Genesis 34

It isn’t about God. God is not even mentioned in this chapter. This story is about men, religion and revenge. Unless I’m missing something this is the first recorded case of a Holy religion being used in an unholy manner. It will definitely not be the last. Almost from the establishment of religion mankind has been attempting to use it for his own purposes. In this story the purpose is revenge.

Few would debate that Jacob’s sons had a legitimate complaint against Shechem. He had raped their sister. The case might be made that they were more upset about the implied dishonor to themselves and their father than the harm to their sister. In any case, they had a just complaint. They could have rightly raise dispute against Shechem at the city gates. They may have feared that being foreigners they would not receive justice. They chose to be deceitful. They chose to weaponize religion.

The men of the city chose to be circumcised. They were not accepting the God of Jacob. For them it was a business decision. They were putting on the outward signs of godliness for profit. At least they’re honest about what they were doing. Jacob’s sons were using the outward signs of godliness to disable the men of the city. This allowed them to exact revenge. They slaughtered the men of the city. They plundered all the wealth. They took the women and children as slaves and servants.

Jacob was upset. He saw that their actions might bring trouble upon him and his family. Jacob does not mention God. Jacob seems unaware of how their actions will reflect upon his God. When men act unholy in the name of God they soil the name of God.

Organized religion can be a way for godly people to unify to achieve great good. There are ungodly people always ready to use religion for ungodly purposes. As God’s children we must be vigilant. Our primary allegiance is not to a local church or a denomination. Our primary allegiance is to God.