1st Corinthians 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
This passage of scripture should be memorized by all Christians, for it sets the tone for our entire experience and relationship with Christ and with one another. When the scripture says that charity beareth all things and endureth all things, it does not put a limit on what we are to bear and endure, when it comes to our relationship with our fellowmen. It is often the case that we put a predetermined threshold point on what we will tolerate in others, and because of this we give satan the advantage, who will undoubtedly push us over the edge, and thus cause us to lose sight of the perfection of Christ.
This is exactly what took place when the sons of Jacob learned their sister had been sexually assaulted by a heathen prince, and it is very possible that this was done against her wishes. This lewd act on the part of the prince, Shechem by name, so infuriated the sons of Jacob that they plotted a clandestine operation whereby they premeditated the prospect of slaying all the males of that country, and when the opportunity presented itself, they actually followed through with their plots. Let's read:
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. 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. 26 And they slew Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah out of Shechem's house, and went out. 27 The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city, because they had defiled their sister.
As Christians, we should never set threshold points for what we are willing to tolerate in others when it comes to the violation of our freedoms and rights, for if we do, we would be setting ourselves up for defeat at the hands of the enemy, who will certainly turn up the heat, at unexpected times, and in ways we did not cater for. The act of Shechem cannot be justified in any way, form, or fashion, but neither can Jacob's sons reaction to their sister's abuse be sanctioned, for The Lord plainly states "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay" ,and therefore we are to leave the resolution of our violated rights to God who has a perfect knowledge and understanding of every injustice we may encounter. We are also not to eagerly look forward to retribution against those who trespass against us, for in so doing we will be partaking of a spirit that is foreign to the very nature of Christ.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which calls on us to deal in the currency of heaven in all things, by taking no pleasure in the punishment of those who have offended against us, and if by the grace of God we were to practice charity on a consistent basis, we would find that the radiance of God's love will dispel the darkness of anger and vengeful feelings, which sometimes disturb our peace. Let's read:
Proverbs 24:17 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: 18 Lest the Lord see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
May God add His blessing to the doing of His every word. God bless!