Bible Text: Genesis 33:16-34:31 | Preacher: Pastor Joe Ricchuiti | Series: A Family in Crisis, Genesis

1.  Genesis 34 is another example to us that God does His work through imperfect, sinful vessels (the only material He has to work with!):

-“While the story operates at a level of family honor and brotherly concern for a ravished sister, it nevertheless also carries along the theme that God works through and often in spite of the limited, self-serving plans of human beings.” (John H. Sailhamer)

-“It was another case of promoting a holy cause in an unholy way.” (Warren Wiersbe on the actions of Dinah’s brothers)

2.  Chapter 34 is also a warning to Israel about the dangers of social and religious interaction with the people of Canaan.  They were not to partake of their ways or join with them in a vital way.  They were to be in the land but not partners with the people even as we in the church are in the world but we are not to be of the world.

3.  On a family level Genesis 34 when a father is disengaged from his family (as Jacob seems to be in this instance) children tend to be out of control.