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Judah’s Sins

The Book of Genesis now takes another turn and reveals the life choices of Judah. It covers some period of time, yet reveals some important Truth lessons we all need to learn. It’s far less painful and damaging to learn from someone else’s mistakes than it is to learn from your own. Yet most of us are too stubborn and prideful to heed the lessons God clearly shows us. Again, keep in mind the figures of speech mentioned earlier as we study the life of Judah. SIMILE: Resemblance; ALLEGORY: comparison by representation; METAPHOR: Representation; HYPOCATASTASIS: An implied resemblance or representation; TYPE: A figure or example of something future; ANALOGY: Resemblance in some particulars between things otherwise unlike. We will discover hidden prophesies and Truths that are carried far into the future, some even beyond our day and age.

38:1

By this term “withdrew” means that Judah leaves the family unit and goes out on his own. It may be that he had become acquainted with and made friends with the Adullamite named Hirah, and decided to live with him. These Adullamites are also Canaanites. Perhaps too, he felt guilty about selling Joseph; and couldn’t bear to see the grief and sorrow he had caused his father, Jacob.

38:2

While living in the area of Adullum, which was located about 15 miles Northwest of Hebron, Judah sees an attractive woman, who is the daughter of a Canaanite named Shuah. Judah takes her as a wife and lives with her. Some translations just state that he just ‘treats’ her as a wife, meaning he may have considered her a concubine. Usually, if there is no ‘first’ wife, than the relationship would have been considered husband and wife. We see no mention of Shuah giving her to Judah as a wife. Keep in mind the Canaanite’s were not morally sound in their relationships with one another; so the father may not have cared about his daughter. Also keep in mind that the Israelites were NOT to intermarry with the Canaanite people; so Judah is ignoring the command from God.

38:3-5

Judah’s wife becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son, whom Judah names Er. Notice that we are not even given the name of Judah’s wife, another indication of the lack of respect or caring for the Canaanite women. (4.) Judah’s wife again becomes pregnant and has yet another son, and names him Onan. It appears that the wife may have named him, rather than Judah selecting the name. (5.) She becomes pregnant again and bares Judah the third son and named him Shelah. They are now living in Chezib, indicating that the birth of this son may have been quite some time after the birth of the second son. Also, keep in mind that the records often omitted the births and names of daughters, as daughters were considered less important and valuable than sons; so she may have born Judah daughters also.

38:6

Now Judah selects a wife for his firstborn son, Er; whose name was Tamar. By this action we know some time has passed since he was born. Notice that Judah is taking responsibility for selecting a suitable and good wife for his firstborn son, always considered to be the primary heir of the father. This selection of a suitable wife was a responsibility of the father that was passed down from Abraham’s time.

38:7

However, Er is not only not a nice person, but he is downright wicked in God’s sight. We are told because of this wickedness, the Lord slew him. Obviously his death was clearly the act of God, as the Bible records this fact.

38:8

Judah continues to act responsibly for his family by telling his second son, Onan, that he must marry Er’s widow and raise up offspring in the name of his deceased brother. It was the custom of the ‘Levirate law of Marriage’, that the second son was obligated to take care of the widow of the deceased brother by marrying her and designate that the children the brother fathered actually ‘belonged’ to the deceased brother, the firstborn. The Levirate Marriage is from the Latin word Levir, meaning husband’s brother. It was formally made a law in the Torah in Deut. 25:5-10. We also are familiar of the Goel, the Kinsman-Redeemer, meaning the closest male relative was to marry and care for the widow of the deceased brother, or relative. The offspring would remain in the line of the firstborn, being ‘redeemed’. See Ruth 1-4 and the Ultimate Redemption in Revelation 5. It was a way of taking care of the widow and keeping the inheritance for the ‘firstborn’s’ redeemed children. Our Kinsman Redeemer is Jesus Christ, who ‘redeems’ us into His Father’s inheritance, as God’s own children.

38:9-10

Onan knows that the children born of Tamar would not be considered his, but would be considered his deceased brother’s children. Onan wants the sexual gratification of using Tamar, but doesn’t want the responsibility of taking care of children that would not be considered his own. So he repeatedly spills his seed on the ground so Tamar could not become pregnant. (10.) Onan should have learned from his brother’s death, that wicked actions would anger God and could result in his death also. Yet, he wickedly uses Tamar for his own pleasure, yet denies her the possibility of having children. God knows our intent and heart attitude and judges us for ALL sin. Onan is also then slain by the Lord.

38:11

After this last death of yet another of his sons, Judah is obviously shaken. He now only has one son left to continue the lineage of his family. Certainly, he must now know the pain, sorrow and loss his own father has felt regarding Joseph. Judah then tells Tamar to remain a widow, but to go live back to her father’s house until Shelah is grown up enough to marry her. We are told he is concerned that Shelah would also die after marrying Tamar. Tamar has no place to go except back to her father’s house in shame. She may not marry anyone else because she ‘belongs’ to the family of Judah. She must also continually wear the ‘widow’s garments’. What a miserable position to be in.

38:12

This term ‘process of time’ means that some time has passed. Judah’s wife then dies. After Judah mourns the death of his wife; he goes up to sheep shearers at Timnath with his old friend Hirah the Adullamite. This sheep shearer season occurred near the end of March and was a time of sumptuous entertainments and celebrating. The wealthiest masters invited their friends and often even treated their servants to this partying; which included much drinking and ‘hilarity’.

38:13

Someone, probably more than one person, tells Tamar that her father-in-law, Judah, is going up to Timnath for the sheep shearing of his sheep and the big celebration. This would mean that he would pass right by where Tamar has been forced to live and remain.

38:14

Tamar takes off the widow’s garments she is forced to wear, and covers her face with a heavy veil that hides her identity, and puts on a disguise, ‘wrapping herself’ (this may mean wearing tight, revealing clothing) and sits at the entrance of Enaim, which is the route to Timnath. She is waiting for Judah to pass by with his entourage. She knows that Shelah is now more than old enough to marry her, yet she is left in the position of being forced to remain a widow and wear widow’s garments, and be left with no possibility of ever marrying or having a family. The Bible doesn’t say she is angry, but we can imagine she is furious, frustrated and humiliated.

38:15-17

Judah sees Tamar, not knowing who she is; and thinks she is a harlot (kedeshot). Obviously Tamar had dolled herself up to be as attractive as possible to get Judah’s attention. The Canaanite idolatry includes ‘religious prostitutes’ (kedeshot), which were paid for their ‘services’ as part of idolatry. (16. – 17.) Judah is attracted to Tamar and goes over to her and asks her to let him engage in intercourse with her. He did not know that she was his daughter-in-law. Tamar asks Judah what he will offer her for her ‘services’. Judah offers her a kid from his flock. She requests a deposit, or pledge, of something valuable to ensure he will pay her.

38:18-19

Judah asks what pledge, or deposit, does she require? Tamar asks for his signet, seal and signet cord, and his staff, also which has his family signet, or seal, on it. He agrees and gives them all to her, and then has intercourse with Tamar. She then becomes pregnant by Judah. Tamar then takes off the veil and disguise and put’s her widow’s garments back on and goes back to her father’s house.

38:20-23

Judah sends the kid back with his friend to the place where Tamar was, to retrieve his seal, signet cord and staff with his family seal and signet on it. The friend searches but cannot find the harlot, or kedeshot, even after asking all the men in the area of her whereabouts. All the men say there is no harlot or temple prostitutes anywhere around this area, nor has there ever been one around here.
(22.) Judah’s friend returns to Judah and tells him that he could not find her and that all the men of the area insisted there was never any harlots or temple prostitutes in their area. (23.) Judah, who is probably confused by all this, says that she can keep the pledge articles for herself; as he had sent the kid as he promised, but she could not be found. He was only concerned about being ‘shamed.’

38:24

Three months pass and Judah is informed that Tamar, his daughter-in-law, has played the harlot and is with child by her lewdness. How would anyone know she is pregnant at three months? She certainly would not have been ‘showing’. Judah demands that they bring her out to be burned to death for committing adultery. The crime of adultery was often punished by burning. (Leviticus 21:9, Judges 15:6; Jeremiah 29:22)

38:25

When Tamar is brought out to be burned to death, she sends the pledge items, the cord, signet seal and Judah’s staff, to him with a message that she is pregnant by the man to whom the articles belong. She asks that they verify the identify of the man by the cord, signet seal and staff.

38:26

Judah finally confesses that the cord, signet seal and staff all identify himself and that he is the man who impregnated Tamar. By this proof of paternity, Tamar had won the right to be the mother of Judah’s children, even though it was done in a deceitful way. Had Judah not admitted those items were his, or denied he was the father, Tamar would have been burned to death. This would have been difficult, as Judah’s friend knew of the pledge items. Possibly, many of the friends knew of the pledge items also because Judah didn’t have his seal anymore, nor his identity staff! Judah admitted that Tamar was more righteous than he was, because he had withheld giving his son, Shelah, to Tamar. Despite the fact that Tamar was pregnant with his child, Judah chose not to ever again have relations with her. Tamar was so desperate she had risked a terrible death in order to be able to have a child from the lineage of Judah. Until this time, Tamar had obediently waited to be restored to the family of Judah, and be given the opportunity of having a child in the lineage of Judah. Tamar, a Gentile, is one of the few women who appear in the lineage of the Messianic family tree; despite her deception.

38:27-30

When Tamar gave birth, it was discovered that she was to have twins! The midwife saw a hand come out first, and she tied a scarlet thread on it saying, ‘this baby is the firstborn.’ Yet the child drew back his hand and his brother was actually born first. The midwife was surprised and said ‘this one has broken forth first’; and his name was called Perez, meaning breaking forth. (Matthew 1:3) The second son was then born and was named Zerah, which means scarlet.

