Genesis 32:1-23
"Preparing to Meet Esau"
Here, we have a very nervous Jacob seeking to make right with his brother. He sends a runner ahead to meet Esau (who then returns Saying Esau is on his way, accompanied by 400 men), he split the party to keep them safe, he prayed, and he prepared a gift for Esau.
In this passage, we see a mixture of fear and contrition from Jacob towards Esau. He is afraid because of Esau's last reaction to him and the fact that he is accompanied by 400 men. He is also stricken with contrition for putting Esau through pain and denying him both birthright and blessing.
Looking at Jacob's reactions, though,, one could reach the conclusion that Jacob's walk with God wasn't as strong as, say, Abraham. Abraham would very likely have put seeking god highest on the list with the rest following afterwords. I can't say what I'd do, not having been in the same situation, but I can say with whom you should be spending quality time and I can give instructions as to how it must be done. With godly people/council and by spending time daily in the word of God.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Friday, February 3, 2012
3 Feb. 2012 - Genesis 31:36-55
Genesis 31:36-55
"Jacob's Covenant with Laban"
Here, we have Jacob and Laban resolving their differences. Laban, having found no substance to his charges, is now facing the returning declaration from Jacob, proclaiming and protesting his faithfulness in work and in conduct.
Having aired their differences, the two men maturely decided to resolve the conflict with a covenant towards each other. Laban holding Jacob to care for his daughters and both holding each other to their respective lands. They then shared a meal (a sign of peace) and Laban left after greeting his grandchildren.
Here, we have a marvelous example of conflict resolution. Now, it may seem a slightly childish shouting match at first, with accusations from the previous sections flying, but looking at the way the two men resolved the issue is the goal. Both men aired their differences, set up a witness, and made a covenant keeping each other accountable for their respective issues. That is a model for us, as Christians, to follow in conflict resolution.
"Jacob's Covenant with Laban"
Here, we have Jacob and Laban resolving their differences. Laban, having found no substance to his charges, is now facing the returning declaration from Jacob, proclaiming and protesting his faithfulness in work and in conduct.
Having aired their differences, the two men maturely decided to resolve the conflict with a covenant towards each other. Laban holding Jacob to care for his daughters and both holding each other to their respective lands. They then shared a meal (a sign of peace) and Laban left after greeting his grandchildren.
Here, we have a marvelous example of conflict resolution. Now, it may seem a slightly childish shouting match at first, with accusations from the previous sections flying, but looking at the way the two men resolved the issue is the goal. Both men aired their differences, set up a witness, and made a covenant keeping each other accountable for their respective issues. That is a model for us, as Christians, to follow in conflict resolution.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
2 Feb. 2012 - Genesis 31:22-35
Genesis 31:22-35
"Laban Overtakes Jacob"
So, you could say that Laban was a little ticked at Jacob's sudden disappearance. After all, Laban had not a chance to send his daughters and grandchildren off. Also, he was a bit peeved that Jacob had presumably stolen his household idols (It was actually Rachel).
God came to Laban right before he caught up with Jacob and told him not to speak good or ill to Jacob, so Laban refrained from giving Jacob some stern punishment.
When the issue of the idols arises, Jacob swears that no one had stolen them and that whoever had them would be terminally punished (i.e. killed). Well, unbeknownst to him, Rachel had them. When Laban came, she put them in a camel's saddlebags and sat on them, claiming "that time of the month" as a reason for her to not get up and let him search the bags.
So, we have the plot thickening. Exactly what will happen between Jacob and Laban? God has already intervened in warning Laban not to harm Jacob, how will He next provide for Jacob? Yes, God loves and cares for Jacob, but, at this point, Jacob is in the thick of a royal mess and there seems to be no upcoming intervention.
I guess we can take away ffrom this passage a warning against deceit. We have two different deceptions that have taken place. One has been exposed, but the other just got buried deeper. The best way to avoid this type of trouble is to be honest and truthful in your dealings.
"Laban Overtakes Jacob"
So, you could say that Laban was a little ticked at Jacob's sudden disappearance. After all, Laban had not a chance to send his daughters and grandchildren off. Also, he was a bit peeved that Jacob had presumably stolen his household idols (It was actually Rachel).
God came to Laban right before he caught up with Jacob and told him not to speak good or ill to Jacob, so Laban refrained from giving Jacob some stern punishment.
