfect separation was indispensable from idolatrous tribes, whose moral
reformation could not be expected, whose pernicious example could only infect
the Hebrews, and whose doom was sealed on account of their iniquity. She paid
the full penalty of her carelessness. She suffered the fate which Sarah and
Rebekah encountered in the land of Pharaoh and of Abimelech; she was seen and
taken by the son of the prince; but no angel guarded her innocence; no Divine
vision shielded her from disgrace; and she fell a victim to Shechem’s passion.
She did not require that immediate protection which her ancestors had enjoyed;
she was a maiden, no wife; her father possessed a piece of land within which he
was safe; and she belonged to a numerous family well capable of defending their
rights. But Shechem was neither licentious nor frivolous; though he had been
ensnared by passion, his heart was not debased, and he was ready to make the
only reparation which the circumstances permitted; he loved Dinah; his soul
clung to her, and he spoke to her heart; he endeavoured to secure her
affection, and wished to make her his legitimate wife; he therefore asked his
father to treat for him, and to solicit the consent of her family. (M.
M.Kalisch, Ph. D.)
They slew Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge of the sword,
and took Dinah out of Shechem’s house
The punishment of Dinah’s dishonour
I.
IT
WAS PROMPTED BY A FEELING OF VENGEANCE AGAINST THE DOER OF A GROSS MORAL WRONG.
II. IT WAS A
GRIEVOUS SIN.
1. Unjust and cruel. The punishment was far in excess of the fault,
and the innocent were made to suffer with the guilty.
2. IT was committed under the hypocritical pretence of religion.
3. It was perilous to the true interests of the kingdom of God (Genesis 34:30). (T. H.Leale.)
Sinful policy
The execution of this project was marked--
1. By the vilest hypocrisy. They pretended to have scruples of
conscience about connecting themselves with persons who were uncircumcised.
2. By the grossest profaneness. They knew that if the Shechemites
were persuaded to submit to circumcision it would be a mere form, leaving them
as to their relation to God just where they were before. They propose that the
males should receive the seal of God’s holy covenant, not in order to obtain
any spiritual benefit, but solely with a view to carnal gratification.
3. It was conceived in the spirit of the most savage cruelty. What
amazing depravity does it argue, first to form such a horrid purpose, and then
to cover it with the cloak of religion. (W. Bush.)
Sin begets sin
Alas, how one sin leads to another, and like flames of fire,
spreads desolation in every direction! Dissipation leads to seduction;
seduction produces wrath; wrath thirsts for revenge; the thirst of revenge has
recourse to treachery; treachery issues in murder; and murder is followed by
lawless depredation! Were we to trace the history of illicit commerce between
the sexes, we should find it, more perhaps than any other sin, terminating in
blood. We may read this warning truth not only in the life of David and his
family, but in what is constantly occurring in our own times. The murder of the
innocent offspring by the hand of the mother, or of the mother by the hand of
the seducer; or of the seducer by the hand of a brother, or a supplanted
rival--are events which too frequently fail under our notice. Nor is this all,
even in the present world. Murder seldom escapes detection: a public execution
therefore may be expected to close the tragical process! (A. Fuller.)
Lessons
1. Sad news of misery on relations calling for help may take men off
from their employments.
2. Grief is a duty for evil done to, or by, any of our relations.
3. Anger against sin committed is but due, if it be expressed
orderly.
4. Men, though in the Church, are apt to be transported in wrath
beyond bounds.
5. Uncleanness acted is the greatest folly that can be expressed Proverbs 7:22).
6. Pollution of any members in the Church of God is an aggravated
folly.
7. Jacob’s daughter to be defiled; it is a sad and grievous
reproach.
8. The law of God expressly forbids such unclean actings. Therefore
are they exceeding sinful in the Church (verse 7). (G. Hughes, B. D.)
Lessons
1. Sinful indulgent parents cover the foul enormities of rebellious
children with fair pretences.
2. Wicked offenders love to be silent as to the confession of their
villanies.
3. Lustful love is given out with the very soul, and may continue
after violence done, the object abiding.
4. Injurious, violent men may entreat compliance with the afflicted
and oppressed ones.
5. Marriage may be desired by wicked adulterers to hide their
uncleanness (Genesis 34:8).
6. General overtures of kindness may be made by wicked men of power
for their special ends.
7. The world have desired affinity with the Church of God upon
design (Genesis 34:9).
8. Worldly powers may court the pilgrim Church to sit down with them
for their own advantage.
9. Territories of princes are opened to the sons of the Church to
engage them to evil.
10. Free trade, commerce, and possessions, are the baits wherewith
worldly powers allure God’s servants unto their lusts.
