Jacob Flees
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Intro:
Intro:
The Time To Depart
The Time To Depart
Now Jacob heard that the sons of Laban were saying, “Jacob has taken all that was our father’s, and from what was our father’s he has gained all this wealth.”
And Jacob saw that Laban did not regard him with favor as before.
Then the Lord said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you.”
Gen 31:1-3
Human Side:
Human Side:
More and more grumblings from Laban’s sons
They were focused on material things.
As Jacob prospered, they saw their inheritance dwindle.
This didn’t sit well with them and probably not with Laban either.
So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah into the field where his flock was
and said to them, “I see that your father does not regard me with favor as he did before. But the God of my father has been with me.
You know that I have served your father with all my strength,
yet your father has cheated me and changed my wages ten times. But God did not permit him to harm me.
If he said, ‘The spotted shall be your wages,’ then all the flock bore spotted; and if he said, ‘The striped shall be your wages,’ then all the flock bore striped.
Thus God has taken away the livestock of your father and given them to me.
Wages were altered along the way
Possibly really 10 times, possible hyperbole
It would be in line with what we know about Laban
Laban had sought to to cripple Jacob’s enterprise, but God didn’t allow it.
Divine Side:
Divine Side:
God said go home
Earlier, Jacob had wanted to go home, but it wasn’t God’s timing.
He had his wives and children
God wanted to prosper him with material things as well.
God now directs Jacob it is time.
More is included in v. 10-13
In the breeding season of the flock I lifted up my eyes and saw in a dream that the goats that mated with the flock were striped, spotted, and mottled.
Then the angel of God said to me in the dream, ‘Jacob,’ and I said, ‘Here I am!’
And he said, ‘Lift up your eyes and see, all the goats that mate with the flock are striped, spotted, and mottled, for I have seen all that Laban is doing to you.
I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and made a vow to me. Now arise, go out from this land and return to the land of your kindred.’ ”
Gen 31:10-13
God identified Himself and reminded Jacob of their previous encounter at Bethel.
Family Harmony
Family Harmony
Then Rachel and Leah answered and said to him, “Is there any portion or inheritance left to us in our father’s house?
Are we not regarded by him as foreigners? For he has sold us, and he has indeed devoured our money.
All the wealth that God has taken away from our father belongs to us and to our children. Now then, whatever God has said to you, do.”
His wives concurred and even showed doubt o how their father would treat them if they remained.
They further acknowledged that God had intervened and refunded what their father had tried to take away
The Journey
The Journey
Hitting the Road
Hitting the Road
So Jacob arose and set his sons and his wives on camels.
He drove away all his livestock, all his property that he had gained, the livestock in his possession that he had acquired in Paddan-aram, to go to the land of Canaan to his father Isaac.
Laban had gone to shear his sheep, and Rachel stole her father’s household gods.
And Jacob tricked Laban the Aramean, by not telling him that he intended to flee.
He fled with all that he had and arose and crossed the Euphrates, and set his face toward the hill country of Gilead.
Gen 31:17-21
Jacob didn’t let Laban know.
He failed to follow the normal courtesy of announcing his plan.
They snuck off and clearly were pressing hard because it takes Laban 7 days to catch up even though Jacob’s entourage was burdened with animals, possessions, and children.
Laban’s Reaction:
Laban’s Reaction:
When it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob had fled,
he took his kinsmen with him and pursued him for seven days and followed close after him into the hill country of Gilead.
When it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob had fled,
he took his kinsmen with him and pursued him for seven days and followed close after him into the hill country of Gilead.
But God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream by night and said to him, “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.”
Gen 31:22-24
I don’t think Laban was worried about not getting to kiss the kids goodbye.
God Intervenes
God Intervenes
But God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream by night and said to him, “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.”
God shows up and warns Laban.
He had been at work “behind the scenes”
though recognized
Now, He directly intervenes
The Showdown
The Showdown
And Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the hill country, and Laban with his kinsmen pitched tents in the hill country of Gilead.
And Laban said to Jacob, “What have you done, that you have tricked me and driven away my daughters like captives of the sword?
Why did you flee secretly and trick me, and did not tell me, so that I might have sent you away with mirth and songs, with tambourine and lyre?
And why did you not permit me to kiss my sons and my daughters farewell? Now you have done foolishly.
It is in my power to do you harm. But the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, ‘Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.’
And now you have gone away because you longed greatly for your father’s house, but why did you steal my gods?”
Jacob answered and said to Laban, “Because I was afraid, for I thought that you would take your daughters from me by force.
Anyone with whom you find your gods shall not live. In the presence of our kinsmen point out what I have that is yours, and take it.” Now Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them.
And Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the hill country, and Laban with his kinsmen pitched tents in the hill country of Gilead.
And Laban said to Jacob, “What have you done, that you have tricked me and driven away my daughters like captives of the sword?
Why did you flee secretly and trick me, and did not tell me, so that I might have sent you away with mirth and songs, with tambourine and lyre?
And why did you not permit me to kiss my sons and my daughters farewell? Now you have done foolishly.
It is in my power to do you harm. But the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, ‘Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.’
And now you have gone away because you longed greatly for your father’s house, but why did you steal my gods?”
Jacob answered and said to Laban, “Because I was afraid, for I thought that you would take your daughters from me by force.
Gen 31:25-
The Search
Laban presents his case
Laban presents his case
Laban said Jacob missed a party!
Acted wronged over the social blunder
Gen 31:33
Threatens in a veiled way, “it is in my power to do you harm”
Jacob Responds
Jacob Responds
Reveals what he thought of Laban’s character
He expected to leave empty handed if Laban had known.
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
Again we see GOD is always at work and can take comfort in that knowledge.
Guided Jacob
Told him it was time to leave.
God directs us today:
Bible- Primary way
If God says it, that settles it
We must study and apply His word
God guides and often confirms and/or explains His word.
Prayer
Ask for wisdom
Ask for understanding of His word
Circumstances
Not always as clear
don’t assume least resistance is God’s will
However, if He calls us to do something, He equips us
Example: God says to make disciples. As we renew our commitment and look for opportunities to share the gospel, He brings people into our lives who need the gospel.
Church
Lessons taught, sermons preached, topics discussed can all work together to help us understand and apply the word.
We need the counsel of saints
Protected Jacob
God intervened and halted an attack
HE still watches over His own.
Nothing can stop His plan
He works all things for our good.
(Not all
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
(Not all all things are good, but they are best for us.)
Trust Him!
no room for fear
Do what He has said to do and trust Him to carry out His perfect plan.