A Strength is not Always a Strength

“And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.” (Ge 34:30 AV)

Just a few chapters earlier, the angel of the LORD said to Jacob that he was a prince with God and man.  His name was changed from Jacob to Israel.  Jacob had the gift of diplomacy.  Since leaving for his life from Esau, he learned that not every deal has to be made in subtlety.  He used Esau to his advantage to gain his birthright.  He used the blindness of his father to gain a blessing.  Now, 14 years later and having been ‘had’ twice by his wife’s father, he has learned a little humility.  When fleeing from Laban and being in the wrong because Rachel had stolen idols belonging to Laban, Jacob strikes a deal at Mizpah.  On the way to Isaac, Jacob is confronted by Esau who is greater in number and resources.  He appeases his older twin brother.  Jacob has learned some skills.  And he has become very successful.  Even to the point of dwelling in peace among other people.

Yet, there are times when one’s strengths can also be a weakness.  Jacob’s skill of appeasement does not apply well in the arena of justice.  I believe Dinah as partly to blame for her predicament.  I do not think Dinah was forced.  Yet, the sons of Jacob felt what was done was not right.  Motive means everything.  The people of the Hivites, Shechem and Hamor, saw intermarriage as a means to attain the wealth of Jacob.  Not a means of merely dwelling together.  When Simeon and Levi took to the sword, it wasn’t just for Dinah’s honor.  They realized these people had no real intention of co-inhabiting the land.  These people wanted to assimilate Israel into their culture and in so doing, defeat by assimilation.  They were out maneuvering by diplomacy the prince of God’s people and he could not even see it.

Simeon and Levi understood there is a time to use your strength.  But clearly there are other times when that strength isn’t the strongest tool in the tool box.  There was a time for diplomacy.  Then there is a time of force.  Knowing when our strength is no longer a strength, shifting to other ways of accomplishing God’s will is essential.  Knowing that just because we are good at something doesn’t always mean we must stick with it.