Again, we see disobedience to God’s commands, lies and deceit, all causing heartache and heartbreak. Yet, God caused Tamar to have twins so that the line of Judah continued because of her. The prophecy of Jacob ruling over his older brother seems to be relived in the line of Judah. Remember that Judah sold his younger brother Joseph, thinking he could thwart God’s design revealed through Joseph’s dreams. Yet in Judah’s own family, despite his attempts to hinder Tamar’s marriage and possibility of having children; God’s will worked out in a powerful confirmation of the principle that the ‘elder would serve the younger’. Once again, God is teaching us to obey His commands; and avoid lies and deceit; all for our own eternal good.

Joseph’s Dreams

The Book of Genesis now takes a dramatic turn. It begins to focus on the life and exploits of the Favored son, Joseph. Joseph was the first born son of Jacob’s favored wife, Rachel, who had died on the way to Bethlehem. Remember the figures of speech mentioned earlier in our study to help you as we study the life of Joseph. SIMILE: Resemblance; ALLEGORY: comparison by representation; METAPHOR: Representation; HYPOCATASTASIS: An implied resemblance or representation; TYPE: A figure or example of something future; ANALOGY: Resemblance in some particulars between things otherwise unlike. We will discover many similarities to the life of Jesus, so be on the look out for them.

37:1

This appears to be a summary of Jacob’s time in the land of Canaan; and the reference that it was the land of his father, yet both were considered strangers and sojourners, or ‘pilgrims’ in the land. It was NOT their permanent home. We too, are ‘strangers’ and ‘pilgrims’ in a ‘foreign’ land, as this is NOT our permanent home, either. Heaven is our longed for permanent homeland!

37:2

This begins the history, or genealogy, of Jacob, a.k.a. Israel. Although we are told we are being given a history, immediately the narrative focuses on Joseph, at the age of 17. It appears that Joseph has been given the position of ‘overseeing’ the work of his older brothers, the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah; as they shepherd the flocks of Jacob. His job required that he bring an accurate and honest report of the work being done. We are told that his report regarding their service indicates their work, and perhaps their actions, are not up to good standards. The youngest son, Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, is too young to be in the fields, and is no doubt at home with his father.

37:3

Israel loved Joseph more than all his 12 sons; so much so, that he had a special coat made for him which was made of many colors. It may have been sown together with different fabrics; or may have been dyed by artisans who made coats for dignitaries, or royalty; in any case, it indicated that Joseph was favored and in a position of authority.

37:4

Jealousy is the response by the brothers as they see the special treatment that Joseph received from their father; and that he is obviously the favored son above them all. They hate him so much, they cannot even speak ‘peaceably’ to him.

37:5

Now Joseph dreams a dream that is so vivid and powerful that Joseph believes it is a prophecy from God and wants to share it with someone, and tells it to his brothers. As he tells them of the dream, they hate him even more intensely. When we have a powerful, dramatic dream, that may be a Dream from God, it would be wise to pray and ponder it’s meaning for us and our future; and ask for God’s guidance and direction before sharing it with anyone. Especially those who are not pleased with us, or have our best interests at heart.

37:6-7

Joseph tells them his dream: He asks them to hear his dream, and then begins with BEHOLD, indicating that this is something very important and special. As he describes the dream he tells them they are working together in the field binding sheafs, and his sheaf rises up above the others, and his brother’s sheafs come around him and bow down to his sheaf.

37:8

They immediately recognize that this dream means Joseph is stating that he will Rule over them, and have power and dominion over them. Not what they want to hear at all! Surely, Joseph should have realized that they would NOT favor this dream, and certainly not like it’s implications. Yet, a 17 year old teenager doesn’t always make the best decisions. All of us can relate to that! The result is their hatred is increased in vengeance.

37:9-10

Now Joseph dreams another dream, and again he tells it to his brothers, saying “Behold, I have dreamed yet another dream, and this time not only the eleven stars, but the sun and the moon also bowed down and did reverence to me! We see here a Pride problem, as Joseph realizes that the dream means he will have a place of importance, and he wants everyone to know about it. Bad idea. Joseph also tells his father and all his brothers of this new dream. His father, Jacob, rebukes him and says what is the meaning of this dream; shall I and your mother and all your brothers actually come and bow down to the earth and do homage to you?!

37:11

Joseph’s brothers envied him and were jealous of him. Yet, his father thought deeply about the dream and pondered its meaning. Keep in mind that Jacob had vivid dreams from God regarding his future and the future of his people; so he was no doubt trying to discern the meaning of these dreams that seem to mean that Joseph would be elevated far above his brothers, and even above Jacob. The fact that he mentions his mother means that the dream could have eternal significance, since his mother had already died. Joseph at this time was still young, and already knew he was the favored son, so the additional pride he felt by having these prophetic dreams that indicated he would have great authority over all of them resulted in a serious pride problem. Ever been ‘favored’ over others? Can you relate to the ‘Pride’ problem? How should we handle that Pride? Remember, it is a SIN!

37:12-14

Joseph’s brothers leave the Hebron valley and go to feed and care for their father’s flocks near Schechem. Some time goes by, maybe just a few weeks; then Israel tells Joseph to go to Schechem to see how they are doing with the flock. It would appear that Israel does not really trust his sons to properly look after the flock, or perhaps he is concerned about what else they may be doing, in any case, he asks Joseph to see if everything is all right with his brothers and the flocks, and then to report back to him. Joseph willingly agrees to go to Shechem and do as his father commands him. The trip from Hebron going north to Schechem is about 50 miles.

37:15-17

A certain man finds Joseph wandering in a field, and asks him what he is seeking? It appears that Joseph might be just a bit of a day dreamer, as he was ‘wandering’. Joseph immediately tells the man he is seeking his brothers, and could he tell him where they are feeding their flocks? The man tells Joseph that he overheard them say “Let us go to Dothan” and that they had departed from the area and gone to Dothan. So Joseph goes after his brothers and finds them in Dothan. Dothan is another 15 miles to the north.

37:18-20

Now the brothers see Joseph coming toward them from a long way away, probably because of the colorful coat he is wearing. In any case they conspired together to kill him. They call him ‘this dreamer’ They are so angry over his Dreams that they say: “Let’s kill him and throw him into some pit, and we can say an evil beast has devoured him.” Then we will see what becomes of his high and mighty Dreams!

37:21-22

Reuben comes back into the camp about this time and hears what they are planning and says “No, let’s not shed his blood, but instead just throw him into this pit in the wilderness, but do not kill him.” Reuben tells them that to keep them from killing Joseph. Then Reuben planned to rescue him from the pit and return him to his father.

37:23-25

As Joseph shows up at their camp he is no doubt tired, thirsty and hungry after his long trek from Hebron. It was probably a two day journey. The brothers immediately stripped Joseph of his coat of many colors and take him and throw him into the pit, which has no water in it. Then they casually sit down to eat dinner! As they are eating, they look up and see a Caravan of Ishmeelites coming from Gilead, with spicery, balm and myrrh, on their way to Egypt.

37:26-28

Then Judah comes up with a plan, telling his brothers, what good is it to kill our brother, and then have to conceal his blood? Instead let’s just sell him and make a profit, then his’ blood’ will not be on our hands. All the brothers with him agreed to the plan. So as the Midianite merchantmen come by, they bring Joseph up out of the pit and sell him for 20 pieces of silver. The Midianites then bring Joseph with them to Egypt.

37:29-30

Reuben was not with the brothers when this evil plot was implemented. When he returned to the pit to sneak Joseph out, he was gone! Reuben was so distressed, that he tore his clothes, and returned to the other brothers, and said “where can I go, the lad is gone, and I am responsible for him!” Because Reuben was the oldest son, he was the one Jacob would hold accountable for the missing Joseph.

37:31-32

The brothers take Joseph’s famous coat and kill a kid goat and soak it in the blood. Then they send the coat to their father with the message that they had ‘found it’ and wanted to know if it was ‘your son’s tunic?’ What a cruel and heartless way to lie to their father, insinuating that his beloved son was attacked and eaten by a wild animal!

37:33-34

Jacob immediately recognizes the famous coat of many colors, and identifies it as Joseph’s coat, with the certain assumption that Joseph was torn to pieces by an evil wild beast and eaten! Jacob tears his clothing, puts on sackcloth and mourns and cries in terrible grief and sorrow for his beloved son, Joseph.

37:35

All his sons and daughters try to console him, but Jacob cannot be comforted and tells them he will go down to Sheol, the place of the dead, mourning for his son. Israel mourns and weeps day after day for his son, Joseph. No one can console him; he just wants to die and go and be with his son Joseph! When we tell a lie to ‘get even’ with someone, or to try to get an advantage over another, we often fail to realize the terrible damage and hurt that lie can do to others. Often people never realize the terrible pain and damage they can cause by lies. Seek to always speak the Truth in love.

37:36

As Jacob is grieving and weeping for his son, Joseph is taken to Egypt and sold to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. Potiphar is the captain and chief executioner of the Royal Guard. What a sad and sorrowful situation. Yet, even in times of great troubles, God IS at work.

Esau’s Genealogy

36:1-4

We are given an important piece of information that Esau is also known as Edom. In later times we are told of the Edomites; these are peoples who are descended from Esau. Keep in mind that at the time of Jesus’ life on Earth, the scriptures tells us that King Herod was an Edomite. (2. – 4.) These verses list the names of Esau’s wives and the sons born to Esau in the land of Canaan. Notice that all Esau’s sons were born in the land of Canaan; whereas all of Israel’s sons were born outside the land of Canaan, except Benjamin. Yet, all of Israel’s sons came with him into the promised land of Canaan, out of the pagan land.

