Simeon & Levi Murder The Men of Shechem - Genesis 34

[@joanherr9591]

This chapter of the Bible has always troubled me because firstly, I always think of Jacob as just a complete shyster and God chose him. He got the blessing in a poor manner and he got the birth right in a deceitful manner, he lies to Esau and settles in For Sheckem, not Seir. And then his daughter is defiled and his sons take retribution. I have used your commentaries often to try to understand passages and this is the first time I've ever listened to your commentary on this particular chapter. You make so many great points as a parent and as a grandparent in not compromising, and how one choice can lead to soon, you're acting like the pagans that surround you. In my own life, I think of some of the choices and ways that I have acted that have contributed to my children's decisions. I also wonder about how Jacob should have they reacted to Diana's defilement. Thank you for your ministry, I always learn things I never obtained by my own study . You bring life to the passages in ways I can apply and tell others. Nun

[@DavidGuzikEnduringWord]

Wonderful, thank you for sharing this!

[@patsylynn2]

This was such a dark chapter in their lives. Thank you for explaining it all so well. There are so many lessons here to be learned.

[@Psalm91-ey2us]

Thank you for helping The Word come alive. God bless you!

[@ReallyKindaJoyful]

This was a very helpful breakdown of this part of the Bible. When I first read it, I have to admit I recognized the wrong in how Simeon and Levi acted by killing all the men in the village. But I originally also respected that they defended their sister after such a brutal attack especially during a time when women were often treated as things to be traded for aka property. However, after listening to this breakdown I have a better in depth understanding of the wrong done and how the offense of Simeon and Levi went even deeper. It makes me think of the “Sins of the father” in that Jacob passed on some of his deceitful nature to his kids. The taking of “control” from God. The killing of innocent bystanders. The unequal response to the offense. So much. Then these same brothers even turn on themselves (Joseph) and enact a vengeance (driven by jealousy) that is over the top. They literally planned to murder him then sold him into slavery. They definitely have a pattern of violence. Thank you for this breakdown! ❤

[@abhijoymitra3107]

It is mentioned that when all other brothers due to their jealousy planned to kill Joseph it was the eldest among them Rueben who advocated in favor of selling him and thus saved Joseph the rightful heir of Jacob. That's a vital reason why even after I have read about Reuben entered into relationship with Bilah his father's mistress I have respect for him.

[@soniaderodriguexrodrigiez]

God Bless you.

[@AK-tv5cc]

Thank you so much pastor David. I am so glad that God led me to your channel. I read the Bible from cover to cover third time and still beginning to read again. This is the best Bible reading guide for me. It made me understand so much more after I started watching your videos. God bless you.

[@JoelLunetta]

Also, Jesus does not force himself on His bride. Love this commentary and am using it to help me prepare for Bible studies here in Rome, Italy.

[@alightuntothegentiles]

Thank you for this video. It was very helpful in my study of Genesis 34 today.

[@amosamwig8394]

I love these under discussed bible topics, thank you. I really love the old testament, it really zooms in on the human aspect after the fall. I can relate with people Love your energy aswell

[@jagsartcreations182]

Also chapter 34 points out how you putting yourself in rooms and situations God didn’t call you too brings more problems and warfare. Jacob should have been obedient and went to Bethel instead of going to the city of Shechem (flesh desire) which brought more compromise. (Jacobs sons wiping out all the males of the city/ his daughter being raped) I’m in a season right now where I want to take matters into my own hands and apply for opportunities to be on rooms God had not called me to be in. So I felt like the reading this chapter was God way of reminding to continue to be patient and obedient unto what’s next instead of bringing extra problems on my plate.

[@sharongriffith7505]

Thank you, Pastor David.

[@waverlynichols4868]

I love this study series through Genesis! I look forward to Wednesdays for the new "episodes"! Genesis 34 points to Jesus by showing us why He needed to die on the cross. So much debauchery in this chapter (among God's chosen people, no less) & in mankind could only be completely cleansed by the blood of Jesus. It's like the song "God saw a Cross" ✝️❤️

[@angelacrosswhite5767]

Thank you sooo much for your teaching on KZbin!

[@ElevelynGreen33]

I wonder how old the brothers were I wonder how old Joseph was

[@DavidGuzikEnduringWord]

Watch the full, in-depth Genesis series here: kzbin.info/aero/PL_QIfO0mxbX7yAtMAhwwbeFSC0N0Px7Rv

[@taba1208]

This chapter is WILD! Jacob and his family seem to be moving farther away from God in their actions. I'm wondering how this particular family's story ends. Onward! Thank you for such insight.

[@karenjacob240]

This study is so insightful and has really helped me in my understanding of. Thank you! Also, I enjoy seeing which bobble head or statue you will put on the bookshelf for each study! I love that indication of your sense of humor

[@DavidGuzikEnduringWord]

What a wonderful comment. Thank you for your kind words and support - God be with you!

