From Eden to Egypt Day 41

When Jacob heard that his daughter Dinah had been defiled, his sons were in the fields with his livestock; so he did nothing about it until they came home.

- Genesis 34:5 (NIV)

Jacob depicts a peculiar picture as a father figure.  His daughter "Dinah had been defiled" by Shechem the Hivite, and he did nothing.  It wasn't until his sons returned home that anything was done regarding the matter.  However, what was done was done by the brothers, not Jacob.

13 Because their sister Dinah had been defiled, Jacob’s sons replied deceitfully as they spoke to Shechem and his father Hamor. 14 They said to them, “We can’t do such a thing; we can’t give our sister to a man who is not circumcised. That would be a disgrace to us. 15 We will enter into an agreement with you on one condition only: that you become like us by circumcising all your males. 16 Then we will give you our daughters and take your daughters for ourselves. We’ll settle among you and become one people with you. 17 But if you will not agree to be circumcised, we’ll take our sister and go.” - Genesis 34:13-17 (NIV)

Jacob's sons dealt with Shechem and his father deceitfully as the Word says.  They sought revenge for their sister being dishonored and disgraced.  They did not confront the man on his actions.  They entered into a deceptive arrangement under the guise of an agreement that carried the condition of circumcision.  Rather than truthfully deal with the matter, these men utilized deception and sought to get their payback through this false arrangement.

Simeon and Levi, the brothers of Dinah, attacked the men of the city as they recovered from their circumcision.  Immediately following this attack, the remaining brothers joined in and looted the city.  They took what they pleased, including women, children, flocks and herds.  They had gained their revenge despite their methods for doing so.

30 Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have brought trouble on me by making me obnoxious to the Canaanites and Perizzites, 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.” 31 But they replied, “Should he have treated our sister like a prostitute?” - Genesis 34:30-31 (NIV)

The Bible is clear when it notes that Jacob only offers objection to the outcome of his sons' deceptive deeds.  He objects on the merits of his own preservation.  He speaks of the trouble that the sons have brought upon him and his own household. He does not offer another way to handle the matter.  Verse 6 tells us that the offender's father went out to talk to Jacob in order to settle the matter.  However, reading the entire passage reveals that Jacob's sons took over the matter, hearing of it and becoming enraged by the act of disgrace on Shechem's part.

Jacob leaves the Bible reader wondering about his parenting style.  The issue of Dinah being raped by Shechem does not appear to be a priority for Jacob, but his ability to live at peace with neighboring people does appear to be a major concern for him.  He does not appeal to his sons to act reasonably or fairly.  He does not share with them the wrong of their cruel intentions.  No, Jacob leaves one to question his parenting style and just what his sons learned under their father's leadership.

As parents, we are to love and cherish our children.  We seek to protect them from the dangers of the outside world, offering as much warning and teaching as we can while they are teachable. If we are not careful, our children will pick up some of our bad habits and characteristics just like some of the good ones. Lead by example just as much as you lead by explanation for the sake of your children.