Here We Go Again

Here We Go Again

Genesis 35:1 Then God said to Jacob, “Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there; and make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother.”

 

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Simeon and Levi, Jacob’s sons, had just caused a mess. They killed all the men of Shechem and took their wives, children and possessions. Jacob feared for everyone’s life in his camp. With no plan, GOD appeared to him.

 

My Observations:

• Jacob was in a situation where he had to run for his life again.
• Jacob caused the mess he had between him and Esau, and found himself in the same situation caused by his sons.
• GOD had to tell Jacob to go back to the same place where he fled from Esau.

 

Fleeing, probably was not Jacob’s plan. He was told by GOD to return to Isaac’s and Rebekah’s land and may have thought he would settle there. Now he feared that his sons had upset very powerful groups from all over.

 

Bethel, also called Luz, was the place where GOD showed Jacob the supernatural ladder. Angels descended and ascended the ladder and Jacob promised he would offer the LORD ten percent of all he had. GOD sent Jacob back to this place and commanded him to build the altar he promised.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD told Moses about HIS command to Jacob to leave and build an altar?
• Are you in a situation that seems very messed up?
• Do you have faith in GOD to handle all your difficult situations, even the one you are in right now?

Scary Obedience

Scary Obedience

Genesis 32: 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.’ ”

 

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Being obedient to GOD, Jacob returned to the land of Isaac and Rebekah. He fled from Laban with wealth given to him by GOD. But now he was headed back home where he had to face Esau, the one he originally stole things from. He prayed with anguish.

 

My Observations:

• Jacob feared for his life so his prayer was as sincere as he could make it.
• Jacob hit rock bottom and realized that it was him who caused the problems he was in.
• Jacob realized he was not worthy of receiving GOD’s mercy, so he reminded GOD of HIS promise.

 

GOD had already told Jacob that HE was going to bless him and make him the father of many nations. This would require he and his children to remain alive. But Jacob had been slick all his life and could only see the mess he was in.

 

He reminded GOD of the promise. It’s not like GOD needed a reminder or that GOD needed to be informed of the situation. GOD knew. But this was the first time Jacob was obedient in facing problems he created. He was terrified, but obedient. All he could do was pray and rely on GOD’s protection.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD told Moses this prayer?
• Have you ever decided to follow GOD no matter what the consequences are?
• Is it difficult to leave old ways and to turn to the LORD even if it means facing consequences?

Goodwill Departure

Goodwill Departure

Genesis 31: 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.

 

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Laban finalized the covenant by setting boundaries. If either party wanted to do harm to the other, the heap of stones was placed there to remember not to cross into the territory with ill will.

 

My Observations:

• Laban took an oath that he would no longer pursue Jacob and his family to harm them.
• Laban worshipped ancestors, so he mentioned GOD in the context of Nahor and Abraham and Terah.
• Jacob mentioned his father Isaac as he swore to not harm Laban.

 

GOD intervened and the two adversaries departed with goodwill. Jacob would leave with all of Laban’s wealth without having to look over his shoulder, wondering when Laban was going to strike a deadly blow to him.

 

For twenty years, Laban had benefitted from Jacob’s labor. He changed Jacob’s wages ten times, probably to benefit himself. GOD was changing Jacob during the twenty years. Jacob began giving up his deceitful ways, to serve the GOD of his father. Laban and Jacob departed on good terms.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD told Moses about the covenant between Laban and Jacob?
• Have you ever been angry to the point where you could harm someone?
• If you are angry, are you willing to give it over to GOD so HE can give you peace?

Because I was Afraid

Because I was Afraid

Genesis 31: 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?”

 

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.

 

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After GOD spoke to Jacob, telling him to leave and go back to Isaac and Rebekah’s land, Jacob “stole away”, leaving Laban. Jacob had great wealth because GOD orchestrated the complex deal Laban tried to manipulate. Laban promised to give Jacob all the animals that had spots, then streaks, then blemishes. But each change, GOD would allow the animals to breed in what was said. Laban confronted Jacob about his gods.

 

My Observations:

• Jacob finally told the truth about being afraid.
• Jacob could not deceive his way out of the situation, so he finally had to tell the truth.
• Jacob did not know about Rachel stealing the household gods, so he allowed Laban the right to kill anyone who had them.

 

GOD spoke to Laban, protecting Jacob from harm. Laban was probably going to kill Jacob and try to justify his action. BUT GOD intervened. Laban, knowing what happened to Sodom, was afraid to kill Jacob or take his stuff.

 

Jacob, on the other hand, finally started to tell the truth. “Because I was afraid” was the best answer he could give for leaving without telling Laban. This is a great lesson for you and me. He admitted to being afraid without accusing Laban, at least not yet. He was not shrewd, but honest.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD told Moses about the conversation between Jacob and Laban?
• Have you ever been afraid of something, causing you to finally tell the truth?
• Is GOD putting you in a situation where you finally have to tell the truth?

 

Hot Pursuit

Hot Pursuit

Genesis 31: 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.

 

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Laban lived in Haran. This was Sarah’s home where Abraham met and married her. Laban was the son of Nahor and Milkah. He heard stories about GOD destroying Sodom. When he was told about Jacob fleeing from him, he realized it would take days to catch him. But he was met by GOD.

 

My Observations:

• Laban was furious and probably wanted to kill Jacob.
• GOD warned Laban not to speak good or bad about Jacob.
• Laban was probably cautious about his approach with Jacob.

 

It took a week for Laban and his crew to catch Jacob in the mountains of Gilead. He set up camp near Jacob, heeding GOD’s warning. He knew that if he were to bring any harm to Jacob, he would face GOD’s wrath.

 

Laban had to calm down enough to be able to talk versus act. His first inclination was probably to kill everyone and take back all his stuff. But he realized that GOD had a different plan. He may not have ever heard from GOD directly. His encounter would be memorable.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD give details to Moses about Laban’s pursuit?
• Have you ever gotten angry and started to act before thinking?
• In times of anger, are you willing to slow down before acting or saying anything so GOD can diffuse the situation>?