In Genesis 31:3, God told Jacob “Return to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you.” Jacob loved and respected God, but apparently he still liked to take matters into his own hands. Even though he’d told Esau that he would be along shortly, he thought it would be good to stop early and build a place for himself in Succoth. He stayed there for a long time and then bought land near Shechem, still neglecting to go all the way home to his relatives. There he set up an altar to the Lord and called it El Elohe Israel, but he still had not followed God’s command.
Now Dinah, one of Jacob’s daughters, went out into the land of Shechem without her brothers, for they were with the flocks in the field. She left her place of safety and went into a heathen land to visit the women there. When Shechem, son of Hamor the Hivite, the ruler of that area, saw Dinah, he wanted her for his own. He was instantly obsessed with her and he took her against her will and defiled her. He desperately wanted to marry her, so Hamor went to Jacob to ask for her hand.
Jacob was displeased but could do nothing until his sons returned from the field, and when they returned, they were seriously ticked off and set their minds for revenge. They tricked Hamor and his son into a deal in which all the men of their city would get circumcised in order to be able to intermarry with their people. This of course, did not make them worshippers of God, but they were willing to do so in order to marry into Jacob’s family. Jacob’s sons deceived them.
When three days had passed, and all the men of the city were in pain from the circumcisions, Jacob’s sons, Simeon and Levi, went into the city and slaughtered them, and took their sister back home. The other brothers looted the city and took the women and children. Jacob was furious with them for bringing trouble on their family. He knew the Canaanites and Perizzites would come looking for them, but the young men held their own and did not regret their revenge.
The Old Testament shows us that God’s people were no saints. They could even be a violent people, yet God still loved them. Now, if Jacob had initially done what God said by going back home to his relatives, none of this would have ever happened.
Isn’t it better to follow God’s word than to follow our own plans? God wants to protect us, and He wouldn’t send us into danger. However, He also gave us the free will to put ourselves smack dab into the middle of a mess. God sees what lies up ahead. We don’t. He knows what we should do, so we should listen, but how do we listen? How do we know which way God wants us to go? First, we read the bible and follow His commandments. If it’s against God’s word, it’s the wrong choice. Then, have conversations with God about your plans. The choice that brings you true peace is the one God approves. Always pray before a big decision—or even a little one.