When the issue of the idols arises, Jacob swears that no one had stolen them and that whoever had them would be terminally punished (i.e. killed). Well, unbeknownst to him, Rachel had them. When Laban came, she put them in a camel's saddlebags and sat on them, claiming "that time of the month" as a reason for her to not get up and let him search the bags.
So, we have the plot thickening. Exactly what will happen between Jacob and Laban? God has already intervened in warning Laban not to harm Jacob, how will He next provide for Jacob? Yes, God loves and cares for Jacob, but, at this point, Jacob is in the thick of a royal mess and there seems to be no upcoming intervention.
I guess we can take away ffrom this passage a warning against deceit. We have two different deceptions that have taken place. One has been exposed, but the other just got buried deeper. The best way to avoid this type of trouble is to be honest and truthful in your dealings.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
1 Feb. 2012 - Genesis 31:1-21
Genesis 31:1-21
"Jacob Separates from Laban"
Things have begun to turn sour. The wages Laban has promised to pay Jacob are looking better than the sheep with which he is left. Rumors had begun to spread regarding Jacob, that he was essentially stealing from Laban.
It was at this point that the Lord appeared to Jacob, telling him to go back home (i.e. the land of the promise). We also find out, in Jacob's retelling of prior events, that God has been blessing Jacob with the flocks, bringing together a large, strong, healthy flock for him to take (his wage was all the speckled/spotted/dark-colored sheep). In the same retelling, God revealed himself to Jacob as the God to whom he had made the vow at Bethel (Gen. 28:20-22). Essentially, God was gathering him back into the lands for his descendants.
Jacob, however, makes two mistakes as he leaves:
"Jacob Separates from Laban"
Things have begun to turn sour. The wages Laban has promised to pay Jacob are looking better than the sheep with which he is left. Rumors had begun to spread regarding Jacob, that he was essentially stealing from Laban.
It was at this point that the Lord appeared to Jacob, telling him to go back home (i.e. the land of the promise). We also find out, in Jacob's retelling of prior events, that God has been blessing Jacob with the flocks, bringing together a large, strong, healthy flock for him to take (his wage was all the speckled/spotted/dark-colored sheep). In the same retelling, God revealed himself to Jacob as the God to whom he had made the vow at Bethel (Gen. 28:20-22). Essentially, God was gathering him back into the lands for his descendants.
Jacob, however, makes two mistakes as he leaves:
- He sneaks out, not telling Laban he's gone.
- He doesn't pay attention to Rachel, who then steals Laban's household idols.
God will provide and God will hold you to your promises. that being said, when following God's instruction, do not sin or offend others in the process. As we will see soon, there are repercussions.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
31 Jan. 2012 Genesis 30:25-43
Genesis 30:25-43
"Jacob's Flocks Multiply"
Jacob is now itching to be home again and so he asks Laban to allow him to leave. Laban agrees and offers him payment due for the work he'd done as Laban's shepherd. While at first Jacob refuses, he eventually gives in to pressure and he and Laban set a price -a specific group of Laban's sheep. The initial group isn't large, but, over time, Jacob takes that flock and breeds it stronger than Laban's.
Par of the reason Laban wanted to pay Jacob was because he could see that God was blessing Jacob and, by extension, Laban. Later in the passage, we see Jacob having a stronger flock than Laban's. God was with him and He blessed his work.
God blesses those who serve and obey Him
"Jacob's Flocks Multiply"
Jacob is now itching to be home again and so he asks Laban to allow him to leave. Laban agrees and offers him payment due for the work he'd done as Laban's shepherd. While at first Jacob refuses, he eventually gives in to pressure and he and Laban set a price -a specific group of Laban's sheep. The initial group isn't large, but, over time, Jacob takes that flock and breeds it stronger than Laban's.
Par of the reason Laban wanted to pay Jacob was because he could see that God was blessing Jacob and, by extension, Laban. Later in the passage, we see Jacob having a stronger flock than Laban's. God was with him and He blessed his work.
God blesses those who serve and obey Him
30 Jan. 2012 - Genesis 29:31-30:24
Genesis 29:31-30:24
"Jacob's Sons"
Here we have an accounting of the sons of Jacob. I find it interesting some of the dynamics between Rachel and Leah. Quickly, the tallies (in this passage) are:
Firstly, you'll notice that Jacob had children with his wife's slaves. In those times, from my understanding, if a woman could not conceive, she would offer her slave as a surrogate.