36:5-7

Esau takes his wives, sons, daughters all the members of his household, along with all his livestock and possessions ( he was now very wealthy) and moves away from his brother Jacob. We are told the land could not sustain all the peoples and herds. So, since Jacob’s tribe was much stronger and his influence more powerful than Esau; evidently Esau decided he would move away from Jacob and his clan. Now we see that Esau, and his sons, do just the opposite of what Israel and his sons had done. They went from the land of Canaan (the Promised Land) into the pagan lands. Just because we are born in a Christian family does NOT mean we ARE Christians. Some of us were born and raised in families that were not really Christian, yet we have chosen to follow God’s Words of Truth and become followers of Christ. By following God’s Truth and being obedient to His Word, we know we are now in His spiritual ‘Promised Land’; the condition of being a child of the Living God, Creator of the Universe.

This move into the land of Seir would also fulfill the prophesy from Isaac that Esau would ‘shake’ or remove the ‘yoke’ of his brother from his ‘neck’. Genesis 27:39-40. It is amazing how God clearly shows that His Word will be fulfilled. In this instance it happened within their lifetimes.

36:8

Again we are told that Esau, and his entire clan, dwells in the hill country of Seir, and that Esau is Edom. This information may not seem important to us, but it was very important to the Israelites as Edomites continued to be hostile to Israelites throughout hundred of years, down through Old Testament times.

36:9-14

The Genealogy and history of Esau and his descendants continues with the names of each son, their wives, a concubine, and their sons, and descendants. This Genealogy was no doubt given to Israel to keep for posterity as Esau knew his brother was the one chosen by God. Notice that verse 12, The mention of Timna, the concubine, gives us the beginning of the Amalekites.

36:15-19

Now the Chiefs, or Dukes, of the sons of Esau are listed with their descendants. Keep in mind that all the Arab tribes came from Abraham; some through Hagar, the Egyptian, and some through Keturah, the last wife of Abraham, whom he married after Sarah’s death. Esau had children from both lineages, and there was intermarriage between the tribes.

36:20-28

Now we are also given the lineage of Seir, the Horite, who inhabited the land when Esau entered it. Presumably all this information was given to Israel by Esau.

36:29-30

This next group of “Dukes” were from the Horite clan.

36:31-39

Suddenly we are told of a list of kings that reigned in the land of Edom; before there were any kings over the children of Israel. It is unclear what the relation to Esau was of these kings. They probably chose a king from their own tribe to rule over the growing population. It is also unclear if this lineage of kings extended beyond the time of Esau. Some of the kings are given with the land area, or city, they ruled over. Sometimes we are told a king ‘smote’ or killed, the prior king to usurp his position. It was obviously not a peaceful kingdom. This book of Genesis was most likely compiled by Moses; thus he may have inserted this bit of information regarding the kings ruling the peoples. Moses knew that someday the Israelites would have a king, although they had never had one during his lifetime.

36:40-43

We are again given a list of Dukes that came from Esau, according to their families, and the location, or place, they lived. It appears that Esau was the overlord, or head of the Dukes. Thus the promises from Isaac to Esau were fulfilled.

All these descendants from Esau are carefully listed, with even some of the wives and daughters being listed; yet we are not told that ANY of them chose to follow God. All the material wealth and power on earth is worthless if the people do not know and follow their Creator. Do we remember this Truth in our dealings with earthly treasures, positions, family, friends, and especially God?

Vow Fulfilled at Bethel

35:1

The term “And..” seems to indicate this is a continuation of the situation Jacob and his Tribe are now in because of the revenge exacted on the inhabitants of Shechem. Although we are not told that God specifically deals with this revenge, He does tell Jacob he is to ‘rise up’ and go immediately to Bethel and live there. God reminds Jacob of his vow made more than 30+ years ago, to make an altar to God; the God who appeared to him when he fled from Esau on his way to Haran so long ago.

35:2

Jacob knows he has not kept his promises to God, and has also allowed his household and Tribe to compromise the godly values he was supposed to keep, and teach, all his family. Perhaps he realizes that IF he had kept his promise to God and returned to Bethel years ago, the terrible rape of Dinah would not have occurred, nor the revenge killing of the men of Schechem. He now does what he should have done when they left Haran in Syria; removed all the gold idols and pagan symbols from all the people with him. The purification and cleansing; as well as putting on clean garments, was a physical and spiritual way of becoming cleansed from their pagan ideas and actions. Often Christians want to keep some of their former ideas and habits that are not godly. We must take stock of all our beliefs and actions and cleanse ourselves of anything that is not good and holy. A bit of selfishness, a ‘lucky charm’, anything, or any kind of belief, that is contrary to the Truth of God’s Word, must be ‘cleansed’ and removed from our lives. Is there something you are holding on to that would be displeasing to God?

35:3

Jacob makes it clear that only after they have willingly given up all their false idols, gold earrings (symbolizing their attachment to paganism) and of course the ‘spoils of Shechem,’ could they leave and go on to Bethel. Before we can grow and progress in our spiritual walk with God, we must willingly cleanse ourselves from the false worldly beliefs of success and accumulating material wealth that we cling to. True success in life is knowing God’s Word and obeying it.

35:4

Notice that ALL the people willingly give up all the idols and things that represented their past pagan lives; even the gold earrings in their ears that marked them as pagans. Jacob buries them under a large tree near the area of Shechem. This burying of the idols and trappings of their ties to paganism is a major step in the people being willing to give up their ties to paganism.

35:5

Again we see the word “And..” as a continuation of the process of leaving Shechem. Remember, Jacob, and the entire tribe, knew their lives were in serious danger from reprisal from all the peoples around the area of Shechem for the vengeance killing of all the men of the city. Yet God causes a dreadful “Terror” and fear, to fall on all the people of all the cities of that land, so that they did not pursue them and try to kill all of them. Notice that God’s protection and provision came AFTER they willingly gave up their pagan idols and turned away from their former pagan lives. Do we ever ask for God’s protection and provision, yet refuse to turn away from some sinful practice or thoughts? Sometimes the reason God does not give us His protection and provision is because of our own refusal to obey Him, by obeying His Word.

35:6-7

Thanks to God’s merciful grace and protection, Jacob and his entire tribe make it safely to Bethel, also known as Luz, in the land of Canaan. Jacob immediately builds the altar he had promised he would build when he left the land of Canaan over 30 years ago. Jacob calls the place El-beth-el; because God appeared to him when he feared for his life and was fleeing from his brother, Esau. No doubt the entire tribe participated in this worship of God at Bethel.

35:8

“But..” Remember when we see this word it is a clue that some important piece of information is being given to us. We are told that Deborah, who had been Rebekah’s nurse when she left Haran (Padan-aram) to marry Isaac, now dies. She would have been at least 150 years old, or older, by this time. Yet, we know that she would have taken care of Rebekah right up to her death. Notice that we are not told of Rebekah’s death. The name of the burial place was Allon-Bachuth, which means the “Oak of Weeping”. Since Jacob was Rebekah’s favorite son, she must already have been dead, or Jacob would have certainly returned to see his beloved mother. Jacob no doubt had talked with Deborah about his mother regarding her final days. This omission of the mention of Rebekah’s actual death is very interesting. Remember that Rebekah was a Simile, or Type, of the ‘Bride of Christ.” This omission of mentioning Rebekah’s death, is a type or kind of HYPOCATASTASIS, a similarity, or reminder of the future “Bride of Christ” not dying, yet being ‘caught up’ to be with Jesus in Heaven. This future event we refer to as the “Rapture”.

35:9

God again appears to Jacob and blesses him, WHEN he came out of Padan-aram. We are probably thinking, “but he already came out of Padan-aram, a.k.a. Haran, 12 or more years ago!” That is True, Jacob and his Tribe had physically left Haran some time ago, but they had NOT left all their idols and pagan beliefs behind in Haran, they had taken many of them physically and mentally with them. Only after God had again told Jacob to ‘rise up’ and return to Bethel, did Jacob clearly tell his entire household and Tribe that they must ALL give up all their idols and pagan beliefs, and cleanse themselves, and put on new garments. The putting on of new garments would be a change of attitudes and belief systems, to choose to follow the One True God. This process of leaving behind the evil, selfishness of the world and turning to follow Jesus with all our heart, soul and mind, is a PROCESS. Very few people completely change their mind, heart and soul instantly to faithfully follow Jesus. This Process of becoming more and more like Jesus in our minds, hearts and souls, is called SANCTIFICATION. It is a lifelong process! How are you progressing in your SANCTIFICATION?

35:10

Now God again tells Jacob his name shall be changed to Israel. The word “ISRAEL” has a number of meanings; which have been interpreted differently over the years. It can mean “He who strives with God” as Jacob had done when he first returned to Canaan. It also means “May God show his strength”, it means “contend”, “persevere”, “rule”, “be upright”, “happy, blessed” and lastly it refers to the “People of God”. The nation or people of Israel is mentioned in secular records in Egypt, Canaan, Syria and other countries in the regions of the Mideast. Today, we know ISRAEL as a country; yet we also know the ISRAELITES were to be the People of God. We know from Exodus on that they were to be the People of the One True God; and they were to bring the knowledge of Him to all unbelievers. That calling, of bringing the knowledge of the One True God and His Salvation, is now our calling and privilege as Believers. God clearly tells Jacob that his name will no longer be Jacob, but now he shall be called and identified as Israel. God immediately addresses him as Israel.

35:11-13

God continues to speak His Word of Truth and Prophecy over Jacob, now Israel, by asserting clearly that He is God Almighty and Jacob (Israel) is to be fruitful and multiply; both nations and Kings will come from out of him. This is a restating and reconfirmation of the earlier promises and prophecies, with the addition of the Kings, meaning a Royal Line, now also coming from Jacob/Israel. Notice that the promises are reconfirmed regarding the land which God gave to Abraham, and his descendants; is now to be given to Israel and his descendants. The Bible tells us that God went ‘up from him’ from where He had been talking with him. This would indicate that God appeared as a Personage, or Theophany of Jesus, as He had appeared before to Jacob, now Israel.

