Immerse: Beginnings Full Volume - Flipbook - Page 64
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IMMERSE
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BEGINNINGS
33:15–34:13
go ahead of your servant. We will follow slowly, at a pace that is comfortable for the livestock and the children. I will meet you at Seir.”
“All right,” Esau said, “but at least let me assign some of my men to guide
and protect you.”
Jacob responded, “That’s not necessary. It’s enough that you’ve received
me warmly, my lord!”
So Esau turned around and started back to Seir that same day. Jacob, on
the other hand, traveled on to Succoth. There he built himself a house and
made shelters for his livestock. That is why the place was named Succoth
(which means “shelters”).
Later, having traveled all the way from Paddan-aram, Jacob arrived safely
at the town of Shechem, in the land of Canaan. There he set up camp
outside the town. Jacob bought the plot of land where he camped from
the family of Hamor, the father of Shechem, for 100 pieces of silver. And
there he built an altar and named it El-Elohe-Israel.
One day Dinah, the daughter of Jacob and Leah, went to visit some of the
young women who lived in the area. But when the local prince, Shechem
son of Hamor the Hivite, saw Dinah, he seized her and raped her. But
then he fell in love with her, and he tried to win her affection with tender
words. He said to his father, Hamor, “Get me this young girl. I want to
marry her.”
Soon Jacob heard that Shechem had defiled his daughter, Dinah. But
since his sons were out in the fields herding his livestock, he said nothing
until they returned. Hamor, Shechem’s father, came to discuss the matter
with Jacob. Meanwhile, Jacob’s sons had come in from the field as soon
as they heard what had happened. They were shocked and furious that
their sister had been raped. Shechem had done a disgraceful thing against
Jacob’s family, something that should never be done.
Hamor tried to speak with Jacob and his sons. “My son Shechem is truly
in love with your daughter,” he said. “Please let him marry her. In fact, let’s
arrange other marriages, too. You give us your daughters for our sons, and
we will give you our daughters for your sons. And you may live among us;
the land is open to you! Settle here and trade with us. And feel free to buy
property in the area.”
Then Shechem himself spoke to Dinah’s father and brothers. “Please be
kind to me, and let me marry her,” he begged. “I will give you whatever you
ask. No matter what dowry or gift you demand, I will gladly pay it—just
give me the girl as my wife.”
But since Shechem had defiled their sister, Dinah, Jacob’s sons
