Greetings dear friends
Far often, the critique leveled towards the church is that we sweep the issues under the carpet. As much as I love to think that I do differently; there was the temptation to raise any other matter today, because it is a Sunday. Please receive today’s Holy Nougat
“But when the local prince, Shechem son of Hamor the Hivite, saw Dinah, he seized her and raped her.
“But why should we let him treat our sister like a prostitute?” they retorted angrily.”
Genesis 34:2, 31 NLT
God hates rape.
While blasphemy is the only unforgivable sin, I suspect that it grieves God greatly to see us overlook the reality of rape. It is believed that 1 in 3 females is subject to violence during her lifetime; which means that among us gathered here, several have been subject to violence or abuse. It is that horrific.
We may have noted that throughout the entire narration of Dinah’s experience; there is no opportunity to hear from Dinah herself. Unlike Tamar, David’s daughter, we don’t have the facts surrounding Dinah, except that she was grabbed (or kidnapped) and raped. Again, this is not uncommon, it is perhaps more common than we think; and often goes underreported and unaddressed.
I am in total opposition to the large scale reprisal meted our to Shechem and his people; but I maintain that we as Christians can and must act.
Although we are called to be discreet; if cases are brought to our attention, let us take the necessary legal and spiritual actions.
- The first step is to investigate; and be prepared to believe and affirm the worth of the person abused. (I have avoided using victim, as many have chosen/been able to live or survive than stay victimized.)
- As church, let us accompany the abused. Help her/him to know that it was not their fault.
- Remind them that they are loved by God in spite of what was done to them.
- Offer counseling and prayerfully journey with them as they try to figure out their identity and their self worth.
- Refrain from alienating the abused, especially if the rape act culminates in pregnancy.
- Try to determine whether the ‘Shechem’ is known. Seek justice
- If the rapist or abuser is a member of our community; address the matter and seek justice, even as we accompany the rapist through rehabilitation.
- Oftentimes, cases of rape or kidnapping affects family members in more concrete ways than the rest of the community. Let us also accompany them.
- Recognize that rape traumatizes the one who experienced the rape and also those who are attempting to help pick up the pieces. Offer trauma healing and transformation in addition to regular counseling.
[There are several resources available to guide us in offering trauma healing and transformation (inbox me for a link to the WCC resource); if we don’t know where to begin.]
- If the abused wishes to share, let’s not deny them the opportunity; it may be part of the healing process.
- Explore opportunities to provide safe havens as the abused try to find the will and strength to live … so many are trapped in this season of lockdown.
- Let change begin now – help our youths and adults to respect the dignity of life and to honor each other.
Of course, I cannot emphasize enough the need for Prayer, prayer, prayer. Whether we know of cases or not. For the abused, for the perpetrator/abuser, for those impacted and for the support persons – the social workers and counselors; health care professionals; the law enforcement and justice staff; the family and friends; and for the church
As we seek justice, may we be guided by Christ’s assurance in St John 10:10; “the enemy comes to kill, steal and destroy; but I (Christ) am come to offer life, life in abundance”.
I pray that we not only ‘hear’ the Dinahs in our midst but that through our actions we offer fullness of life in Christ to all – abused, abuser and impacted.
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