35:14-15

It is interesting that the Bible still refers to Jacob by his old name, rather than his new name of Israel. When God gives us His Holy Spirit in Salvation, we usually still operate with our old nature, even though we are now a Child of God. It takes time, prayer, Bible Study, Perseverance, Commitment and OBEDIENCE to God’s Word, to change our old evil nature; and our attitudes and character, slowly into the person God meant us to be. We will see that Jacob is no different then we are; that is shown by the name Jacob and Israel both being used to identify him. When he is called Israel, we probably can assume he is being obedient to God. Yet we see that he sets up another pillar to honor God in the place He had spoken to him. He also pours a drink offering and oil on the stone. This is similar to what he had done when God first spoke to him at Bethel. Israel reaffirms the name of the place as Bethel.

35:16-18

The Tribe is traveling from Bethel to Ephrath, which is latter named Bethlehem, when Rachel goes into hard labor. Her son is born, but the labor is so difficult and hard that Rachael is dying. With her last dying breath she names her son Ben-oni, which means “the son of my sorrow”. Yet Jacob names him Benjamin, which means “the son of the right hand”. Benjamin is the one and only son actually born in the promised land of Canaan; all the others were born in Haran.

35:19-21

Rachel dies and is buried in the way to Ephrath. Jacob sets a pillar upon her grave to honor his beloved wife, Rachel. Then Israel travels on and sets up his camp near Bethlehem. Notice the change in identification of Jacob/Israel.

35:22

‘And it came to pass’ indicates that some time has passed. Reuben tries to take control, as the oldest son, before it is time. He uses a very pagan practice of taking his father’s concubine and laying with her. This violates moral standards as well as insults his father and dishonors God. Because of this foolish act, he will be removed as the rightful heir as the first born son. We are reminded that Israel now has twelve sons.

25:23-26

The genealogy of Israel’s sons is given by listing the sons of each mother and their respective relationship to Jacob (Israel). Notice that they are listed in their birth order from their mother. Thus, although Benjamin is the youngest, he is listed before the sons of the handmaids.

35:27-29

Jacob comes home to Isaac to the city of Arbah in Hebron. Isaac is 175 years old and dies and is ‘gathered to his people’ meaning he dies in faith. Both Esau and Jacob bury their father together. This would indicate they are now both living in the same area and still are reconciled.

Notice that Obedience delayed is dis-obedience; this usually results in failure, suffering and sorrow of some kind. To increase in SANCTIFICATION means we MUST strive for Obedience in all we do. Otherwise we are setting ourselves up for failure, pain and sorrow. Remember, every choice counts.

Dinah ‘Avenged’

34:1

Dinah would have been in her teens by this time. Jacob and his family would have lived in Succoth and Shechem almost ten years. Dinah’s older brothers would also have been in their 20’s by this time. Keep in mind that Dinah went out to visit and meet the other girls of the land. Yet she went ‘unattended’, meaning without anyone else with her. This was a risky thing to do in a foreign land with so much violence and immorality.

34:2-3

The language is too polite in the translation. Shechem forced himself on Dinah and raped her. The speaking ‘kindly’ to Dinah, meant he was trying to convince her to stay with him. Yet rape is always an act of violence. Dinah was no doubt shamed, hurt, traumatized and grief stricken over the rape. In their culture, Dinah, being debased in this horrible way, now had no chance of ever being considered to be worthy of a valid marriage. Marriage was the hope of every young woman for a meaningful life. Not to be able to ever marry was a horrible situation for Dinah. What an important lesson for us; we should never deliberately or carelessly allow ourselves to be in an area, or situation, where our morality, or even our lives, might be in jeopardy. After studying this lesson carefully, we are now locking our doors when we leave our home. Consider any area of your life that might be ‘at risk’ of being compromised or attacked by those who are evil. God protects us, yet we must do our part to stay safe.

34:3-5

Shechem actually demanded that his father, Hamor, do whatever was necessary to get ‘this damsel’ for him as his wife. Notice that he does not even do her the honor of using her name. (5.). Jacob “heard”, meant that Dinah had no doubt come back home crying and wailing, telling her family that she had been attacked, raped and defiled. Jacob does nothing, but holds his peace, waiting for his sons, Dinah’s brothers, to come in from the field.

34:6-7

Hamor now comes to Jacob to talk with him regarding obtaining Dinah for his son. It appears that about the same time, Dinah’s brothers come in from working in the fields and they are told of the atrocity done to their sister. They were very distressed, grieved and very angry about what Schechem had done to their beloved sister, Dinah. This was a vile thing that was done, not just to Dinah, but was an insult and hurt to the entire tribe of Israel, violating their deeply held moral beliefs. Purity on the part of the woman was crucial to her very identity!

34:8

Hamor brazenly asks that the brothers, and presumably Jacob, allow him to take Dinah back with him for a wife for Shechem. We are not told that Jacob says anything! As the head of the family, he should be the one dealing with Hamor. It could be that Jacob suddenly realizes his mistake in settling so close to these immoral pagans and realizes he has put all of them in danger. He is probably grieved and terribly distressed over the horrible defilement of his dear daughter. Yet he needs to take a strong lead in the discussions, yet he appears to be silent.

34:9-12

Now Hamor becomes even more bold and brazen in suggesting that they intermarry with one another. This is totally unacceptable! They know that the people of the land are wicked, immoral idol worshipers, and they are NEVER to become involved with them! Hamor tries to convince them that they can make money and become wealthy by living among them in the land. Now Shechem boldly states that he will give or do anything to obtain their sister.

34:13-17

No doubt the brothers conferred among themselves before responding to Hamor and Shechem. Whatever the reasons, we are not told that Jacob says or does anything regarding the negotiations. Instead of taking the lead, he seems to have abdicated his responsibility as Dinah’s father to her hot-headed, angry brothers. Deceit comes into their minds. No doubt revenge is also in their minds. They tell him, Shechem, that he has defiled their sister. Then they go on to say that they cannot give their sister to one who is uncircumcised, for that is a terrible reproach to all of them. “But…” Now we see the sinister deceitful plot to exact revenge on Shechem, Hamor and his entire tribe. The brothers demand that every male be circumcised; then they claim they will give their daughters to them and take their daughters as wives; thereby becoming one people. This is a blatant lie, as they cannot intermarry with unbelievers; wicked immoral idol worshipers were to be avoided and not allowed to become part of their tribe. Now we see another “But..” If they refuse to become circumcised, then they will take Dinah and they will all leave their land.

34:18-19

Hamor and Shechem are deceived into thinking this will be an easy trade-off, as we are told their words ‘pleased’ them. They don’t have to give up any of their wealth, just agree to the circumcision for all the males in their tribe. We are told that Shechem was the ‘most honorable’ among his father’s house. So we can imagine how wicked the rest of them were if this rapist was the ‘most honorable’!

34:20-22

Hamor and Shechem then go back into their city. The phrase “At the gate” means they held a meeting with all the men of their city. Hamor and Shechem then convince all the men of their city that the Israelites are ‘peaceable’ men, and that they should allow them to live in their land, as they will then be able to obtain their daughters for wives, and we can give them our daughters. All we have to do is agree to be circumcised, just as they are circumcised. Then we can be ‘one’ people with them. The implication is ‘this is no big deal’.

34:23-24

Now their greed is revealed. They see how rich and successful these Israelites are and they want not only their beautiful healthy women, but they want their cattle, herds, wealth, and material goods. They say if we agree to join up with them, then all this wealth will be ours! All the men agree with Hamor and Shechem; and all of them come out of the meeting and are circumcised.

34:25-26

On the third day, when the pain of the circumcision is incapacitating, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brothers, exact their revenge by taking their swords and boldly kill all the males of the city; including Hamor and Shechem, and take their sister Dinah out of Shechem’s house back to their camp.

34:27-29

Now the sons of Jacob all come back into the city ‘spoiling it’ by taking all their wealth, sheep, oxen, asses and all that was in the city. They also take all their women and children captives, as slaves.

34:30

Finally, we hear Jacob speak. He rightly tells them they have done a terrible thing, and that all the peoples of the land will hear of the massacre and spoiling of the city. All the Canaanites and Perizzites will gather together to go against Jacob and all his household and tribe. Jacob fears all of them will be destroyed by the people of the land when they hear of this vicious revenge.

34:31

Their only response, and ‘excuse’ for their actions is that he ‘deserved’ it because he treated their sister as a harlot! Revenge is NEVER good. God clearly tells us we are never to seek revenge for any evil that is done. See Leviticus 19:18, Deuteronomy 32:35, and Romans 12:19-21. We are certainly to seek TRUTH and JUSTICE, but never revenge. ‘Getting even’ is always revenge. God tells us we are not to even consider it. Why not? Only God has a ‘right’ to exact vengeance! God clearly tells us to love our enemies. See Matthew 5:38-46. This certainly does not mean that we ignore evil, nor allow people to harm us or others, but we must seek to learn to forgive, yet always seek Righteousness and Justice.

Jacob Reconciles With Esau

33:1-3

Keep in mind that this is a continuation of Chapter 32. Jacob is entering the Promised Land after his incredible encounter with the God of all Creation, which has left him with a permanent injury and pain in his thigh, causing him to limp as he walked. Immediately he sees Esau coming with his 400 men. He organizes the family units according to the mother of each of the children, putting the handmaids first, then Leah, then Rachel; all with each of their children. He lines them up in the order of importance to him, keeping his beloved Rachel and Joseph at the very back. Jacob then walks before all his family bowing himself to the ground seven consecutive times, until he comes near to his brother, Esau. He is now trusting God to protect him and his children, bravely limping before all of them, facing his brother with courage and faith.

