Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. All the right things done

a) Return to Canaan

b) Raising an Altar to worship the LORD

2. Bad things can happen

a) A terrible thing occurred

b) A traumatic event experienced by Dinah

THE DAUGHTERS OF THE LAND

1. Esau married 2 Daughters of the Hittites Genesis 26:34-35

This was a cause of grief to Isaac and Rebekah

2. Rebekah’s worry that Jacob may follow suit Genesis 27:46

This could not be contemplated

3. Dinah’s friendship with the daughters of the land

She went out to visit her Hivite friends Genesis 34:1

THE LOCAL INHABITANTS OF THE LAND

1. The Hittites

Esau’s wives were Hittites Genesis 26:34-35

2. The Hethites

Rebekah did not want Jacob to marry any of the daughters Genesis 27:46

3. Shechem the son of Hamor, a Hivite

a) He was a prince of the country

b) He violated Dinah Genesis 34:2

4. He then felt strongly attracted to Dinah Genesis 34:3

a) He felt he loved her

b) He spoke kindly to her

5. He asked his father to ask for her hand in marriage Genesis 34:4

NEWS OF THE RAPE OF DINAH

1. Jacob learned about the rape of Dinah Genesis 34:5

2. Note the different words used:

a) Violated her Genesis 34:2

b) Defiled her Genesis 34:5

3. Jacob waited for his sons to return from the fields

a) He did not react though he must have been grieved

b) He had waited for years to marry Rachel

c) And now Dinah was raped!

4. News of Dinah’s rape was shared with his sons

a) They were grieved

b) They were very angry

c) This was a disgrace Genesis 34:7

HAMOR’S PLEA TO JACOB

1. He informs Jacob that Shechem loved Dinah

2. He asked for her hand in marriage Genesis 34:8

3. He expressed a wish that there could be inter-marriage

a) Jacob/ Israel

b) The Hivites Genesis 34:9

4. Offer of Hamor if this is accepted

a) To dwell in the land freely

b) Jacob can do the following:

i) Dwell with the Hivites

ii) Trade

iii) Acquire possessions Genesis 34:10

SHECHEM’S WORD TO JACOB AND HIS SONS

1. He promises that he would give any amount of dowry asked for Genesis 34:11

2. All he asks was the hand of Dinah in marriage Genesis 34:12

WHAT WAS MISSING IN THE STORY

1. Dinah’s side of the story

2. How did she feel?

a) Violation

b) Defilement

c) Disgrace

3. Her silence

a) Reflected the time she lived in

b) How a woman feels is of no consequence

CONCLUSION: VITAL LESSONS FOR US TO LEARN

17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; 19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

Ephesians 4:17-24

1. Reject ungodly ways

a) Futility of the mind

b) Darkness of the understanding

c) Alienated from the life of God

d) Ignorance

e) Blindness of the heart

f) Past feeling

g) Lewdness

h) Uncleanness with greediness

2. Renewal to be sought always

a) Learning

b) Putting off any corrupting influence

c) Seek renewal in the spirit of the mind

d) Put on the new man

e) Created in true righteousness and holiness