Thirsting for Revenge Is Never Good. Part [4] 04/16/2026 (Morning thought)

Genesis 34:13 And the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father deceitfully, and said, because he had defiled Dinah their sister.

Genesis 34:14 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. 15 But in this will we consent unto you: If you will be as we be, that every male of you be circumcised…. Now, in speaking of actions of revenge, it has to be considered that every action would breed a reaction because after the initial dust has settled, there will be deep reflection on what has been done.

And it is often the case, where undue violence was meted for some real or imaginary wrong, those who meted out retaliation, would have to be constantly looking over their shoulders. Simeon and Levi did not stop to think through the repercussions of their violent acts of revenge, nor did they consider that they would be at risk, since the relatives of the slain may seek to get even…. 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 slew all the males.

As the old man Jacob thought about it, he trembled as he contemplated what the consequences might be, not to Simeon and Levi only, but to his entire family, for wherever revenge is indulged, and acted upon, there would be afterthoughts by those who were on the receiving end, and very often, revenge may produce, more dangerous mindsets.

Genesis 34:30 And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, you 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.

May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!

Thirsting for Revenge Is Never Good. Part [3] 04/16/2026 (Evening thought)

Genesis 34:1 And Dinah the daughter of Leah, which she bore unto Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land. 2 And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her, and lay with her, and defiled her.

Another byproduct of thirsting for revenge is that it isn’t the revenger only that is ill affected, because quite often other persons are drawn into the fray, since the spirit of revenge has the tendency to become contagious. In certain cases, entire cities and nations are drawn into the ring, as the opposing parties push ahead to settle the score. This is what took place with the sons of Jacob after their sister Dinah was defiled by the son of a foreign monarch’s son.

Their thirsting for revenge knew no bounds, and in the process, they meted out deadly retribution on persons who had nothing to do with the wrong act. In other words, as far as they were concerned, Peter would pay for Paul, and Paul would pay for all. They did not stop to think that some difference should be made between the innocent civilians, and the guilty. Instead, in their blind rage, they mowed down folks in cold blood and the carnage did not stop until they had spoiled the entire city.

Now, there is no doubt that a great wrong had been committed by the offender, but to go in and kill any and every male person they saw, without making a distinction between the innocent and the guilty was the result of taking vengeance into their own hands. That is what happens when mortals take vengeance out of God’s hands, for they always tend to do much more harm and damage than is justified, warranted, or necessary.

Genesis 34:7 And the sons of Jacob came out of the field when they heard it: and the men were grieved, and they were very wroth, because he had wrought folly in Israel in lying with Jacob's daughter: which thing ought not to be done.

May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!