The Tragedy of Shechem

Jacob’s family lived near the city of Shechem. One day Dinah went into the city hoping to meet the women who lived there, but Shechem treated her in a very wrong and hurtful way. Hamor and Shechem later came to Jacob’s family asking for peace between the families, but that could not erase the harm that had happened. Dinah’s brothers became very angry. Simeon and Levi used a hidden plan to deceive Shechem and the men of the city, and later they acted in anger and brought great harm. Dinah was brought back to her family, but Jacob was grieved by his sons’ actions and said that angry revenge was also wrong. Later Jacob led his household away from that place to seek God’s guidance. This story reminds us that when someone is hurt, they should seek safe help and tell trusted adults. When we are angry, we must not take revenge ourselves, but wait for God’s justice and learn not to answer wrong with wrong.