Wednesday Bible Study 05/04/22
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Genesis 31
Genesis 31
Jacob flees from Laban to Canaan
A. Jacob has some disputes with Laban’s sons and it causes Laban to look at Jacob a little bit differently (31:1-16)
A. Jacob has some disputes with Laban’s sons and it causes Laban to look at Jacob a little bit differently (31:1-16)
1. Jacob and Laban’s sons have a dispute
1. Jacob and Laban’s sons have a dispute
1 Now Jacob heard the words of Laban’s sons, saying, “Jacob has taken away all that was our father’s, and from what was our father’s he has acquired all this wealth.”
2 And Jacob saw the countenance of Laban, and indeed it was not favorable toward him as before.
It wasn’t that Jacob had taken anything belonging to Laban
It was that his wealth was increasing in proportion to Laban’s wealth
The problem wasn’t that Jacob stole; it was that Laban’s sons were full of envy
Envy will always distort the truth.
Jacob hadn’t taken anything from Laban, but envy will lie.
When Laban’s sons saw that Jacob became rich, they viewed his wealth as essentially stolen, despite the fact that
a) Laban asked Jacob to name a price for his many years of service
b) That service resulted in great prosperity for Laban.
Jacobs wealth was entirely due to his own efforts and God’s blessing.
The Hebrew/Jewish people have always been envied because of God’s blessing upon them.
2. God tells Jacob to go back home v. 3
2. God tells Jacob to go back home v. 3
3 Then the Lord said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers and to your family, and I will be with you.”
In the last chapter, God had already been dealing with Jacob about going back to Canaan
25 And it came to pass, when Rachel had borne Joseph, that Jacob said to Laban, “Send me away, that I may go to my own place and to my country.
Then his present circumstances became unbearable
Then God was like gave him some personal direction to go and the promise was that He would be with Jacob.
Laban was delaying (again) Jacob
The enemy likes to strike up deals with you to delay you
The promise is this: Wherever God calls us to go, He will be with us!
He’ll never ask you to go somewhere where His presence won’t follow you
We can do anything He asks us to do!
3. Jacob explains the situation and his plan to his wives v. 4-13
3. Jacob explains the situation and his plan to his wives v. 4-13
4 So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field, to his flock,
5 and said to them, “I see your father’s countenance, that it is not favorable toward me as before; but the God of my father has been with me.
6 And you know that with all my might I have served your father.
7 Yet your father has deceived me and changed my wages ten times, but God did not allow him to hurt me.
8 If he said thus: ‘The speckled shall be your wages,’ then all the flocks bore speckled. And if he said thus: ‘The streaked shall be your wages,’ then all the flocks bore streaked.
9 So God has taken away the livestock of your father and given them to me.
10 “And it happened, at the time when the flocks conceived, that I lifted my eyes and saw in a dream, and behold, the rams which leaped upon the flocks were streaked, speckled, and gray-spotted.
11 Then the Angel of God spoke to me in a dream, saying, ‘Jacob.’ And I said, ‘Here I am.’
12 And He said, ‘Lift your eyes now and see, all the rams which leap on the flocks are streaked, speckled, and gray-spotted; for I have seen all that Laban is doing to you.
13 I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the pillar and where you made a vow to Me. Now arise, get out of this land, and return to the land of your family.’ ”
Even though Laban tried to cheat Jacob, God protected him all the time. God showed Jacob that He was greater and able to overcome what any man might do to him.
v. 13 - “I am the God of Bethel”
Think back. Remember. That’s what we’ve got to keep doing as we walk in faith. Remember what God has done for us.
God told Jacob to go back to Bethel - back to the place where he had encountered the Lord in a personal way.
He was reminding Jacob of their encounter at Bethel many years before and of their mutual vows.
God vowed to provide Jacob protection, and Jacob vowed that if God followed through on that promise and brought him safely back to the land of his birth, God would be his God, and he would tithe his wealth.
“Get back to your first love and your first works.”
That’s what Jesus told the Church at Ephesus in Revelation 2
4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.
When we remember the ways the Lord has met us and the great works He’s done for us, God reminds us that He is still the same God who met our needs then and wants to meet our needs now!
4. Leah and Rachel support Jacob in his desire to move back to Canaan v. 14-16
4. Leah and Rachel support Jacob in his desire to move back to Canaan v. 14-16
14 Then Rachel and Leah answered and said to him, “Is there still any portion or inheritance for us in our father’s house?