[@silkysilks6871]

I think its worthy to note that Jacob was not behaving like the leader of his household when he 1stly waited for his son's to arrive also that he wasnt the one to speak in reaction to their offer. Its almost like the older son's were the decision makers and not Jacob. Its mind blowing that this is how jacob behaves even after he had had encounters with God.

[@jagsartcreations182]

I wanted to say how I related to verse 3 says saying that Shechem’s soul clave unto Dinah. I wanted to point out how the Bible shows an example of soul ties and why it is important to wait until marriage. Participating in this brings the spirit of lusts and the spirit of possession. Dinah and Shechem explains that.

[@notofthisworld0]

God honor integrity, honesty, and good communication. However, Jacob was passive-aggressive and in it was deception and with no open communication it leads to untrust. Years later the boys were rebuked not in a loving way and was seperated. I can only imagine how they felt at the time maybe confused, betrayal, mistrust etc.

[@jameswelsh3433]

Jacob’s comments about Simeon and Levi, playing out in the way you described (around 42:00 mark), seems loosely similar to the events at Mt Gerizim and Mt Ebal (blessings and curses)

[@ToXristianikoKanali]

Well at the end of the day it was a very smart strategic move. They were determined to do it anyways.

[@neigedamour6411]

To me, and thats just me, if the prince who kept Dinah in captivity and his father knew. I wont concider the father as a "good" person. And thats just me. I may be wrong but if I was Dinah, I would hate the father too for letting me captive instead of taking me back home.

[@Wentletrap213]

It sounds like Jacob’s family was absorbed into the honor and shame culture.

[@DavidGuzikEnduringWord]

Well said, very interesting analysis.

[@rafaelrolino]

I think you miss some points here. Jacob was afraid of the Canaanites, because they were in smaller number. The man who rapped Dina was the prince, so the brothers knew ihe wouldn't be punished. To just kill the prince it would begin a war, and they wouldn't be able to handle that. Only in a miraculous way. If we take in perspective the circumstances of the time and culture. And also other stories of the bible such as in Joshua and Chronicles, I don't think that the brothers acted wrong. The other thing, they took the children and the women as slaves, because in that time they couldn't be alone without man. Correct if I wrong, but that put some other perspectives. And I think Jacob was so mad at them just because he was afraid of making enemies. He wasn't worried about the covenant.

[@rafaelrolino]

Also, Dina was like a hostage. It wasn't simple as take her and go away.

[@DavidGuzikEnduringWord]

You're right about the power dynamics, and that there is a human standard for "acceptable revenge" that this story surely meets - but I wouldn't go as far as to say that the brothers didn't act wrong, even though it was perhaps better than certain alternatives. - Enduring Word Team

[@rafaelrolino]

@@DavidGuzikEnduringWord yes, maybe you are right. I always thought that the revenge of the brothers was absurd. But recently I've had some second thoughts about it. Obviously they should had prayed about it, and waited on God's guidance. But in my opinion there's some loose ends in this story. There's some other things in the passage that makes me think about. Like, the scripture only says Levi and Simeon when they were attacking the men of the city. But when they are plundering, it says "sons of Jacob". Also when they come up wit the idea of circumcision, says it again. It seems that it was an idea of all the sons of Jacob, but they chose Levi and Simeon apparently because they were more brave? Or had more ability to use the sword. I don't know. And another thing that no one talks about it's that Jacob was so brave fighting with the angel in earlier passages, but he was coward to deal with the Canaanites that the prince of them abused his daughter.

[@jamesmason8944]

​​​​@@rafaelrolinoAm I correct in stating that there is no sex before marriage in God's Law as the sexual union is the marriage. There is adultery of course. Shechem seems to want to make a marriage out of his union with Dinah. Why did the Israelites not apply the law that states when a women is raped, if she does not scream and fight to resist, she will be stoned along with the rapist. Dinah after hitting the local disco seems to be enjoying the trappings of the princes's lifestyle. She seems to have allowed a union outwith her bloodline, that was the problem and the brothers knew this. She was defiled but not raped. Just like Judah married outwith his bloodline and Tamar had to take action to redeem his unrighteousness as she must have been of the correct bloodline . The brothers put a stop to this wrongdoing just like God killed Judah's two sons who married Tamar. Why does God remain rather silent and does not unequivocally show who was right.? Perhaps what the sons did was close to what he instructed his people to do sparing none not even their animals.

[@rafaelrolino]

@@jamesmason8944 very interesting. I think your interpretation makes a lot of sense.

[@msnone1]

Brother David I love your preaching and I love you but you really need to take care of the sniffles by perhaps taking some Afrin before you preach on KZbin with all due respect