Cultural Differences Excuse for Ethnic Wars in Canaan

reported by BNP via the Genesis Review

The unsupervised adventure of a teenage girl seems to have been the catalyst for violence between ethnic communities in Shechem. The young lady, Dinah Jacobson, had been allowed to go by herself to visit friends in the city.  

Unaware of the courting practices among Hamorians, Ms. Jacobson’s family was apparently shaken to learn the local Hivite prince had claimed her as his own. The prince’s father sent the normal request to Ms. Jacobson’s father to complete arrangements for the couple’s marriage.

Ms. Jacobson’s father and brothers are reported as having seemed amenable to the idea.  The men of Shechem were invited to participate in a unique religious observance, as an act of bonding between the two communities.  The specific rite is said to indicate worship of the Only God, but as the Jacobsons are now known to revere various common gods, the authenticity of the invitation appears doubtful.

Citizens of nearby towns are expressing distrust of the Jacobson clan.  Although descended from respected inhabitants of the country, this newly immigrated faction is described as deceitful and quick to violence.  Becoming known as the Jacobson Gang, they conducted a secret attack on the cooperative men of Shechem, slaughtering them all while these men were recovering from the debilitating ceremonial procedures. 

Any chance of the action being considered honorable was lost when the Jacobson Gang proceeded to loot anything of value, and take women and children as hostages.  The raid is now being judged as opportunistic savagery.

Local law enforcement was slow to respond to the crisis. They are now spending their time and the tax money counting bodies.  Some political rhetoric about banning swords is not being well received by the populace, who refer to the lack of protection afforded the people of Shechem.  

Women are leading the numbers of those getting new sword permits.  Many are sporting attire with logos such as, “Swords Cut Through the Heart of the Matter.”

(for further information see Genesis 34)

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