11. Kingdoms and all will lust, part with all, to enjoy its pleasure
(Genesis 34:10). So Herod (Mark 6:22-23). (G. Hughes, B. D.)
Lessons
1. Lustful men may crouch to such as they have offended to get
favour from them.
2. Lust is willing to buy out favour where it hath provoked (Genesis 34:11).
3. Lust maketh men profuse and prodigal to have their pleasure,
though to their own undoing.
4. Lustful creatures would buy out their offences, though not
confess or bemoan them.
5. Lust agreeth to give men their demands that it may enjoy its own.
6. Lust acquiesceth only in the enjoyment of its desired evil (Genesis 34:12). (G. Hughes, B. D.)
Lessons
1. Overflowing sorrows may
cause wise and good fathers to entrust young children too much with great
affairs.
2. Management of such great affairs wants good success usually,
because acted by such hands.
3. Brethren under fathers may have a right as to disposing their
sisters, wherein they may give counsel.
4. The sons of Jacob may be guileful, though he be plain.
5. Corruption and thoughts of revenge may move the sons of the
Church to deal deceitfully (Genesis 34:13).
6. The children of the Church cannot do justly what God forbids
them.
7. It is unlawful for Church members to mingle themselves in
marriages with God’s enemies (1 Corinthians 7:39).
8. It is a reproach unto the Church to act contrary to God’s
ordinances.
9. The sons of the Church may urge God’s truths to wicked purposes (Genesis 34:14).
10. Visible professors in the Church may wickedly offer God’s
sacraments to be vilified by men.
11. Church-members may possibly err in annexing God’s seals to men’s
covenants.
12. Hypocrisy makes religion a cloak to iniquity.
13. Foolish men may consent to what God forbids for their wicked ends
(Genesis 34:15).
14. Marriages between the Church and God’s enemies hypocrites may
admit upon design.
15. Wickedness may persuade men of the Church to become one people
with the world (Genesis 34:16).
16. Hypocrisy seems resolute to take its course where its conditions
are refused.
17. Subtilty suggests men’s denials and departure to make adversaries
follow after them (Genesis 34:17). (G. Hughes, B. D.)
Lessons
1. Sinful lust maketh like father like son.
2. Lust is pleased with the hardest terms for self-enjoyment.
3. Lust makes men yield to their own ruin without deliberation. The
greatest evil seemeth good (Genesis 34:18). (G. Hughes, B. D.)
Lessons
1. Childish fools hasten to the stocks and slaughter, and consider
it not.
2. Lust needs no spurs, but hastes all it may to enjoy its pleasure.
3. Lust made honourable in persons, becomes most exemplary to lead
others into the snare (Genesis 34:19). (G. Hughes, B. D.)
Lessons
1. Lustful rulers bring all under them into evils with themselves.
2. Judicatures, or gates of cities, are perverted and seduced by
wicked rulers; they are made places to plead for lust.
3. Evil rulers use their tongues and speeches to deceive their
people (Genesis 34:20).
4. Lust will commend any by whom it may be gratified, though it find
the contrary.
5. Self-seeking princes will persuade people to anything for their
own ends.
6. Wicked powers pretend lawful affinity to be made when they aim at
sinful lust (Genesis 34:21).
7. Lustful rulers do not only submit to hard conditions themselves,
but press them on their people.
8. Lust is content to symbolize in the hardest duty external of
religion, to enjoy its desire.
9. Lust desires to unite with any people who gratify its desires (Genesis 34:22).
10. Pretence of gain, and spoil, and advantage, is a fit bait to
bring seduced souls to consent to lust.
11. Rulers in sin will never leave until they bring their people to
consent with them to evil (Genesis 34:23). (G. Hughes, B. D.)
Lessons
1. Wicked people easily yield to wicked rulers to gratify their
lusts.
2. It is usual for all to follow the example of rulers to sin.
3. Universal consent in evil is permitted where universal
destruction is intended (Genesis 34:24). (G. Hughes, B. D.)
Lessons
1. Treachery and cruelty watch their season exactly to effect their
designs.
2. Guileful cruelty hath its method first to weaken men and then to
kill them.
3. Anger and revenge ordered under Providence may make two prevail
against thousands.
4. Corrupt nature meditates revenge to vindicate injury done unto
relations.
5. Reverge goeth armed with instruments of cruelty to execute its
designs.
6. Cruelty, uncontrolled by God, goeth out with security and
confidence to ruin cities.
7. Bloody revenge spareth none that either have provoked, or may
resist it.
8. God sometimes suffers ruin to befall subjects when they comply
with rulers’ sins (Genesis 34:25).
