There was also a daughter, Dinah, born of Leah. Shortly after the family had moved to a town in Canaan, Dinah went out into the city unattended to visit with the girls in their new hometown for her father had bought the land where they pitched their tents. While out alone, Jacob's daughter was raped by the prince of the land, Shechem. Her attacker was so drawn to Dinah, he actually asked for her hand in marriage declaring he would pay whatever dowry Jacob named! Shechem's father, Hamor, even stood in his behalf suggesting they intermarry and become "one people." (Genesis 34)
The sons of Jacob, Dinah's young brothers, who were actually thought to be in their early teens at the time, agreed to the deal offered by Shechem and his father citing only one stipulation. All of the men of the town must be circumcised. Ouch! The men readily agreed each with their own intent. Hamor, wanted Jacob's cattle and Shechem's "soul craved Dinah." As the father-son team ran into the town to deliver the news to the towns people, Dinah's brothers harbored their own deceitful intent. Meanwhile, Dinah was still kept at the house of her captor. I do wonder what must have been going through her mind. Can you say betrayal?
Three days after all of the men of the town were circumcised and still quite sore, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's full brothers, "took their swords and attacked the unsuspecting city, killing every male." They killed Hamor and Shechem and rescued Dinah. Then, all of Jacob's sons joined together in pillaging the town taking their flocks, herds, and "whatever was in the town and in the field."
The two hotheaded brothers did not, however, earn Jacob's favor for their vengeance, but rather his cursing for their major lapse in judgement. The family had to take up their stakes and move for Jacob understood the seriousness of their crimes and the possible repercussions. He said to Simeon and Levi, "You have brought trouble on me by making me a stench to the Canaanites and Perizzities, the people living in this land. We are few in number, and if they join forces against me and attack me, I and my household will be destroyed." The young boys replied with a weak, "well they shouldn't have done such a thing." I have to wonder if Jacob walked away shaking his head in disbelief of their immaturity, violent tempers, deceit, and sheer lack of remorse for such a horrible deed. What's more, Jacob's disappointment would not end with these two for their is yet another arrow in his quiver who also uses poor judgement, his firstborn Reuben.
We know in these days, the firstborn male and rightful heir should be the father's pride. However, Reuben allowed his own selfish motive and lack of self-control to distance him from his father's heart. During the time between the loss of his beloved Rachael who died giving birth to his youngest son Benjamin and the death of his father, Isaac, Jacob's eldest son slept with Bilhah, the mother of two of his brothers and, in fact, his father's concubine.
And then, there's Judah, another of Leah's sons. Judah left the family some time later, married and had sons of his own. His firstborn was wicked in the Lord's sight so much so "the Lord put him to death." After the death of his second son, Judah sent the widow of his firstborn, Tamar, home to her father until his third son became of age and could marry her. However, Judah did not keep his word to the girl. When she saw the boy had become of age, and the promise to her had been broken, she removed her widow's clothing and disguised herself as a prostitute. When Judah saw her, he solicited her services and Tamar became pregnant by her father-in-law. Judah gave her his seal and staff as promise for payment (a young goat from his flock.) She then returned home dressed as the grieving widow. Judah sent his payment by a friend, but of course the friend could not find "the prostitute." Judah decided not to pursue the matter for fear of his indiscretion being made known. Three months later, however, the little secret was exposed. When Judah found out Tamar was pregnant, he demanded she be put to death. However, once she was dragged before her accusers, Tamar produced the belongings of the man who was the child's father. Judah recognized his things and stated, "She is more righteous than I since I wouldn't give her to my son..." A quick sidebar: One has to think Judah must have been known to frequent prostitutes. Or it is just as likely he was not known as a man of high moral character; otherwise, this ruse would not have worked.
At this point, I'm sure Jacob would not have believed the majority of this group of brawlers would one day be known as the twelve tribes of Israel. I do wonder if these boys, the sons of Leah, were troublesome because the union of their parents was one born of deceit. It just goes to show God is "well able to keep that which belongs to Him" regardless of a rough start, a troubled childhood, a lack of a father's favor, and any obstacle along the way. God loves us and can take miserable circumstances and turn them out for good, beauty for ashes--a theme that resonates throughout Joseph's life.
Jude 1:24, 25 "Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior,Who alone is wise be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen."
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