15 Are we not considered strangers by him? For he has sold us, and also completely consumed our money.
16 For all these riches which God has taken from our father are really ours and our children’s; now then, whatever God has said to you, do it.”
Leah and Rachel are actually in agreement about something!
It would be a huge undertaking to move a large family so far. But Jacob had the support of his wives.
B. Jacob’s flight from Laban 31:17-42
B. Jacob’s flight from Laban 31:17-42
1. Jacob leaves without saying goodbye v. 17-21
1. Jacob leaves without saying goodbye v. 17-21
17 Then Jacob rose and set his sons and his wives on camels.
18 And he carried away all his livestock and all his possessions which he had gained, his acquired livestock which he had gained in Padan Aram, to go to his father Isaac in the land of Canaan.
19 Now Laban had gone to shear his sheep, and Rachel had stolen the household idols that were her father’s.
20 And Jacob stole away, unknown to Laban the Syrian, in that he did not tell him that he intended to flee.
21 So he fled with all that he had. He arose and crossed the river, and headed toward the mountains of Gilead.
I think Jacob intended a quick departure traveling as fast as possible.
It was a flex that his entire family could travel on camels.
God had already told Jacob to go and promised him safe passage.
I think he was little bit afraid of Laban, though
Maybe have acted a little bit out of the flesh
Rachel stole the household idols before she left
Why?
It could be that she worshiped these idols and didn’t want to be without them. Maybe she didn’t want her father to inquire of them, using them as tools of divination to catch them
Maybe it was because such idols were often used as deeds to property and she thought this was taking whatever inheritance might be left to Laban’s children
Maybe she stole them to get back at her father, who she felt had mistreated her and her family
Maybe, just maybe, she was sold out to the one true God and she took them to keep her father Laban from idolatry (Jewish tradition)
More than likely she did it because she believed they would bring good fortune on the journey back to Jacob’s homeland.
She surely believed in the God of Jacob, but she might well have still believed in the power of the idols with which she grew up with.
Remember, she used mandrakes in Chapter 30 to get pregnant
So she was open to using Jacob’s God, but also the things in her father’s household
But the Bible makes it very clear: “God remembered Rachel” in Genesis 30:22 and that is when she conceived!
They were headed to the Mountains of Gilead
It was about 300 miles from Haran to the Mountains of Gilead
But the journey was longer and tougher psychologically than physically for Jacob.
He left the place of safety, where he lived in a comfortable servitude, to go to a place where God has called him. But dangerous enemies were lurking in the direction he was headed…including his brother Esau who swore to kill him.
2. Laban pursues and catches Jacob v. 22-24
2. Laban pursues and catches Jacob v. 22-24
22 And Laban was told on the third day that Jacob had fled.
23 Then he took his brethren with him and pursued him for seven days’ journey, and he overtook him in the mountains of Gilead.
24 But God had come to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said to him, “Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad.”
Laban didn’t find out about Jacob’s departure for three days (which means there had been some distance between the two households)
He catches him in the Mountains of Gilead
But God told Laban in a dream to leave Jacob alone
3. Laban meets and confronts Jacob v. 25-29
3. Laban meets and confronts Jacob v. 25-29
25 So Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mountains, and Laban with his brethren pitched in the mountains of Gilead.
26 And Laban said to Jacob: “What have you done, that you have stolen away unknown to me, and carried away my daughters like captives taken with the sword?
27 Why did you flee away secretly, and steal away from me, and not tell me; for I might have sent you away with joy and songs, with timbrel and harp?
28 And you did not allow me to kiss my sons and my daughters. Now you have done foolishly in so doing.
29 It is in my power to do you harm, but the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, ‘Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad.’
At this point, Jacob wasn’t very far from the Jordan River and the Promised Land.
Both Jacob and Laban are traveling QUICKLY
This took a lot of determination from Laban to catch up with Jacob. He was BIG MAD.
First, he tries to shame Jacob with kindness:
“Why did you flee away secretly, and steal away from me, and not tell me; I for I might have sent you away with joy and songs, with timbrel and harp?”
I think Jacob’s facial expression never changed and Laban was met with an unsympathetic response. So Laban threatened him, (“It is in my power to do you harm”)
4. Laban accuses Jacob of stealing his teraphim and searches for them v.30-35
4. Laban accuses Jacob of stealing his teraphim and searches for them v.30-35
30 And now you have surely gone because you greatly long for your father’s house, but why did you steal my gods?”
31 Then Jacob answered and said to Laban, “Because I was afraid, for I said, ‘Perhaps you would take your daughters from me by force.’
