31-33 Genesis.Docx

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Jacob’s life can be divided into three lifelong struggles − Genesis 27-28: Jacob struggles with his family − Genesis 29-31: Jacob struggles with Laban − Genesis 32-36: Jacob struggles with God

The final act in the drama between Jacob and Laban is about to unfold. − Jacob’s hard-earned wealth and independence have led to the deterioration of their relationship. − The Lord tells Jacob to return to his home − Jacob makes a run for it when Laban’s not looking.

Genesis 31:1–21 (NKJV) Jacob Flees from Laban 31 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. 3 Then the LORD said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers and to your family, and I will be with you.”

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.

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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.’ ”

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.”

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.

One thing that I find interesting is that way that Jacob refers to God… He is the God of my fathers… not my God. − He recognizes that God has blessed his life, but he does not recognize God as his God.

EX: I was watching a VH1 special on the band Poison. This band has lived a live of hedonism and pleasure seeking… living contrary to God… as a result several band members have had near death experiences… and yet they thank God for their success and for their survival. Recognizing God’s blessing, but not surrendering their life to Christ.

He consults his two wives… and their response is… our Father sold us to you, spent our inheritance, so do whatever God has told you.

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− How would you like to be in that kind of marriage? − We are your slaves, not your wives. − We don’t have anything to go back to − So we’re stuck with you − Not only that, but Rachel… the one Jacob loved is an idolator. She steals Laban’s idols. − Now we see the significance of Leah worshipping the Lord at her fourth son… Leah accepted Jacob’s faith, Rachel did not.

Genesis 31:22–30 (NKJV) Laban Pursues Jacob 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.” 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.’ 30 And now you have surely gone because you greatly long for your father’s house, but why did you steal my gods?”

Jacob… Not led by the Spirit, but led by emotion. − How often do we get ourselves in trouble because we operate out of emotion, out of misunderstanding or lack of understanding – not being moved by vision according to the Spirit’s leading. − Jacob acts foolishly – puts Laban in a bad light by doing so − Jacob admits that he is being motivated by fear

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− But also… Jacob is finding out there is an idolator in the house and again reacts out of his emotion

Genesis 31:31–42 (NKJV) 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. 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.”

Laban assumes Jacob is guilty… − not knowing it was his own daughter that stole the idols and begins searching Jacob’s tents without permission. − According to ancient law, the futility of Laban’s search for his property is proof that Jacob was innocent.

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We see pouring from Jacob twenty years of suppressed anger at the abuse and mistreatment of Laban. − He was faithful in taking care of Laban’s flock − He paid for any animal that was attacked by a predator… which according to the law was not Jacob’s responsibility − He worked 14 years for Laban’s two daughters when he only wanted one − Laban changed the agreement ten times − Laban would have sent Jacob away without any severence which was customary for a person in Jacob’s position… unless the Lord hadn’t intervenened. − Laban would have attacked Jacob had God not stopped him. − Jacob is a bitter man

Genesis 31:43–44 (NKJV) Laban’s Covenant with Jacob 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.”

− Now publicly exposed, Laban tries to save face with a statement that has no truth or legal force behind it… o hey Jacob, everything you own comes from me. o Why would I attack my own. o Let’s make an agreement. − Laban proposes a pact of mutual non-agression − By doing so, Laban acknowledges that Jacob is a separate, independent social entity of equal status.

Genesis 31:45–55 (NKJV)

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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 (A Heap Of Stones), but Jacob called it Galeed (A Heap Of Witness). 48 And Laban said, “This heap is a witness between you and me this day.” Therefore its name was called Galeed, 49 also Mizpah (Watch Tower), 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!” 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.

− Laban tried to downplay the pact… it’s just a pile of rocks − Jacob said no… it’s a silent witness of our friendship pact. o This will serve as a watch tower. o If you pass this watch tower, everyone will know you are violating the pact − Jacob continues on his journey home… but more trouble from his past awaits him… Esau his brother.