33:4

Suddenly Esau runs to meet Jacob, hugging him tightly and kissed him. Then both men wept as they both realized each of them wanted reconciliation with the other! What a wonderful blessing and surprise, as each one realized that they had nothing to fear from the other, but rather, were accepted with love and forgiveness. Both men were obviously overjoyed at their reunion and reconciliation. Our minds are influenced by our thoughts, and when our thoughts are filled with fear, doubt and mistrust, then our expectations are filled with horrible fear and dread, expecting the worst! As we focus our minds and hearts on God, trusting Him for an outcome of good for us, then our expectations will be better aligned with God’s Will of good for us. Do we realize that 95% of our FEARS NEVER come to pass? Why? Because our God LOVES US! Just as He loved Jacob. God plans good for us: Jeremiah 29:11: FOR I KNOW THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU, DECLARES THE LORD, PLANS TO PROSPER YOU AND NOT HARM YOU, PLANS TO GIVE YOU HOPE AND A FUTURE! Remember, FEAR is FALSE EVIDENCE APPEARING REAL. Know and understand that those LIES of Evil all come from Satan! Jacob was beginning to learn and trust God for his future. How about you, are you REALLY Trusting God for your future? See Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and mind, and do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your path.” and Psalm 5:11: “Let all those who take refuge and put their trust in You rejoice; let them ever sing and shout for joy, because You make a covering over them and defend them; let those who love Your Name be joyful in You and be in good spirits.” Are you trusting God, following Him and then are joyful and in good spirits?

33:5

Now Esau looks up and sees all the women and children and asks Jacob who they all are. Jacob keeps his position of servitude and humbly shares that God had graciously given all of them to Esau’s servant. In speaking this way, he maintains his humble position with his brother, even after realizing that they both sought reconciliation.

33:6-7

No doubt at Jacobs signal, each of the family units comes forward and all respectfully bow humbly before Esau, just as they had seen Jacob do, thereby honoring him. Notice that as the leader of the family showed each of them what they all must do, they all obeyed. This was a wonderful sign that Jacob had taught his wives and children to be obedient and respectful. Jacob had instilled a godly value system into his family unit.

33:8-9

Esau again takes the lead, and asks Jacob what is meant by all the droves of animals that had proceeded Jacob’s family? Jacob says that they are a gift to Esau to find grace in his sight. Esau immediately tells Jacob he already has enough, using the word “rab” which translates much. In reality, Esau had much more than Jacob as he had defeated the Horites and conquered the land of Seir and had all Isaac had accumulated. Thus he really didn’t need anything material from Jacob. What he REALLY needed, was a spiritual connection with his estranged brother, and with God.

33:10-11

Jacob persists quite graciously by insisting that his beloved brother take the gifts if he has found grace in his sight, as just seeing Esau’s face being pleased with him, was as pleasing as if he had seen the face of God. In reality, Jacob had seen the face of God, and he realized that this loving reunion was a miracle from God. Jacob continues to urge Esau to please accept the blessing he has brought to his beloved brother. Jacob tells Esau that he has enough, using the word “kol” which means everything! After much urging, Esau agrees to take Jacob’s gifts. By accepting the gifts, Esau is confirming their covenant of reconciliation and love. In their culture, to accept a gift, meant you were obligated to keep the covenant. To refuse a gift, meant the one attempting to give the gift had everything to fear, as it was a way of rejecting the giver. Jacob knew that his resources were truly inexhaustible, as God was his source. Are you aware that your resources are inexhaustible IF God is your true source?

33:12-14

Esau again attempts to continue the lead and be in control by insisting that Jacob, and all his family and flocks, go with him back to his land of Seir. Jacob realizes that if he returns to Seir, he will be subservient to his brother from now on. So he respectfully addresses Esau as “my lord” and points out that the children are young and tender and need gentle care. In addition, the flocks and herds also have young animals and if driven too hard, even for a single day, they would die. Jacob continues to address Esau as ‘my lord’ and says that he and his family and flocks will slowly follow behind them, setting a slower pace to protect the children and animals, until they come to Seir.

33:15-16

Esau then offers to have some of his men stay behind with Jacob to assist them in making the trip to Seir. Jacob insists that there is no need for Esau to have his men stay behind. He begs Esau to find favor in his eyes for ‘Jacob’. Esau probably needs his men back in Seir; and so he agrees and then begins his journey, with all his men, back to Seir.

33:17

But.. There is that word again, giving us a clue of something different, a change, or a contradiction. In this case we are told that Jacob turns toward Succoth, which is the opposite direction of Seir. Jacob has no intention of living under Esau’s rule. Jacob knows that he cannot share the land of Seir with his brother. Jacob’s commitment to God will not allow him to compromise God’s value system with the worldly system of Esau’s life. Jacob immediately settles down, building himself and his family a home and barns and shelters for his livestock. The name Succoth, means booths, or shelters.

33:18-20

Then, after some time, Jacob moves on and arrives safely and in peace at the town of Schechem, in the land of Canaan. We are told he pitched his tents before the town and bought a piece of land from the sons of Hamor, for a hundred pieces of money. However, we are told that Jacob first built an altar, presumably to honor, praise and thank God for his protection, guidance, direction, wisdom and provisions. The name of the place was called El -elohe-Israel; which means “The God who is the God of Israel”. Jacob intends to keep his commitment to follow God and wants his entire family to do the same, thus the altar was a way to both honor God and witness to his family and servants. We must also make honoring God our first priority. Our lives, our speech, all we do and say, should always honor our Lord, God and Savior. The way we live is our true witness that we are followers of Jesus.

Jacob’s Wrestling

32:1-2

As Jacob continues on his way back to his homeland, angels of God meet him. This simple statement reminds us that God is ALWAYS with us and His angels are always doing His work regarding Believers. Do we remember to thank God for providing angels on our behalf? Notice that Jacob did not fear the angels because he clearly remembered his first encounter with angels 20+ years earlier on his way out of his homeland to Haran. God had told him he was to return to Canaan, and now this army, or host, of angels meets him! Jacob knew he could NEVER return to Haran, nor could any of his family, all of whom were born there, so these angels were a powerful confirmation of God’s mighty and powerful provision for him and for his entire family group. The name ‘Mahanaim’ means two hosts, probably referring to the great host, or army (camp), of angels, and the small host, or camp of his own family. This visible confirmation of the mighty angels of God being with Jacob’s family to protect them, was most certainly a great comfort and encouragement to Jacob.

32:3-5

Since God had sent his messengers, angels, to meet Jacob, he was inspired and encouraged to send messengers to his brother Esau to let him know of his return to Canaan. Notice the humble and subservient language he carefully instructs his servants to use when addressing Esau as ‘my lord’. This would be the way one would address a honored superior. He instructs his servants to also recount all the wealth, animals, servants and people he now has from Haran, indicating he is very wealthy. This would be a way of discretely telling Esau that he was NOT coming back to claim his inheritance that he had left behind 20 years ago. Why was this so important? In addition, he humbly asks to find grace in Esau’s eyes; this would mean he is asking for forgiveness and acceptance. All of this information was to assure Esau that the wealth he no doubt had been using and enjoying from Isaac, could be kept by Esau. Yet, notice that he never mentions his right, or claim, to anything, just that he is returning to his homeland and seeks reconciliation with Esau as his ‘humble servant’. Can you think of anything else that Jacob could have done or said? We can assume that he probably prayed and sought God’s wisdom and direction regarding contacting Esau, yet we are not told that in the scriptures.

32:6-7

Jacob’s messengers return with the news that they had found Esau, gave him the messages from Jacob and now he was coming to meet him. And, oh, by the way, he has 400 men with him! This last bit of news was probably what caused Jacob to be extremely afraid and distressed; plus there is no mention of any return greeting from Esau. These two facts would have caused Jacob to suspect the worst, that Esau was coming to kill Jacob and his family. Jacob remembered clearly Esau’s threats to kill him to obtain the inheritance, so had ample reason to believe the worst. Jacob doesn’t know how much time he has to prepare to defend himself against his brother, so he immediately divides his family group into two separate groups. This would probably have been inspired by the two ‘hosts’, God’s and his, mentioned in verses 1 and 2. We will see a lot of key ideas and wordplays in this Chapter of Genesis, so be sensitive to references giving the Hebrew name for various words and meanings. Remember, the Hebrew word for angels also means messengers. Although angels are far more than just simple ‘messengers’.

32:8

It is interesting that we are told what Jacob was thinking! We have not been privileged to have that information clearly given to us until now. He rationalizes that if Esau and his band of men meet them, they will kill one family group, yet the other would escape. What is wrong with this kind of thinking? Of course, we all know that Esau and his army of men would kill the one group, then immediately go after the other and do the same. No military leaders would ever stop their advance after vanquishing one small group, knowing there is another in the area. So, in reality, dividing them into groups would not protect or ensure that either group would survive. In fact, most of us know the saying, ‘divide and conquer!’ Even Jesus tells us that a house divided against itself cannot stand. This would mean that any ‘division’ would weaken the family group, not strengthen it. Can you think of other instances and references to ‘division’ pertaining to weakness, not strength?

32:9

FINALLY! Jacob does what he should have done immediately. Prayed to God with all his heart and soul. Notice how he addresses God, as God of his father Abraham and God of father Isaac. He is acknowledging that the One True God is the God of both Abraham and Isaac. Now he also confirms that God is his Lord, Who spoke to him, commanding that he return to Canaan and to his people and that He would bless him and deal well with him. Jacob is praying from the very depths of his soul, recounting the promises God had given him 20+ years ago, and indicating that he is obeying God out of faith in God. Jacob is clearly telling God that he is in God’s Will by obeying Him. Jacob repeats God’s Words to him regarding the command to return and the promises of blessings and protection. Can you see the lessons for us? We have God’s Word in our hands, and we can pray His commands and blessings into our own lives! Remember, we CANNOT take God’s promises of blessings and IGNORE His commands of Faith and Obedience. Know any people who do that? Sure, we all do, so let’s NOT be one of those who foolishly think they can claim a blessing without being in God’s Will, and then whine and complain when things don’t go the way they think they should.