32 With whomever you find your gods, do not let him live. In the presence of our brethren, identify what I have of yours and take it with you.” For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them.
33 And Laban went into Jacob’s tent, into Leah’s tent, and into the two maids’ tents, but he did not find them. Then he went out of Leah’s tent and entered Rachel’s tent.
34 Now Rachel had taken the household idols, put them in the camel’s saddle, and sat on them. And Laban searched all about the tent but did not find them.
35 And she said to her father, “Let it not displease my lord that I cannot rise before you, for the manner of women is with me.” And he searched but did not find the household idols.
Jacob had no idea that Rachel had taken the idols
He proclaims innocence on himself and places a curse on the thief, not knowing it was Rachel
Rachel learned deceit from Laban
She sat on the idols
5. Jacob rebukes his father-in-law v. 36-42
5. Jacob rebukes his father-in-law v. 36-42
36 Then Jacob was angry and rebuked Laban, and Jacob answered and said to Laban: “What is my trespass? What is my sin, that you have so hotly pursued me?
37 Although you have searched all my things, what part of your household things have you found? Set it here before my brethren and your brethren, that they may judge between us both!
38 These twenty years I have been with you; your ewes and your female goats have not miscarried their young, and I have not eaten the rams of your flock.
39 That which was torn by beasts I did not bring to you; I bore the loss of it. You required it from my hand, whether stolen by day or stolen by night.
40 There I was! In the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night, and my sleep departed from my eyes.
41 Thus I have been in your house twenty years; I served you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your flock, and you have changed my wages ten times.
42 Unless the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. God has seen my affliction and the labor of my hands, and rebuked you last night.”
I think this was probably about 20 years of anger coming out. He’d probably been practicing this speech in the mirror!
Elaborate
C. Laban and Jacob make a covenant (31:43-55)
C. Laban and Jacob make a covenant (31:43-55)
43 And Laban answered and said to Jacob, “These daughters are my daughters, and these children are my children, and this flock is my flock; all that you see is mine. But what can I do this day to these my daughters or to their children whom they have borne?
44 Now therefore, come, let us make a covenant, you and I, and let it be a witness between you and me.”
45 So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a pillar.
46 Then Jacob said to his brethren, “Gather stones.” And they took stones and made a heap, and they ate there on the heap.
47 Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha, but Jacob called it Galeed.
48 And Laban said, “This heap is a witness between you and me this day.” Therefore its name was called Galeed,
49 also Mizpah, because he said, “May the Lord watch between you and me when we are absent one from another.
50 If you afflict my daughters, or if you take other wives besides my daughters, although no man is with us—see, God is witness between you and me!”
“All you see is mine” - Laban boldly said that everything Jacob had actually belonged to HIM
“But out of the generosity of my heart, I’ll let you have it.”
Laban viewed his daughters and grandchildren as rightful possessions
To him, Jacob was nothing more than a servant, entitled to his own freedom after years of service - but not to his wives, children, or flocks.
But he also understood how limited his options were
His daughters had free will, and they preferred to go with their husband, and he was facing the will of Jacob’s God, who wanted Jacob left unharmed to return with his family to the Promised Land
In this covenant, Laban expressed how suspicious he was of Jacob
The idea of Mizpah (watch) is “If you do wrong, God will see it and may He punish.”
In effect, the pillar of Mizpah meant, “If you come over on my side of this line, the pact is void and I will kill you.”
The covenant breaker would need God to take care of him, because the other would shoot to kill.
Mizpah was never meant to be a nice sentiment
A pillar of separation and a parting of their ways (v. 51-55)
51 Then Laban said to Jacob, “Here is this heap and here is this pillar, which I have placed between you and me.
52 This heap is a witness, and this pillar is a witness, that I will not pass beyond this heap to you, and you will not pass beyond this heap and this pillar to me, for harm.
53 The God of Abraham, the God of Nahor, and the God of their father judge between us.” And Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac.
54 Then Jacob offered a sacrifice on the mountain, and called his brethren to eat bread. And they ate bread and stayed all night on the mountain.
55 And early in the morning Laban arose, and kissed his sons and daughters and blessed them. Then Laban departed and returned to his place.
