Genesis is a key book in the Bible. It presents the roots and the foundation of the Hebrew-Christian religion.
Even though it’s vital, it is not one of my favorite books. Chapters like Genesis 34 are one of the reasons. There are characters that are presented that are hard to observe and difficult to write about.
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discuss this chapter in detail in today’s YouTube video. For my blog article, I’m going to summarize the story and then talk about God’s grace that is revealed in imperfect people throughout the book of Genesis.
Genesis 34 tells the story of Shechem’s rape of Jacob’s daughter, Dinah. We are now at a point in verse 13 where Jacob’s sons persuade Shechem and all the men who live in his area to be circumcised.
They planned and executed a plan to then kill the men of the city. Not only did they kill the men of the city, but they also plundered all that was there. Everyone was victimized by Shechem’s rape of Dinah.
Jacob had earlier worried over 400 of Esau’s men. Now he has to worry about their safety as sojourners of the land.
Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have brought trouble on me by making me odious to the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites and the Perizzites; my numbers are few, and if they gather themselves against me and attack me, I shall be destroyed, both I and my household” (Genesis 34:30).
Glimmers of Grace
Genesis, while foundational for our faith, contains some very difficult and troubling narratives. However, even within those difficult passages, and throughout the book as a whole, “glimmers of grace” can indeed be found.
Here are some key areas where God’s grace is evident:
(1) God’s Covenant with Noah (Genesis 6-9)
- In the midst of the overwhelming wickedness that led to the flood, God provided a way of salvation for Noah and his family.
- The covenant God establishes with Noah after the flood, symbolized by the rainbow, is a promise never again to destroy all life with a flood.
(2) God’s Covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12)
“I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:2-3).
- Despite Abraham’s imperfections, God chose him as an instrument of blessing.
- Throughout Abraham’s life, we witness God’s faithfulness to these promises, even amidst Abraham’s human failings, revealing God’s abundant grace.
- God promised to make his name great and to bless all the families of the earth through him.
- By itself, the covenant with Abraham shows God’s willingness to interact with and bless humankind.
(3) God’s Provision for Hagar (Genesis 16 and 21)
- Hagar, an Egyptian servant of Sarah, experiences hardship and rejection.
- In her time of distress, God hears her cries and provides for her and her son, Ishmael.
- God has grace for the “star of the show,” Abraham, but also for the marginalized Hagar and Ishmael.
(4) God’s Intervention with Lot (Genesis 19)
- Lot was very much a part of the society of Sodom and Gomorrah, shown by his presence in the gate of the city – a place of commerce and government.
- Even amid the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, God, through his messengers, rescues Lot and his family.
- This act of rescue, even for a flawed individual, demonstrates God’s mercy.
(5) God’s Provision for Jacob (Jacob’s entire story)
- Jacob, a flawed and often deceitful character, receives God’s blessing and ultimately has his name changed to Israel. This transformation is a testament to God’s grace and redemptive power.
- God’s constant interaction with Jacob, and the promises that are kept, despite Jacob’s failings, is a strong example of grace.
Grace and “Cheap” Grace
Dietrich Bonhoeffer coined the term, ‘cheap grace,’ meaning believing God’s forgiveness excuses us from living obediently.
It would be bizarre to imagine Shechem using ‘grace’ to justify raping Dinah, like saying, ‘It’s wrong, but God will forgive me anyway.’
Similarly, it’s twisted to think Simeon and Levi could claim ‘grace’ after slaughtering a city for revenge as if they could just say, ‘I know it’s wrong, but God will forgive me.’
While these examples are extreme, we shouldn’t avoid honestly examining ourselves. How often do we knowingly do wrong, assuming we can simply ask for forgiveness later? That’s the essence of ‘cheap grace.’
While avoiding ‘cheap grace,’ we must still acknowledge God’s abundant grace, as seen throughout Genesis. Without it, we’d all be in serious trouble.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today.
Real Voices 