Genesis 32:1–8 (NKJV) Esau Comes to Meet Jacob 32 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. 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

______Jesus In Genesis 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.” 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.”

A new era has begun in Jacobs life − In the same way that Jacob’s journey from Canaan was marked by the appearance of angels (Genesis 28:12) − His return to Canaan is also marked by the appearance of angels

David writes of divine protection marked by the presence of angels Psalm 91:9–11 (NKJV) 9 Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, 10 No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; 11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.

Jacob calls this place God’s camp − But he also calls it Mahanaim which means two camps – − Jacob is freaking out right now – Esau is coming with 400 men − In Jacob’s eyes, this can only mean one thing – Esau is seeking revenge − Jacob divides his household and his possessions into two camps − He’s got plan A and plan B – his exit strategy − How often do we set up our exit strategy in case God doesn’t come through?

Genesis 32:9–12 (NKJV) 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

______Jesus In Genesis 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.’ ”

Out of fear, Jacob reminds God of the Covenant that God has made with him. − I find it interesting how Jacob speaks to God, as if God doesn’t know or God has forgotten − Jacob’s perception of God is based on his own belief systems about God, not based on who God actually is. − Jacob is confronted with his guiltiness over how he treated Esau and relates to God on the basis of guilt, not on the basis of the Covenant God has made with him.

What we believe about God is the single most influential factor in our lives. − If you see God in light of your guilt – then you will see the circumstances of life based on your goodness or your badness. − I deserve that because I’m guilty − I don’t deserve that because I’m good

God relates to us on the basis of His Covenant with us – every sin is covered by the blood of Jesus Christ. − Now the issue is not one of guilt, but belief… do you believe God or are you governed by unbelief? − The man who does not believe does not live in the salvation that God has provided and continues to try and prove his worth through self-effort. − Lord you must save this person because they’re a good person and they love you and they serve you and they have proven their worth to you. − But God doesn’t save on the basis of our worth because our best efforts fall short of God’s glory… but He saves on the basis of grace through faith. − Jacob is still trying to prove his worth to God… but just in case it doesn’t work, I’m going to see what I can do in the situation…

Genesis 32:13–21 (NKJV)

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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 is doing everything in his own power to secure his salvation He is in the place of two camps – one camp a way of escape / one camp salvation by works. What a powerful symbol of the man with whom God is after… on the one hand, trying to bargain with God on his own terms and on the other hand ready to run from God if it doesn’t work out. It’s here in the place of two camps that Jacob wrestles with God

Genesis 32:22–32 (NKJV) Wrestling with God 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. 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. 26 And He said, “Let Me go, for the day breaks.” But he said, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!” 27 So He said to him, “What is your name?” He said, “Jacob.”

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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. 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.

Hosea refers to this man as an angel and says that the Lord is his memorial or the Lord is his name. (Hosea 12:1-5) − This is a theophany (an O.T. appearance of Christ)

The struggle between Jacob and God leaves Jacob crippled and from this point forward he walks with a limp − God had to cripple Jacob in order to get him − Jacob refuses to give in – God could have pinned down his shoulders, but He wouldn’t have pinned down Jacob’s will − But God render’s Jacob helpless with just a touch of the finger of God − Now Jacob won’t let go of God – he’s finally holding on to Him, the struggling and striving are over and now Jacob is dependent on God − Jacob, clinging onto God says… I want your blessing – what does God do? He gives it to him. − Jacob’s name is changed from “heal catcher, trickster, conniver” to Israel “God strives.” − Signifying that Jacob’s life is no longer marked by his own efforts, but on God’s effort. − A spiritual transformation has taken place that is marked by a change in His name – this man of the flesh has prevailed and has become a man of faith.