Maybe their is some wisdom in having separation between in-laws? Well, at least in this case
Laban and Jacob seemed to have more problems than many, so this was an extreme separation
This is the last time we see Laban in the Bible
Laban represents the world and its systems
Jacob needed to separate himself from that in order to obey and live in the promises of God to live wholeheartedly for Him
Genesis 32
Genesis 32
Jacob prepares to meet Esau
A. Jacob hears of Esau’s approach (32:1-21)
A. Jacob hears of Esau’s approach (32:1-21)
1. Jacob meets the angels of God at Mahanaim. He realizes God is with him and he has angelic protection (v. 1-2)
1. Jacob meets the angels of God at Mahanaim. He realizes God is with him and he has angelic protection (v. 1-2)
1 So Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.
2 When Jacob saw them, he said, “This is God’s camp.” And he called the name of that place Mahanaim.
Manahaim is a variation of the Hebrew word for “camp”
We don’t know exactly how the angels met him. In some way, Jacob interacted with angels
Maybe God wanted Jacob to know ow great His care was for him and his family
This was WONDERFUL revelation and care AFTER Jacob finally separated from Laban, the worldly man.
Separation from the world brings great insight to the believer.
2. Jacob’s message to Esau (v. 3-6)
2. Jacob’s message to Esau (v. 3-6)
3 Then Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother in the land of Seir, the country of Edom.
4 And he commanded them, saying, “Speak thus to my lord Esau, ‘Thus your servant Jacob says: “I have dwelt with Laban and stayed there until now.
5 I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, and male and female servants; and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find favor in your sight.” ’ ”
6 Then the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, “We came to your brother Esau, and he also is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him.”
Jacob is seeking to reconcile with his brother, who 20 years earlier had vowed to kill him
First, he humbled himself and send the message: “your servant Jacob”
He publicly acknowledges Esau as his older brother
Jacob wasn’t bragging about all his things, he just wanted Esau to see he didn’t come to take anything from him.
Jacob tries to anticipate Esau’s thinking and answer his concerns
Then Jacob gets word back from the messengers, “Esau is coming with 400 of his homies”
This was a bit unsettling for Jacob
Remember, Abraham went into battle for his nephew Lot with 318 men
400 was fighting size
3. Jacob’s fear and carnal preparation (v. 7-8)
3. Jacob’s fear and carnal preparation (v. 7-8)
7 So Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed; and he divided the people that were with him, and the flocks and herds and camels, into two companies.
8 And he said, “If Esau comes to the one company and attacks it, then the other company which is left will escape.”
When Laban confronted Jacob with his militia, Jacob boldly stood up to him
But with Esau, Jacob was afraid to meet him.
This was because Jacob knew he was in the right with Laban, but he knew he was in the wrong with Esau
Before Jacob left home, Esau had sworn to kill him
Rebekah had never sent for Jacob in 20 years, so he had every reason to believe that Esau had not had a change of heart.
BUT - Jacob also knew and had every reason to believe that God would protect him.
He seems to have forgotten that God had a special camp of angels around him to protect him.
His fear and distress is not appropriate for someone who is protected by God
So he splits up his camp to prepare for Esau’s coming. God didn’t tell him to do that - it showed lack of trust.
4. Jacob’s prayer (v. 9-12)
4. Jacob’s prayer (v. 9-12)
9 Then Jacob said, “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, the Lord who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your family, and I will deal well with you’:
10 I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant; for I crossed over this Jordan with my staff, and now I have become two companies.
11 Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, lest he come and attack me and the mother with the children.
12 For You said, ‘I will surely treat you well, and make your descendants as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.’ ”
After fearing, Jacob did the right thing. He went to the Lord and prayed a good, humble, full of faith and thanksgiving prayer.
Jacob’s prayer had God’s Word in it.
Our prayers should be full of God’s word!
If we’re full of God’s word, our prayers will be too
Jacob REMEMBERED what God had said to him.
5. Jacob sends many gifts to Esau (v. 13-21)
13 So he lodged there that same night, and took what came to his hand as a present for Esau his brother:
14 two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams,
15 thirty milk camels with their colts, forty cows and ten bulls, twenty female donkeys and ten foals.
16 Then he delivered them to the hand of his servants, every drove by itself, and said to his servants, “Pass over before me, and put some distance between successive droves.”
17 And he commanded the first one, saying, “When Esau my brother meets you and asks you, saying, ‘To whom do you belong, and where are you going? Whose are these in front of you?’
