Genesis 34

"They killed Hamor and his son Shechem with their swords, took Dinah from Shechem's house, and went away.  Jacob's other sons came to the slaughter and plundered the city because their sister had been defiled."

Genesis 34:26-27

What an incredible punishment for Shechem's crime!  He raped Jacob's daughter, and so Dinah's brothers killed every male in Shechem's city...

While I was reading this, my first thought after Dinah was defiled was that Shechem should die.  I immediately thought of how I would feel if my sister was raped, or if I had a daughter in that situation: I would be so violently outraged that I would be completely unable to control myself.

Jacob and his sons showed a great deal more control than I would have been able to muster up.  They deceived Hamor and his son Shechem into thinking that they could share their women and become one family if all the men in Hamor's city circumcised themselves.  While they were all in pain from this procedure, the men of Jacob's household put Hamor's men to the sword.

Cunning, deceitful, and triumphant.  But is this a just punishment for one man's iniquity?  My own anger would have fled with Shechem's death, and the rest would have been unnecessary.  On the other hand, Shechem was a prince whose death would have been avenged by his city.  You could say that his vile act against Dinah was the first act of war between Hamor's city and Israel (Jacob's household).

Under what circumstances is war an acceptable approach?  What should the punishment be for rape?  How would one be able to think rationally when such a close family member has been taken advantage of in such a demeaning way?  I don't think I have any answers today... just more questions than I know what to do with.

Prayer of the day:

Protect my family from harm, and give us the strength and wisdom to overcome the obstacles that we face each day.  Watch over my wife and son, and guide their steps as you guide my own.  Bless us, so that we may bless You in return.  Amen.