I can’t help but wonder in reading Genesis 34 what would have happened if Jacob had turned to God to ask for His help when his daughter, Dinah, was raped. The rapist Shechem, son of Hamor who was the ruler of that area, kept Dinah and spoke tenderly to her. And Shechem said to his father Hamor, “Get me this girl as my wife.” v. 3-4. I can’t help but wonder what Dinah thought. She seems so incidental to all of the events that follow. Rape, fury, deceit on both sides, killing and plunder. The way of the world.

Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (Psalm 34:12-16) 1 Peter 3:10-12. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” (Deuteronomy 32:35) says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” (Proverbs 25:21,22) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:17-21.

Jacob was Dinah’s father and yet he did nothing until his sons returned from the fields after he learned what had happened to his daughter. Life is filled with what ifs. What if he had turned this awful problem over to God and shown his sons by example to trust in the Lord only? The problem with what ifs is the damage is done. The damage was done in the rape. Damage spilling down to hearts all around turning to evil. 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.” v. 30.

The fallout of our actions and the actions of others is devastating when we choose the way of death. In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be put to confusion. Psalm 71:1. Confusion. Isn’t that what happens when awful things happen? How can this be? Why did this happen? What should I do? Confusion and sorrow. The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all; he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken. (John 19:36 prophesy about Jesus).

Reading about Dinah and the violence that follows, fills my heart with the same deep sorrow I feel when I watch the news and see the fallout of hearts turned to evil and violence; deep sorrow and confusion. God is faithful and He lifts me up. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. Proverbs 3:5-7. Simeon and Levi and their brothers were wise in their own eyes; Shechem was wise in his own eyes and allowed his desires to rule over him and we read the consequences of those actions. Can we learn to truly trust in the Lord? History is replete with violence.

Jesus told the parable of the unjust judge and asks the most important question to each of us. And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:6-8. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and come out of confusion. He knows the way…turn to Him only. When we trust in Him…not trusting in our own understanding… we walk in faith with Him leading us. Will Jesus find that faith in us?