18 then you shall say, ‘They are your servant Jacob’s. It is a present sent to my lord Esau; and behold, he also is behind us.’ ”
19 So he commanded the second, the third, and all who followed the droves, saying, “In this manner you shall speak to Esau when you find him;
20 and also say, ‘Behold, your servant Jacob is behind us.’ ” For he said, “I will appease him with the present that goes before me, and afterward I will see his face; perhaps he will accept me.”
21 So the present went on over before him, but he himself lodged that night in the camp.
Jacob sent such an impressive gift because he wanted to make it completely clear to Esau that he didn’t need or want anything from him.
It could also be that he was wanting to buy his good favor!
B. Jacob wrestles with God (32:22-32)
B. Jacob wrestles with God (32:22-32)
1. Jacob sends all his possessions over the river (v. 22-23)
1. Jacob sends all his possessions over the river (v. 22-23)
22 And he arose that night and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven sons, and crossed over the ford of Jabbok.
23 He took them, sent them over the brook, and sent over what he had.
This was a demonstration of faith! Jacob left himself no retreat.
In the ancient world, crossing a river was a monumental task, considered to be laden with significance.
The Jabbok is a river in modern day Jordan (called the Zarqa River now)
It was particularly challenging due to the steep banks on both sides
Jacob spent the night alone. The was his last night on the east side of the Jordan - he probably spent the night in prayer.
2. A man wrestles with Jacob (v. 24-25)
2. A man wrestles with Jacob (v. 24-25)
24 Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day.
25 Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob’s hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him.
Jacob didn’t wrestle with a man…a man wrestled with him
Jacob didn’t start out wanting anything from God - God wanted something form him.
God wanted all of Jacob’s proud self-reliance and fleshly scheming and came to take it, by force if necessary
This was no mere man
This is another appearance of Jesus in the Old Testament before His incarnation in Bethlehem.
This was God in human form.
We can only imagine what this scene looked like.
Maybe it was like a bar room brawl
Maybe it was like an intense wrestling match
But Jacob fought all night long
He was determined!
As the fight progressed, it seemed Jacob was pretty evenly matched against the Man. But the match was only even in appearance. The Man could have easily won at any time, using supernatural power.
Sometimes we feel like man really can contend with God
Someone in rebellion against God might seem to do pretty well.
That match SEEMS even in appearance only.
God can turn the tide at any moment.
Jacob must have felt really defeated!
3. Jacob’s plea to the Man (v. 26
3. Jacob’s plea to the Man (v. 26
26 And He said, “Let Me go, for the day breaks.” But he said, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!”
There was humbleness with this request
Jacob was reduced to the place where all he could do was to hold on to the Lord with everything he had.
He couldn’t fight anymore, but he could hold on. That’s not a bad place to be.
Jacob thought the real enemy was outside of him - Esau. The real enemy was his own carnal, fleshly nature, which had not been conquered by God.
4. Jacob’s name is changed, and he is a blessed man (v. 27-29)
4. Jacob’s name is changed, and he is a blessed man (v. 27-29)
27 So He said to him, “What is your name?” He said, “Jacob.”
28 And He said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.”
29 Then Jacob asked, saying, “Tell me Your name, I pray.” And He said, “Why is it that you ask about My name?” And He blessed him there.
Jacob must have felt a sense of shame, admitting his name was Jacob
Deception, cheating
This is who he was, he had to admit it
God says, that’s not your name anymore. You are Israel.
Israel is a compound of two words: “Sarah” meaning fight, struggle, or rule / El: meaning God
Israel likely means, “God rules”
From this point on, he will be called Jacob twice as often as he is called Israel. Apparently, there was still plenty of the old man left in Jacob!
Jacob prevailed in the sense that he endured through his struggle until God thoroughly conquered him.
5. Two memorials of this event (v. 30-32)
5. Two memorials of this event (v. 30-32)
30 So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: “For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.”
31 Just as he crossed over Penuel the sun rose on him, and he limped on his hip.
32 Therefore to this day the children of Israel do not eat the muscle that shrank, which is on the hip socket, because He touched the socket of Jacob’s hip in the muscle that shrank.
Peniel = “Face of God”
No man should be able to wrestle with God and live. It was only by God’s grace and mercy he escaped from this with his life.
The second memorial was a perpetual limp
Jacob would be remembered his being conquered by God with every step he took for the rest of his life
This was a small price to pay for such a great gift.