32:10

Jacob correctly states that he is not worthy of the least of God’s Mercies and the Truth that God has so graciously and generously given him. Are you identifying with this Truth? You should be! None of us are worthy of ANYTHING from God, not even our lives. Jacob reminds himself and confesses that he crossed over the river Jordan with only his staff, and now he has become two hosts, or families, no doubt referring to both Rachel and Leah as his wives; plus all the servants and wealth. Jacob is admitting his total dependance on God. We should always remind ourselves of our complete dependancy on God; and THANK HIM daily for His faithfulness in caring for us.

32:11-12

DELIVER ME! What a powerful cry from his heart and soul for deliverance from the evil he fears from Esau! We can cry out that very same cry of the human heart: DELIVER US FROM EVIL. We can understand why Jesus taught his disciples, and us, that we should pray daily for Deliverance from ALL evil. Jacob admits his fear for his own life and the lives of Rachel, Leah and all his children, and begs God to keep His promises and protect ALL of them from death. Jacob repeats God’s promises to him regarding the promise to do good, to bless him AND to make his seed, his posterity, so numerous that it cannot be counted. This would mean that Jacob was claiming God’s promises to him, in total faith. Jacob could see absolutely no possible way that he could protect himself and his family; he knew ONLY God had the power to do that.

32:13-20

Jacob stops and sets up camp for the night. He immediately begins to select gifts for his brother Esau, presumably to appease his brother’s long-held anger towards him. We are given a long list of the huge number of animals Jacob gives to each of his chief servants. Jacob states that they are to leave a large space between each drove of animals, with specific commands that when Esau meets up with them, questioning who they are, who owns the flocks, and where are you going? The servants are to tell them they belong to Esau’s servant, Jacob, emphasizing the ‘servant’ each time; telling Esau that the entire drove is a gift from his servant, Jacob, to Esau. Then they are to tell Esau that Jacob is coming behind them. Each servant, is to tell Esau the exact same thing, and that each drove is another present to Esau. Jacob thinks that by appeasement he can convince Esau to accept him. Does appeasement of one’s enemies ever work? Of course not, only a fool attempts to appease enemies. Nothing in God’s Word EVER tells us to appease the enemy. Too bad our political leaders haven’t learned this Truth! We too, should remember that we cannot appease the enemy of our soul. Satan and his demons will NEVER let you alone no matter what you do to appease them. Keep in mind that Satan uses other people to attack and persecute us. We must NEVER be tempted to appease them in the name of tolerance, compromise or whatever other terminology the enemy brings to mind. We cannot make peace with the enemy without being out of God’s Will. We see Nations make this same foolish mistake, trying to pacify the terrorists to obtain some kind of false security. All True deliverance from enemies comes from God, not from some appeasement efforts by men

32:21-27

Jacob sends these ‘presents’ of attempted appeasement out of the camp toward Esau. Then, in an effort to place Rachael, Leah, the maids, and his children in the safest place possible, he gets up in the night and takes them over the Jabbok brook, along with his remaining wealth. (24. – 27.) Jacob then returns to the camp, alone. We are told that a Man wrestled with Jacob until daybreak. This Man is no ordinary human, but is a Theophany of God Himself, in all probability, it is Jesus. Jacob knows that he must not give up. The Man, seeing that Jacob would not quit, touches the hollow of Jacob’s thigh, putting it out of joint as he wrestled with Him. He, the Man, tells Jacob “Let Me go, for day is breaking.” Yet Jacob refuses, saying I will not let You go unless You declare a blessing on me. Then the God Man asks him, ‘What is your name?’ His name would reflect his character traits. This would shock Jacob into the realization that his name, Jacob, meant supplanter, schemer, trickster, swindler; and he quietly admits and confesses that his name is ‘Jacob’. Jacob realizes his character flaws and failures.

32:28

Now He, God, says ‘your name shall no more be called Jacob, but Israel’, which means contender with God. It also means he who perseveres with God. It is also associated with the word ‘prince’. You have contended and have power with God and men, and have prevailed. This would change Jacob’s entire attitude and character traits. We also need a change of attitude and character traits; persevering with God, seeking to strive with God to obtain a blessing, a changed and improved life. Isn’t that also what you want? We want to be changed completely into the image and likeness of Jesus. The purpose of the ‘wrestling’ was an encounter with the Living God. Jacob was forced to struggle so that he could experience the Truth that only God is in control. All our struggling with, or against, God will never be successful. The Hebrew word Ya’aqob, is Jacob; Jabboq, which is Jabbok, the place of crossing over into the promised land; and ye’abeq, meaning ‘he wrestled’. All these similarities show that before Jacob could cross the Jabbok brook to the land of blessing, he had to wrestle, or struggle. The struggle was to leave him with a permanent limp, affecting his physical strength and ability, but it resulted in great spiritual growth for Jacob, changing him forever into Israel.

32:29

When Jacob asked Him to tell him His Name, Jacob realizes he is speaking with God. Yet, the God Man asks him why he asks his name? God wants Jacob to realize that although He knows Jacob intimately, Jacob is just beginning to know the one true God. Knowing a name for God would not give Jacob, or us, an understanding of God. Then God declares a blessing on Jacob. Do we realize that God’s Name is infinite, just as He is. Think about all the names we have for God; if we began to list them they would just begin to reveal parts or aspects of God’s Character. None of us can, or will, ever completely understand our Creator God. In fact, the more we learn about God the less we realize we know and understand Him. However, this should greatly encourage us to learn more and more about our Great and Wonderful Redeemer, Creator and Lord.

32:30

Jacob calls the name of the place Peniel, which means ‘the face of God’. Yet, Jacob thanks God for sparing his life, knowing that to ‘see’ God, meant one would die. Remember, Jacob visually sees the ‘God Man’ just as centuries later people would see the God Man, Jesus.

32:31-32

As the sun rose and Jacob left Peniel, he was limping in pain because of the shrinking of the tendon of his hip. Jacob had wrestled, or struggled, with God in a face to face context. Jacob had to come to terms with the Truth that only God was in control. Jacob had to come to the truth of his own failures and flaws. Jacob could no longer rely on his own strength and conniving; he couldn’t run anymore. Yet now he knew that God’s strength and provision were more than he could ever imagine. As long as we continue to rely on our strength and our abilities, we will never learn to rely solely on God. Before Jacob could enter the promised land he had to completely trust God for ALL his needs, and the needs of his family. Remember, Jacob had just seen the host of angels, yet when he perceived impending danger from his brother, Esau, he attempted to work out the provisions for survival on his own rather than calling on and trusting God. The commentary on the dietary restrictions for the Israelites for not eating the tendon of the hindquarter of animals, pertains to this incident with Jacob struggling with God, and having the hip joint ‘touched’.

Have you wrestled, or struggled, with God? We must reach a time in our lives where we struggle with the deep and perplexing questions of life by going to God. Why must we suffer? Why must a loved one suffer? Why does God allow trials and tribulations? The answers are challenging and complex, yet the truth is simple: We must learn to trust God in all situations. Trials and tribulations are allowed to challenge and spur us on to grow spiritually and to learn to trust God, not ourselves. Do you have a situation that is beyond your control? Then it is time to seek God with all your heart and soul and truly trust Him for the outcome. Need healing? Seek a deeper, more personal relationship with the Creator of the Universe. Frustrated with children? God knows their heart and only the Holy Spirit can touch their soul and heart, yet you can pray and trust God for the outcome. Financial struggles? God owns the cattle on a thousand hills; He actually owns the entire Universe, so nothing is beyond His capabilities, trust Him for your needs. Yet remember, we must be discerning to seek God’s Will for our lives. Whining for a new car, house, or whatever; may not be what is best for you. God knows the difference between a NEED and a WANT. Do you? We need to be good stewards of all He has provided, both physically and spiritually. Most of all, we desperately need to come to terms with OUR OWN character traits and flaws and confess them and ask for God’s healing transformation. And lastly, God’s timing is always perfect, He knows exactly when and how He will meet your Eternal needs as you continue to trust and obey Him.

Jacob Flees Haran

31:1-2

As Jacob increased in his family size, flocks, herds and wealth, Laban’s wealth decreased. Laban’s sons, who would inherit his wealth, began to blame Jacob for ‘taking’ all their inheritance. Laban also changed his former favorable attitude toward Jacob to one of hostility because of the decrease in his wealth. Remember, Jacob had been the instrument God used to bless Laban for the past 20 years. During all this time Laban NEVER changed his attitude of greed, nor thanked God for his blessings, nor did he accept, or turn to, the Lord God. Do we thank God for all our blessings on a daily basis? Or do we take credit for our wealth ourselves. A ‘self made man’ is a delusion. There IS no such thing. It is the same as foolishly thinking WE are ever in control. Everything comes from God. Think about it: God created you, your talents and abilities, your body, EVERYTHING! So, exactly what can you take credit for? Who is always in control?

31:3-4

God clearly speaks to Jacob, telling him to return to Canaan with the promise that He would protect and guide him safely back to the Promised Land. When God calls us to do something, He will guide and protect us. If we refuse, we are out of His Will and out of His protection. Think carefully, and prayerfully, about all your decisions. (4.) Jacob believes God and calls Rachel and Leah to come out into the field where his flocks are; presumably to make certain no one overhears the discussion he plans to have with them. We must be willing to obey God, yet be discerning and careful about who we tell about God’s direction for our lives. Remember when you told the wrong person something God had told you, and that person discouraged you and indicated they thought you were not rational? Sharing God’s Will for your life should be done only with those who love you and who also believe in God’s sovereign Will for our lives.

31:5-9

Jacob summarizes the current situation with Laban and his sons to Rachel and Leah. He no doubt tells them he loves them and has worked hard to provide for them. He then recounts his faithful years of service for Laban and Laban’s deceitful changing of wages, greed, and doing everything he can to leave Jacob, Rachel and Leah, and their family, with no choice but to remain under his control. He clearly tells them that God has blessed him and caused him to become wealthy, and, at the same time, caused Laban to have a great deal less wealth.