Genesis 33:1–11 (NKJV) Jacob and Esau Meet 33 Now Jacob lifted his eyes and looked, and there, Esau was coming, and with him were four hundred men. So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two maidservants. 2 And he put the maidservants and their

______Jesus In Genesis children in front, Leah and her children behind, and Rachel and Joseph last. 3 Then he crossed over before them and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother. 4 But Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept. 5 And he lifted his eyes and saw the women and children, and said, “Who are these with you?” So he said, “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.” 6 Then the maidservants came near, they and their children, and bowed down. 7 And Leah also came near with her children, and they bowed down. Afterward Joseph and Rachel came near, and they bowed down. 8 Then Esau said, “What do you mean by all this company which I met?” And he said, “These are to find favor in the sight of my lord.” 9 But Esau said, “I have enough, my brother; keep what you have for yourself.” 10 And Jacob said, “No, please, if I have now found favor in your sight, then receive my present from my hand, inasmuch as I have seen your face as though I had seen the face of God, and you were pleased with me. 11 Please, take my blessing that is brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough.” So he urged him, and he took it.

− Jacob in fear of Esau’s revenge comes to Esau in humility o He bows low seven times – a symbol of submission − Jacob discovers that Esau has forgiven him o Esau kisses Jacob in sincere forgiveness… the final resolution to Jacob’s deceitful kiss (Genesis 27:26) o They weep together o Jacob refers to himself as your servant… a sign of humility − Esau asks Jacob about the gifts that preceeded them − Jacob makes restitution for how he wronged Esau − Esau receive’s Jacobs restitution – he doesn’t reciprocate the gift meaning that he acknowledged that it was for the purpose of righting a wrong

Genesis 33:12–17 (NKJV) 12 Then Esau said, “Let us take our journey; let us go, and I will go before you.” 13 But Jacob said to him, “My lord knows that the children are weak, and the flocks and herds which are nursing are with me. And if the men should

______Jesus In Genesis drive them hard one day, all the flock will die. 14 Please let my lord go on ahead before his servant. I will lead on slowly at a pace which the livestock that go before me, and the children, are able to endure, until I come to my lord in Seir.” 15 And Esau said, “Now let me leave with you some of the people who are with me.” But he said, “What need is there? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord.” 16 So Esau returned that day on his way to Seir. 17 And Jacob journeyed to Succoth, built himself a house, and made booths for his livestock. Therefore the name of the place is called Succoth.

− Jacob tells Esau to go on to Seir while he takes a slower pace − Jacob doesn’t go to Seir, but goes to Succoth instead

Genesis 33:18–20 (NKJV) Jacob Comes to Canaan 18 Then Jacob came safely to the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padan Aram; and he pitched his tent before the city. 19 And he bought the parcel of land, where he had pitched his tent, from the children of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for one hundred pieces of money. 20 Then he erected an altar there and called it El Elohe Israel.

− After a stay at Succoth, Jacob finally returns home to Shechem − It is at Shechem that God spoke to Abraham − Jacob purchases a parcel of land in Canaan… why could he do that? − Because he was born in Canaan, he now has the right to purchase land. − He erects an altar as an act of thanksgiving – usually an altar was erected to signify the place as a meeting place with God − In this instance, he erects an altar as an act of worship for what God has done. − He calls it El Elohe Israel or God of Israel.

Some Applications:

Seeing God Through Jacob − In affirming the Abrahamic Covenant with Jacob at Bethel, we see God’s interest in a man on the run and His ongoing promise − In blessing Jacob materially in Haran, we see a God who provides for

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His people in strange and hostile surroundings. − In blessing Jacob after he wrestled with the angel, we see a God who rewards those who persistently seek Him. − In blessing Jacob with 12 sons, we see a God who made preparations for the rapid growth of His people while they were in a pleasant land.

Seeing Ourselves Through Jacob − In Jacob’s scheming, we see our own inclination to trust our wits rather than God’s promises. − In Jacob’s repeated flights, we see our own fear of facing the consequences of our bad choices. − In Jacob’s wrestling match with the angel, we see reflected our own deep thirst for God’s blessing. − In Jacob’s individualism, we see our own need to be ourselves in our relationship with God.