9. Exemplary destruction for rapes God orders upon father and son,
sometimes even by wicked hands.
10. Ordinances of God abused to men’s base ends, are made means to
their own destruction.
11. Revenge is not quiet until it obtain its mark and carry back its
desire (Genesis 34:26).
12. A few revengeful spirits are apt to gather many unto them.
13. Bloody minds are covetous as cruel, set upon spoil.
14. Injury and provocation is usually urged by oppressing spoilers as
just ground for their actings (Genesis 34:27).
15. Rapine of goods God sometimes orders to avenge ravishing of
innocents.
16. Unsatiable is covetous revenge when it comes to spoil at its will
(Genesis 34:28).
17. Revenge spareth neither sex nor age under its power.
18. Wealth within doors, as without the sword, takes up when it hath
commission (Genesis 34:29). (G. Hughes, B. D.)
Lessons
1. Gracious parents are justly angry with the sins of ungracious
children, and should express it.
2. The chiefest leaders into sin should chiefly be set upon in angry
reproof.
3. Sins of wicked children cannot but trouble and vex the spirits of
gracious parents.
4. Horrid enormities of sons may bring all vexation and trouble upon
parents.
5. Sin, wherever it is, makes an ill savour, a filthy stink.
6. Children’s sins often make their parents stink in the nostrils of
men.
7. Notorious crimes in the members of the Church make the best of
men stink in the world.
8. Guilt in persons, families, and Church, giveth just cause to fear
dangers from God’s hand.
9. Little strength in the arm of flesh is an occasion of fear to
saints in respect of great enemies.
10. The combination of the wicked against the Church, provoked by its
members, is a just ground for fear.
11. The strokes of the wicked unto death may be terrible unto God’s
servants.
12. Destruction, usually sought by the wicked to the whole Church,
may terrify the members of it.
13. Fear of danger may arise, under the promise of God’s protection,
when souls obey not God (Genesis 34:30).
14. Outrageous spirits, though sons, regard not the honour of parents
or God in their returns and replies to them.
15. Revenge seeks to justify outrage by pretence of sin, though men
are not called to it.
16. Stupration of innocents hath exemplary returns of judgment from
God.
17. Crimes of Church members are recorded for the Church’s instruction
(Genesis 34:31). (G. Hughes, B. D.)
The second mischief and miscarriage in Jacob’s house was the
massacre made upon the city Shechem, wherein Dinah had been deflowered, by his
two sons, Simeon and Levi. This followed the first mischief, as the effect doth
the cause, and as the thread doth the needle. This punishment is--
1. Projected.
2. Prosecuted.
3. Executed.
(a) The inducement was twofold.
(b) Jacob’s silence (Genesis 34:5). (C. Ness.)
Marrying unbelievers
The Rev. S. Kilpin, of Exeter, had witnessed the awful
consequences produced in the Church of Christ, and in families from those who
professed to be the disciples of Jesus, forming marriages contrary to the
command--“Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers,” “only in the Lord,” &c.
As he never shunned to declare the whole counsel of God, this subject was
presented to his congregation. The next day, a gentleman, whose name or
residence he never knew, called to thank him for the discourse, adding that his
state of mind, when he entered Exeter, was most distressing, as he was on the
very point of complying with a dreadful temptation which would have embittered
his future life. He had been a disciple of Christ, was anxious to consecrate
his life to the service of his adorable Muster, and had sought a helpmate to
strengthen his hands in serving God. A lady, whom he deemed pious, had accepted
his addresses; but, when every customary arrangement was made, she had
dishonourably discarded him. His mind was so exceedingly wounded and disgusted,
that he had determined to choose a wife who made no profession of religion, and
had fixed on another object for his addresses, with every prospect of success,
although he had not as yet mentioned his intention to her. He added, “But the
providence of God led me, an entire stranger in this city, to your
meeting-house. You may suppose that your subject arrested my attention. You
appeared to be acquainted with every feeling of my soul. I saw my danger, and perceived
the temptation, and the certain ruin of my peace, if the dreadful snare had not
been broken. You, sir, under God, have been my deliverer. By the next Sabbath I
should have been bound in honour to an enemy of that Jesus whom I adore; for
although she is moral and externally correct, yet she knows the Saviour only in
name. I could not leave the city in peace until I had sought to make this
communication.” They unitedly addressed Him who can deliver, and does deliver
His people. Thus, while part of his congregation thought it an unfit subject
for the pulpit, at least one person received it as a message from God, by whom
it was no doubt sent. (Moral and Religious Anecdotes.)
──《The Biblical Illustrator》