Jacob's Daughter Dinah: Choosing the Wrong Path

I am reading through the book of Genesis at this time.  Today I read about Dinah, the only daughter of Jacob who was the son of Isaac, who was the son of Abraham.    This is a very sad story of what happened to Dinah when she went out on her own from her family.  I wrote this piece in 2002 and want to post it here today.

Jacob's Daughter Dinah

Genesis 30:21 "And afterwards she (Jacob's wife Leah) bare a daughter, and called her name Dinah"  (judgment)

Genesis 33: 18 "And Jacob came to Shalem, a city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padanaram; and pitched his tent before the city.  And he bought a parcel of a field, where he had spread his tent, at the hand of the children of Hamor, Shechem's father, for an hundred pieces of money. "

In Genesis chapter 33 we have the reconciliation of Jacob and Esau who had been separated since Jacob deceived his father Isaac into believing that he was Esau, and thus took the blessing that was meant for Esau.  At Jacob's mother Rebekah's urging, Jacob left his home and journeyed to Paddan-aram where Rebekah's family lived.  Jacob went there and lodged with Rachel and her family.  After 20 years Jacob left with his wives Rachel and Leah, their handmaids, and all his children.  Jacob was nervous to meet Esau his  brother, but when they do finally meet Esau treats Jacob and his family with kindness and respect, hospitably offering that Jacob should go with Esau to his home to dwell together in unity, (V12) but Jacob deceives Esau one more time into thinking he will follow along after, then he makes the choice to turn in another direction and go to the land of Canaan, where the Israelites do not live.   (V13-20).  Just as Lot separated from Abraham, and went to the city of Sodom, Jacob will bear the grief of taking things into his own hands instead of following Esau, whom the Lord had graciously restored to him.