Bible Commentaries
Genesis 34

Verses 1-31

When Jacob parted from Esau he should have gone directly to Beth-el. The previous chapter shows that he did not do so but tarried at Shechem. Unquestionably, this was a mistake. There is nothing more perilous than to stay anywhere short of the place to which God is calling, and here we have the account of the sad and tragic reaping from this halt. It gives the story of a defiled daughter and of sons using the instruments of cruelty for vengeance. It is a startling revelation of how the fruits of a man's disobedience may be gathered in the history of his family. How often children have been harmed incalculably, because parents, while believing in God, have tamed at some Shechem of worldly advantage instead of centering life around Beth-el and the altar!

Jacob's complaint to Simeon and Levi was utterly unworthy of a man of faith. It breathed the spirit of selfish fear from first to last. There was no word of jealousy for the honor of God, or of appreciation of the necessity for the purity of the chosen seed. It is wholly indicative of a cowardly fear for himself. The moment faith ceases to be the simple principle of life, selfishness is enthroned; and, instead of the calm courage which is ever the result of obedient faith, there ensues the cowardly fear of personal suffering.