Genesis 33

Genesis 33:1-4

In this chapter we have, 1. A very friendly meeting between Jacob and Esau, vers. 1—4. Since God is his friend, Esau shall not be his enemy. 2. Their testimony, (1.) About Jacob’s family, vers. 5—7. (2.) About the present he had sent, vers. 8—11. (3.) About the progress of their journey, vers. 12—15. 3. Jacob’s settlement in Gamoun, his house, ground, and other, vers. 16—20.

1. AND Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold, ‘Esau came, and with him four hundred men. And he divided the children unto Leah, and unto Rachel, and unto the two handmaids. 2. And he put the handmaids and their children foremost, and Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph hindermost. 3. And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother. 4. And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.

At last the danger approaches, and now, as his father Abraham before him, he finds Jehovah Jireh, God will take care of him in his perilous situation. Note, They who have confidence in God, may cheerfully wait the issue of every trial. Observe,

1. Jacob’s order of march. If flight was needful, the most beloved are hindered, and likened to escape.

2. His approach to Esau, full of deep respect to him as his superior. He mentions nothing of the birth-right, but pays the duty

Before Christ daughter, which thing ought not to be done. 8. And Hamor communed with them, saying, The soul of my son Shechem longeth for your daughter: I pray you give her him to wife. 9. And make ye marriages with us, and give your daughters unto us, and take our daughters unto you. 10. And ye shall dwell with us: and the land shall be before you; dwell and trade you therein, and get you possessions therein. 11. And Shechem said unto her father, and unto her brethren, Let me find grace in your eyes, and what ye shall say unto me: I will give. 12. Ask me never so much dowry and gift, and I will give according as you shall say unto me: but give me the damsel to wife. 13. And the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father deceitfully, and said, (because he had defiled Dinah their sister) 14. And they said unto them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised: for that were a reproach unto us. But in this will we consent unto you: If ye will be as we do, that every male of you be circumcised: 16. Then will we give our daughters unto you, and we will take your daughters to us, and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people. 17. But if ye will not hearken unto us, to be circumcised, then will we take our daughter, and we will be gone.

Genesis 33:6-17

We have here,

1. The resentment of Jacob’s sons; highly provoked at the dishonour done the family, and, like many others, more incensed at the shame, than grieved at the sin. They call it folly, for sin deserves that name. What is foolish, as for a beathful indulgence to offend the holy God, and wound not our own souls only, but every friend and relation; and how much more scandalous in a house where religion is profiled? Oh did we know all the miseries of sin before we commit it, that we feel afterwards, nothing could tempt us to it.

2. Hamor’s proposal to heal the breach by marriage, with the most generous offer of any dowry. Jacob’s sons, under a pretence most precious, but with hearts burning with revenge, consent to the proposal, on condition of their becoming circumcised. They cannot, they say, intermarry with the uncircumcised; that would be a reproach to them. Note, The most bloody designs have been often covered with the cloak of religion; but God saith and judgeth: hypocrisy with him will be counted the deadliest of crimes.

3. And their words pleased Hamor, and Shechem Hamor’s son. 19. And the young man deferred not to do the thing, because he had delight in Jacob’s daughter: and he was more honourable than all the house of his father. 20. And Hamor and Shechem his son came unto the gate of their city, and communed with the men of their city, saying, 21. These men are peaceable with us, therefore let them dwell in the land, and trade therein; for the land, behold, it is large enough for them: let us take their daughters to us for wives, and let us give them our daughters. 22. Only herein will the men consent unto us, for to dwell with us, to be one people, if every male among us be circumcised, as they are circumcised. 23. Shall not their cattle, and their substance, and every beast of theirs be ours? only let us consent unto them, and they will dwell with us. 24. And unto Hamor and unto Shechem his son hearkened all that went out of the gate of his city: and every male was circumcised, all that went out of the gate of his city.

Genesis 33:18-24

The argument which Hamor uses to persuade his subjects, is as wrong, as the design of Jacob’s sons in their proposal. To profess religion on worldly motives is abominable, and never like to prosper. However they consent, and without informing themselves of the reasons and design of circumcision, submit to it. Note, How many baptized persons is it to be feared among us, know as little of the religion they profess, as the circumcised Shechments?

25. And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s Brethren, took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and flew all the males. 26. And they flew Hamor and Shechem his son with the refuge of the sword, and took Dinah out of Shechem’s house, and went out. 27. The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city, because they had defiled

their sister. 28. They took their sheep, and their oxen, and their asses, and that which was in the city, and that which was in the field. 29. And all their wealth, and all their little ones, and their wives took they captive, and spoiled even all that was in the house. 30. And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, ‘Ye have troubled me,’ to make me to think among the inhabitants of the land, amongst the Canaanites, and the Petrarites: and I bring few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and say me, and I shall be destroyed, I and my house. 31. And they said, Should he deal with our sister as with an harlot?

Genesis 33:25-31

We have here,

1. The cruel and treacherous murder of the men of Shechem. However just it might be in God to punish them for their profane abuse of the seals of his covenant, it takes nothing from the guilt of the murderers. Inflamed with passion, and spurred on by revenge, they fully forth to perpetrate the horrid deed. Though Shechem had made every reparation, and his subjects at least were innocent; though restrained by the most solemn promise, and doubly bound by that holy ordinance they had proposed; no considerations can bind their careful anger. Hamor and Shechem bleed the first under their swords; treacherously surprised, the innocent inhabitants fall the victims of their unrelenting cruelty. Simeon and Levi are foremost in the ravage; but the other sons of Jacob, not content with the rescue of Dinah, rush upon the spoil; and, whilst the men lie westerling in blood, their wives are captives, and their substance devoured. Note, The men of Shechem hoped to share Israel’s spoil; but unjust attempts upon our neighbour’s property prove often the ruin of our own.

2. Jacob’s dislocation at the dead. They had cast the highest scandal on his religion; the very Canaanite might justly soak it, if this was their way; and how great was their danger also, when surrounded by those who might so justly avenge this shocking action. Note, (1.) Wicked children are a bitter grief and reproach to their parents. (2.) Sin and ruin are near killed. The prodigal son fears no consequences, but the wiser father trembles for him.

3. Their insolent reply. No acknowledgment of their fault, but rather a reflection on the tameness of their father. Note, They who are violent themselves, are ready to reproach the gentle, as mean-spirited.