A Dark Tragedy

As we near the conclusion of Jacob's story, we have one more dark scene through which to pass. Dinah, the daughter of Jacob and Leah is defiled and humiliated by Shechem, the prince of the land.  This tragedy produces a chain of evil that threatens God's plan of redemption.  As we have seen over these past number of weeks, man's sin, great though it is, cannot prevail over God's mercy.  Though God is not mentioned in this passage, we see with unique clarity God's grace through his continued presence among a very broken people giving us hope in this life.