31:10-13

Now Jacob reveals the dream God gave him regarding the offspring of the flocks and herds, and which to claim, before they were born. God told Jacob that He sees everything that has been done to Jacob by Laban, and He will bless Jacob and remove blessings from Laban. Jacob now reveals that God has again appeared to him and told him that He is the God of Bethel, the Eternal, Almighty Creator of the Universe, the One True God Whom Jacob worshiped at Bethel and anointed the rock as a vow and commitment to always follow the Lord. Jacob shares with Rachel and Leah that God told him to now leave the land of Padan-aram, Haran, and return to Canaan, the land of his family.

31:14-16

Both Rachel and Leah clearly have seen the greed of their father, how he treated them as hired hands, as worthless strangers, and gained wealth by ‘selling’ them to Jacob for his hire. Instead of giving the dowry earnings back to Rachel and Leah, Laban kept everything for himself, giving them nothing. They both acknowledge that there is nothing they would ever receive from their father, Laban. Whatever dowery they should have had was never given to them. Laban left them with absolutely nothing. They both agree that all the riches God has given to Jacob is theirs, and their children’s, only because they are the wives of Jacob. Both realize that Jacob loves and cares for them and their children. Both responded in Faith to Jacob’s sharing of God’s Will for their lives, by agreeing to leave their homeland and go with Jacob to his land, as God had directed. Laban’s treatment of his daughters clearly showed he did not truly love them. Yet Jacob’s sacrificial service for 14 years showed his great love for both of them.

31:17-19

Jacob had carefully planned to leave Haran when Laban and his sons were off shearing their sheep. Since we know that Laban had separated their flocks by a three days journey, Jacob chose that precise time to leave with his wives, children, servants, herds and all his wealth, for the land of Canaan. To keep his plans secret, he obviously waited until Laban, his sons, and their hired hands were all gone before revealing his plans to Rachel and Leah to obey God’s call to return to Canaan. (19.) This verse confirms that Laban and his sons were all gone from the area when Jacob and his family, servants, flocks and herds all set out for Canaan. We are told Rachel stole the household images from her father’s house. She may have taken them out of resentment for her father depriving her of being the first wife of Jacob, and his callous treatment of her. In any case, it nearly brought disaster upon the whole family. The reason? Excavations from 1925 to 1931 of the Nuzi Tablets give detailed insights into the life and culture of the people of this region in the years about 2000 B.C. The household gods, or images, could be used by a son-in-law as proof of being the principal heir over any sons.

31:20-21

Jacob’s reasons for leaving secretly were well founded. He knew from bitter experience that Laban would strongly object to his leaving Haran. He knew that if he tried to leave, Laban would send him away with nothing; not even his wives and children. He had obviously been well prepared in advance to leave with all he had the day he revealed his plans to his wives. He knew that he had to have sufficient provisions and strong healthy camels and healthy animals ready and able to make a grueling 400 mile trek across the desert lands back to Canaan.

31:22-23

The fact that laban was ‘told’ about Jacob’s leaving three days later, confirms that someone from Laban’s household had to make the three day journey to where Laban was having his flocks sheared. Laban immediately organizes his sons, as well as strong servants, and pursues Jacobs caravan. Since it takes him seven days to overtake Jacob, Jacob is now in the hill country of Gilead.

31:24-25

Yet God had come to Laban the night before in a dream and commanded him sternly to not speak peaceably, or good, to Jacob; and then go to violence, or bad treatment of Jacob. When Laban caught up with Jacob, his caravan had pitched their tents on a hill. Laban then had his tents pitched on the same hill of Gilead.

31:26-28

Laban now confronts Jacob asking him why he left secretly, taking his daughters and children off like ‘captives’, and taking all the flocks and herds and wealth with him? Laban states Jacob had deprived him of sending them off with a celebration of joy and gladness. Further, Laban states he was not even ‘permitted’ to kiss his grandchildren and daughters good-bye. He chided Jacob stating he had acted foolishly by running off like this.

31:29-30

Laban tells Jacob he has the power to do great harm to him, but the ‘God of your father spoke to me and warned me not to speak good then do any harm to you’. So Laban’s fear of God caused him to restrain himself from threatening or harming Jacob. Laban goes on to state that Jacob was returning to his father’s house because he was ‘homesick’. His final accusation was that Jacob had stolen his household images (gods). This last charge is most serious, as this offense, if valid, could cause death to the offender.

31:31-32

After Laban finishes speaking, then, and only then, can Jacob speak. It was the custom that when one leader was speaking no one ever interrupted. So when Jacob begins to speak Laban cannot interrupt his answers and counter charges. Jacob immediately tells the truth that he was afraid that Laban would demand his daughters and grandchildren stay in Padan-aram; and Laban would send him back alone. Jacob immediately addresses the next most serious charge of stealing the household images. He says that Laban may kill the person he finds with the idols, not realizing that his beloved Rachel was the one who stole them! Jacob demanded that, before all their families, they could search everything and then show what had been stolen.

31:33-35

Laban wastes no time in beginning his search with Jacob’s tent. Laban and his men then search Leah’s tent, and then the tent of the maids, then they go into Rachel’s tent. Rachel had hidden the images in the camel’s cushion, or saddle, and was sitting on the cushion when her father came into her tent. She stated that she was ill because of menstrual pain and could not stand to honor her father when he entered her tent. They searched, but did not find the images. A woman, during her time of period, was considered ‘unclean’. Thus Laban would never have considered that an ‘unclean woman’ would ever even touch an idol and cause it to become worthless, thus he never thought to demand to search the cushion she was sitting on.

31:36-37

Jacob realizes they have found nothing and he now becomes angry with Laban and demands to have proof of his fault and sin. He states that they have searched through all their possessions and yet found not one thing that they can claim belonged to Laban.

31:38-41

Now Jacob really stands up to his father-in-law. Recounting how he had worked twenty long hard years for Laban. He stated that he never brought Laban the carcasses of animals destroyed by wild beasts, or reported stolen animals, but instead made up for it himself. He goes on to tell Laban of how he suffered in the heat of the day and suffered with the cold of night that was so bad often he could not even sleep. He continues by recounting that he faithfully served Laban 14 years for his daughters and then six more years for his flocks; and then he brings up the deceit and greed of Laban that he had illegally changed his wages 10 times!

31:42

Jacob now tells Laban that the only way he has been able to be successful and not be sent away empty-handed, was because the One True God of his fathers was with him through all his sufferings and efforts. God alone had made him successful. Laban had previously admitted that he knew God had made Jacob successful in all he did. Jacob made his final stab at laban by telling him: ‘This is the same One True God who spoke to you last night and rebuked you!’

31:43

Laban had never been spoken to and confronted in this manner by Jacob in twenty years! Despite all the proofs and facts Jacob has just presented to Laban before all their families; Laban really loses it and then says that these were his daughters, his children, his flocks, and all that you see is mine, mine, mine! We can be sure that he was not speaking in a calm controlled voice; in fact he was probably screaming and yelling by this time. Yet, suddenly, he remembers God’s stern warning to him and then says “But what can I do today to these daughters and children?” Before Jacob can respond, he goes on to demand a covenant or permanent peace treaty between his family and Jacob’s family.

31:45-46

Jacob then sets up a large stone for a pillar, or monument. Then Jacob has all his people gather stones and they make a large monument, or platform around the pillar. They then eat together on that platform, or monument. This would indicate that each member of the family and the servants, are all part of the covenant. Each contributed a stone and each person has partaken of the meal.

31:47-49

Laban names the monument ‘Jegar-sahadutha’ or ‘witness heap’ in Aramaic. Jacob called it ‘Galeed’ in Hebrew. Laban states that this monument, or heap, is a witness to their covenant. The Pillar was also called Mizpah, or watchpost, because Laban said ‘May the Lord watch over you and me when we are gone from one another.’

31:50-52

True to his character, Laban now adds more conditions by stating that if Jacob should afflict, humiliate or divorce his daughters, or take other wives, that God would be a witness to those acts. Laban knows very well that Jacob would never harm his daughters, yet he probably wanted to look good before his daughters. Laban states that God is a witness between you and me. Then Laban says he has set up the pillar between them, and they are not to ever pass by the pillar to each others land without being put to harm, meaning being killed. It is amazing that Laban takes ‘credit’ for the pillar even though we are told that Jacob set it up. Laban is obviously concerned more about the missing images that might be used so that Jacob could come and claim his lands and household, then he is about his own daughters. Greedy people care about material things, and wealth, more than their own family members. How about you?

31:53-54

Laban swears to the God of Abraham and the god of Nahor and the god of their father Terah. Obviously, Laban does NOT really know the one True God. Yet Jacob swears only by the One True God of his father Isaac. Jacob then offers a sacrifice on the mountain and calls all his family and servants to eat a meal together as a sign that they are all part of the covenant. Jacob’s family group all eats together and stays all night on the mountain.

31:55

Early the next morning Laban gets up, kisses his grandchildren and daughters and asks God’s favor on them. Laban has never sought God himself, yet he knows God has blessed Jacob and made him successful; he’s seen it for 20+ years! He also fears God, yet fails to seek Him. Then he returns to his own land and home. This ‘Boundary and Treaty’ marks a break with the East for the family of Israel.

We clearly see why seeking God with all your heart, mind and soul is CRUCIAL to finding the One True God AND in having a personal relationship with Him. Love seeks what is best for the person one claims to Love; even if it means sacrificing oneself for the one you claim to Love. Anything else is NOT True Love. Our society has demeaned Love to mean ‘usability’ or ‘usefulness’. We see those who claim to Love someone, yet their own interests, lusts and demands come before the best interests of the one they ‘claim’ to Love. True Love is ALWAYS sacrificial in nature. Love is NOT something that just “happens”. True Love requires sacrificial effort and careful thought and consideration. Jesus tells us to Love one another just as He has Loved us. Keep in mind that He laid down His life for you ~ all because of His immeasurable TRUE Love for you.

