After Jacob had been reconciled to Esau he first of all goes to Succoth and then on to Shechem. There he re-establishes ownership of the parcel of ground that Abraham had purchased 85 years earlier. The sad thing is, however, that really he should have been at Bethel, 35. 1.
The fact that his family is in the wrong place leads to problems. Dinah becomes friendly with those of the land instead of remaining separate from them. If believers become too intimate with those of the world this is bound to affect their spiritual lives. Dinah placed herself in a position of moral and spiritual danger.
Shechem had probably met her often before he defiled her. After he takes her he appeals to his father to obtain her for his wife. The fact was, as is still the case today, a man and woman living together prior to marriage is sinful even if there is a desire for a long term relationship, v. 4. God’s moral law has never changed. Once Jacob hears of the matter he leaves it to her brothers to decide what to do, v. 5. They were understandably angry; however, they should have been so without sinning. tried to suggest mixed marriages, v. 9; however, Shechem appears to be more sincere, vv. 11-12. Dinah’s brothers ought never to have suggested circumcision knowing that there would be no worth in the outward sign if it were not accompanied by faith and inward reality; cf. Rom. 4. 10-11. It was a deceitful proposition showing that they took character from their father Jacob.
Shechem for his part shows himself honourable in seeking to fulfil his side of the bargain, v. 19. Just at the point of their weakness the sons of Leah, Dinah’s brothers, wreak a terrible act of cruelty and murder. Jacob never forgets what they had done, and in his final word to them condemns their cruel act, 49. 5-7.
Spiritual lessons emerge from this sad story, the first being that believers have a responsibility towards their families, not to expose them to wrong environments or pursuits. Again, for those who wish to find a partner for life, Shechem is an example of how not to go about it – initially to be governed by his passions and so take what might have been his legitimately, if he had gone about it in God’s time and according to His word.