Secondly, which wife did Jacob love most?
Rachel.
Then why does Leah have more children?
Because Rachel was loved more than Leah, God closed Rachel's womb and allowed Leah to have more children. For Leah, having children was a way by which she sought attention from her husband. Rachel was not to be outdone, hence the offering of her slave and Leah then followed suit.
Leah's second set of children, interestingly enough, developed from an arrangement worked out by Rachel and Leah regarding Rachel wanting some food that Reuben, Leah's son, had harvested.
God eventually opened Rachel's womb again so she could have a son for Jacob. It seems as if God were saying to her "all right, you've dealt enough with this".
What can we take away from this? Well, if anything, we can easily see the degree to which polygamy is unwise. Just look at the competition between the two sisters. They grew envious of each other, one for the attention and one for the children. Additionally, imagine Jacob being caught in the midst of this. God initially sanctioned marriage as monogamous in Genesis 2. Here He shows why we should stick with it.
"Jacob's Sons"
Here we have an accounting of the sons of Jacob. I find it interesting some of the dynamics between Rachel and Leah. Quickly, the tallies (in this passage) are:
- Leah: 4 (Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah)
- Bilhah (Rachel's slave): 2 (Dan, Naphtali)
- Zilpah (Leah's slave): 2 (Gad, Asher)
- Leah: 2 (Issachar, Zebulun)
- Rachel: 1 (Joseph)
Firstly, you'll notice that Jacob had children with his wife's slaves. In those times, from my understanding, if a woman could not conceive, she would offer her slave as a surrogate.
Secondly, which wife did Jacob love most?
Rachel.
Then why does Leah have more children?
Because Rachel was loved more than Leah, God closed Rachel's womb and allowed Leah to have more children. For Leah, having children was a way by which she sought attention from her husband. Rachel was not to be outdone, hence the offering of her slave and Leah then followed suit.
Leah's second set of children, interestingly enough, developed from an arrangement worked out by Rachel and Leah regarding Rachel wanting some food that Reuben, Leah's son, had harvested.
God eventually opened Rachel's womb again so she could have a son for Jacob. It seems as if God were saying to her "all right, you've dealt enough with this".
What can we take away from this? Well, if anything, we can easily see the degree to which polygamy is unwise. Just look at the competition between the two sisters. They grew envious of each other, one for the attention and one for the children. Additionally, imagine Jacob being caught in the midst of this. God initially sanctioned marriage as monogamous in Genesis 2. Here He shows why we should stick with it.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
29 Jan. 2012 - Genesis 29:13-30
Genesis 29:13-30
"Jacob Deceived"
Well, Jacob had the table of his own game turn on him. Where, in the past, Jacob was the one who deceived, now he is the one deceived. Jacob, in love with Laban's daughter Rachel, offers to work for 7 years for her. At the end of the 7 years, Laban, unbeknownst to Jacob, actually gives his elder daughter, Leah, to Jacob. Peeved, Jacob then works another 7 years to marry Rachel.
Now, Laban gave as an excuse the local custom of marrying off the elder daughter before the younger. This having of two wives (and their slaves) was a major contributing factor to the 12 tribes of Israel.
Additionally, my OT textbook (Hill & Walton, A Brief Survey of the Old Testament) uses this incident as punishment for Jacob's earlier deceptions. It's a possibility and I don't know enough to say "right" or "wrong".
"Jacob Deceived"
Well, Jacob had the table of his own game turn on him. Where, in the past, Jacob was the one who deceived, now he is the one deceived. Jacob, in love with Laban's daughter Rachel, offers to work for 7 years for her. At the end of the 7 years, Laban, unbeknownst to Jacob, actually gives his elder daughter, Leah, to Jacob. Peeved, Jacob then works another 7 years to marry Rachel.
Now, Laban gave as an excuse the local custom of marrying off the elder daughter before the younger. This having of two wives (and their slaves) was a major contributing factor to the 12 tribes of Israel.
Additionally, my OT textbook (Hill & Walton, A Brief Survey of the Old Testament) uses this incident as punishment for Jacob's earlier deceptions. It's a possibility and I don't know enough to say "right" or "wrong".
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