"And the sons of Jacob came in from the field when they heard it; and the men were grieved and very angry, because he had done a disgraceful thing in Israel by lying with Jacob’s daughter …" (Gen. 34:7a).
We read in chapter 34 of Genesis that Shechem violated Dinah, the daughter of Jacob. Now Jacob told his sons that Shechem had violated Dinah because of the passion in his heart. Jacob was upset, of course, but he held his peace. But when the sons heard it, they were grieved and very angry because Shechem had violated their sister and had brought shame to Israel. Their anger was justified because the rape of their sister had been wrong.
Jacob dealt with the situation by seeking reconciliation with the man’s father. An agreement was made between the two households that Dinah would marry Shechem if they agreed to be circumcised. Apparently, all of this satisfied Jacob, Dinah’s father, but it did not appease the wrath of her brothers, for they took revenge on Shechem by attacking the city, killing the men, taking captive the women and children, and plundering the city.
When Jacob heard of what the sons had done, he rebuked them for their actions. But the brothers defended themselves by saying, “Did he have any right to treat our sister like a harlot. All we did was avenge our sister.” But did they? They had killed everyone, all those who had come under Jacob’s protection, in a bloodthirsty vendetta.
While their anger was justifiable, they sinned in their anger. And they lost the promised kingdom because of their reckless behavior. Judah received the promise instead of Reuben, Simeon or Levi. Jacob said that his honor would not be united to their cruelty. Jacob’s word had been violated because of the actions of his sons, so he took from them their inheritance. In their anger, they killed men. “Cursed be their anger for it is fierce, and their wrath for it is cruel. I will divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel.” The line of the Messiah did not come from Reuben, Simeon or Levi because of their wrong, twisted, uncontrolled expression of anger.
It is not uncommon for people to lash out in uncontrolled anger and thereby lose blessings. David came close to experiencing this loss because of his anger (1 Sam. 25:32–34), but through the intercession of Abigail he was saved from bloodshed. May we learn from incidents such as these to keep our anger from turning to rage, and to imitate Christ who was angry but did not sin.
Have you ever read passages of Scripture wherein it looked as if God’s anger was out of control? Rethink your interpretation in light of our study today. To lash out in rage is wrong. Have you ever lashed out in rage at someone? Have you repented for your uncontrolled anger? Confess any rage in your heart today, and find peace in Christ.
