18. Brothers Reveal Swords to Avenge Deep Grievances. Brothers Kill—Is It Courage or Cruelty?

“You who speak lies will be destroyed; Those who love to shed blood and deceit are detestable to the Lord. [Psalm 5:6]

Shechem is an ancient city, and also a personal name; it means “stone shoulder,” so named because there are large mountains on both the east and west sides of the city, resembling a pair of shoulders. It is located on a major transportation hub and remains bustling to this day. To the south it connects to Canaan, to the north it reaches Galilee, to the east lies Jordan, and to the west is Shaloon—a strategic location contested by military forces and a route for merchants.

Jacob led his wife, children, and servants outside the city. Seeing the bustling people and endless flow, he saw a business opportunity, and believed the cattle and sheep he raised would soon be converted into gold and silver. He camped outside the city, spent a hundred pieces of silver to buy a piece of land from Shechem’s father, the local leader, as his camp, and dug a well there. Later generations called it Jacob’s Well, which lasted four thousand years and has been preserved to this day.

That day, Jacob’s ten sons went out early to herd sheep, leaving only Jacob and his two wives, along with their beloved youngest son Joseph and only daughter Tina, inside the tent. Joseph had a personality similar to his father Jacob, preferring solitude indoors and disliking herding livestock. Jacob favored Joseph because he was the youngest and Rachel’s only son.

Tina was born to Leah, just a young girl, with beautiful brows and a graceful figure. Because she had 11 brothers but no sisters, she learned to play on her own from a young age and gradually developed a gentle and quiet personality. That day, my brother went out to herd, and the tent quieted down.

She walked outside and looked around inside Shijian City, seeing the streets bustling with men and women dressed in various costumes, pacing back and forth.

She had never seen such a scene before, her eyes widened, and she begged her mother to take her into town to watch the spectacle. Leah paused her sheep-shearing work, looked at her adorable daughter, then looked into the city, sighed softly, called for a maid, and asked her to lead Tina into town, repeatedly reminding them to return before lunch.

Tina happily agreed, smiling as she ran off, with the maid following behind. It was midday, and Jacob was bundling wool outside his tent when suddenly the maid who had entered the town rushed in in panic. Her face was pale, her hair disheveled, eyes brimming with tears, and she knelt before Jacob with a thud, crying loudly.

Jacob looked at her, surprised, and asked, “Where’s Tina?” “She, she, she was wandering the streets when the city leader Shijian saw her and forcibly took her away. I followed closely all the way, and Shijian dragged her into his own house and pushed me outside.

I heard Tina’s screams outside. She—she was raped by Shejian. “Wuwu…” In an instant, Jacob’s chest felt as if pierced by grass, and he opened his mouth in pain but could not utter a sound. After a long while, he forced himself to ask in a calm voice, “Where is Tina?” “He was also locked in the house by the Sword Lock. His household had many soldiers. I had no choice but to come back and tell you this. ”