Sons of Jacob – Struggles with Laban

30:1-6

In their culture, bearing children was essential to the family being successful and in continuing. Thus a wife who was unable to bear children was considered inferior, and even worse, cursed. Rachel was miserable because she could not conceive and she was envious at all the children her own sister, was producing. She began to blame Jacob for her inability to conceive, by demanding he get her pregnant. Jacob immediately became angry with Rachel stating that God was the one who had withheld children from her, not him! So, in response, she offers Jacob her maid Bilhah to produce children on her behalf. Keep in mind this is the same thing that Sarah had done with Hagar. Despite Jacob knowing the disaster that resulted from having children with women other than his own wife, he willingly has relations with Bilhah, and she becomes pregnant and bares a son. (6.) Since Rachel claims the son born of Bilhah as her son, she names him Dan, which is from dananni, meaning ‘god has vindicated me.’ Rachel felt God had judged her and given her a son by her handmaid.

30:7-8

Rachel perceives she and her sister are ‘wrestling’ for the ‘top position’ with Jacob. The baring of a second son, through Bilhah, seems to Rachel to be allowing her to prevail over her sister. The name Naphtali is close to niptali which means ‘I fought’. What a sad situation, that the sisters are struggling to outdo one another for the love of Jacob. No one wants to be a ‘second class wife’; and both sisters feel less than adequate in the eyes of their husband, Jacob. Can you imagine how uncomfortable, insecure, unhappy and no doubt sad and angry both sisters felt? No wonder God tells us marriage is between one man and one woman and that adultery is such a terrible sin.

30:9-13

Since Leah sees that she is no longer becoming pregnant, she continues the struggle for superiority over her sister by giving her maid Zilpah to Jacob as a ‘secondary wife’. Zilpah bears Gad, then Asher. Leah then claims to be ‘happy’ about the ‘troop’ of sons she and her maidservant have borne to Jacob. Why is Jacob going along with this foolish plan? Surely he knows of the disaster caused by his grandmother in giving Hagar to Abraham. Is he allowing his emotions to rule his life rather than seeking God’s counsel? When we allow our emotions to be the source of our decision making, then we bring disaster upon ourselves. Remember our scripture? 1 Corinthians 9:27 “But I discipline my flesh and bring it into subjection, lest when I preach Jesus to others, I myself, will be disqualified.” God wants us to discipline ourselves and seek His Will for our lives. Being outside the Will of God is always sin.

30:14

The mandrakes were a plant that produces small berrylike fruit which was thought to be an aphrodisiac and inducer of fertility. Rachel, now being quite desperate to become pregnant, somehow believed that these mandrakes would help her become pregnant. As we are thinking, ‘how foolish’ keep in mind the foolish and ridiculous man-made superstitions and beliefs we operate under! Knocking on wood; Karma; broken mirrors; the list is endless. Keep in mind that All superstitions are evil, as they represent demonic activity. Either we believe God controls everything, or we don’t really trust Him. We can’t have it both ways.

30:15-16

Obviously Leah believes the same lies and superstitions, as she confronts her sister accusing her of ‘stealing’ her husband. Rachel is so desperate for the mandrakes she ‘trades’ the right to sleep with her husband to Leah for the mandrakes. Leah can’t even wait for Jacob to get home; and she runs out to meet him, telling him he has to sleep with her because she has ‘purchased’ him for the night. Jacob goes along with the arrangement. We wonder what has happened to Jacob. Doesn’t he have a spine? Is he completely controlled by his dueling wives?

30:17-21

God allows Leah to become pregnant and she now gives birth to her own fifth son and names him Issachar; which is explained by siekartika meaning ‘my hire’. (19. – 21.) Leah is obviously now again becoming pregnant by Jacob as she has a sixth son, naming him Zebulun which could mean dowry, or gift, as well as honor. Leah again has hopes that Jacob would treat her with honor and favor over her sister. After the sixth son, she also gives birth to a daughter, named Dinah. Daughters were usually not even mentioned, yet we are told the name of this girl for future reference.

30:22-24

Finally God allows Rachel to conceive and she bares a son, naming him Joseph. His name also has a double meaning: asap; my disgrace and yosep; adding. Rachel believes God has removed her disgrace and she prays for yet another son. She now finally realizes that only God can allow her to conceive.

30:25-26

After the birth of Joseph, Jacob finally asks Laban for ‘permission’ to return to his own county, asking for all his wives and children to be allowed to return with him. Jacob reminds Laban of all the hard years of work he has given him for his wives.

30:27-28

Crafty Laban tells Jacob IF I have found favor in your eyes stay awhile longer, because I have learned that the Lord has blessed me for your sake. Laban knew that all his wealth had been accumulated due to the Lord blessing Jacob’s hard work; and he didn’t want to give that up! By using these phrases he leaves Jacob in the position of NOT being able to argue with him or insist on leaving. So he now asks Jacob to now state what his wages would be to continue to work for him. Keep in mind that all these years Jacob has been working for Laban only for his wives and children. He has no hope of any inheritance, land, flocks, nothing! Plus Jacob knows he MUST return to the land God has promised Abraham, Isaac and now, himself.

30:29-30

Jacob repeats the Truth that all the wealth of cattle and flocks have all come through him, from God, to Laban. He gently reminds Laban that he had little when he came, and now he is very wealthy. Jacob now asks him ‘how shall I provide for my own household?’ Jacob is not demanding anything, as that is unacceptable in that culture. Instead, he is now stating the truth that he has no way to provide for his own family with the current arrangements.

30:31-33

This type of ‘negotiating’ is done in a very cultural mind set. Neither man wants to appear to ‘demand’ anything from the other; and to ‘give’ anything would mean ‘what are you willing to do or give, for me to give something to you?’ None of this ‘giving’ is a ‘gift’ but rather a way of negotiating for something one must earn. This is tough bartering. Jacob says don’t ‘give’ me anything; yet, if you would do this one little thing, then I will again, or continue, to feed and take care of your flocks. Jacobs plan is proposed so that it would appear that he would only gain a very little and that Laban would continue to reap greater wealth and gain. The spotted and off-color markings on the animals would determine the ownership as belonging to Jacob. The dominant solid colors were the majority of the flocks. This arrangement would presumably leave Jacob without the possibility of EVER being able to leave Laban’s hire.

30:34

Laban immediately recognized the proposal as being heavily weighted in his favor. He knew the majority of all animals were solid-colored and dominant-colored animals. This would leave him with an enormous advantage over Jacob. Laban’s greed caused him to agree to the terms, stating that Jacob now had to keep his word to Laban.

30:35-36

To add to his own benefit, Laban immediately, that same day, goes into fields with the flocks and has all the ringstraked, and spotted males removed as well as all the speckled and spotted females as well as any that had any white on them as well as all the brown sheep and gave all of them to his sons. Laban knows that if he removes all the animals with any type or kind of marking, it would be almost impossible for any newly born animals to have those markings; leaving Jacob with nothing! In addition, Laban wants to insure that the animals cannot possibly cross breed, so he has his sons take all of these marked animals a three days journey away from the herds Jacob is to take care of.

30:37-39

Jacob sees the unfair removal of all the marked animals from the flocks and then acts on God’s leading regarding the rods. These ‘rods’ were cuttings of green poplar, hazel and chestnut trees. Jacob peeled the rods to expose the white streaks; placing the rods in the watering troughs the flocks drank from. It is unclear exactly how the rods, or perhaps the natural chemicals from the rods, affected the animals. Except we are told they bred and conceived when they came to drink. These flocks then brought forth young lambs and kids that were streaked, speckled and spotted. Just as a husband and wife with brown eyes may have a blue eyed child because the blue is a recessive gene, yet two recessive genes would cause the child to have blue eyes. I am one of those blue eyed children with parents that have brown eyes and hazel eyes. Yet God knew that solid colored male and female could bring forth young that could be streaked, speckled, spotted, etc. God IS in charge of everything. If you read ahead to chapter 31:10, Jacob reveals to his wives that God had revealed to him that the offspring would be streaked, speckled and spotted. In any case, Jacob did NOT deceive Laban, he simply obeyed God regarding the negotiating for off-colored animals.

30:40-42

Jacob now carefully separates the lambs and places the animals, which are now his, in a separate drove so that they would only interbreed by themselves and not breed with any of the solid colored animals, which were all Laban’s. Further he carefully places the rods only before the stronger animals in the watering troughs. Presumably to encourage only the stronger, healthier animals to breed and reproduce. He separates the animals and does not place rods in front of Laban’s feebler animals.

30:43

Note that Jacob quickly becomes exceedingly rich. He has many sheep, goats, camels, donkeys and servants.

Do we obey God even when it doesn’t seem to make sense? Jacob did, and God blessed him for his obedience, despite the fact that he had made some terrible mistakes regarding his family dynamics. Be encouraged that when you seek God’s Word, to understand and obey His Will for your life, you will be blessed. This does not mean that all your difficulties and problems will disappear, but that you will be blessed in areas that have eternal value. We need to focus on understanding God’s Word and seeking to obey His Will for us. Begin now to praise Him for the good He has given you and learn to deal with adversity with the guidance, direction and wisdom of the Holy Spirit.

Jacob In Haran

29:1

This arduous journey of approximately 400 miles was probably traveled by camel, as Isaac had ample camels to allow Jacob to be properly outfitted for such a long, hard journey. Keep in mind this is the same area Abraham’s servant traveled to obtain a bride for Isaac. It appears that God caused Jacob to make the trip rather quickly and obviously, safely.

29:2-4

Jacob comes upon the well used to water all the flocks and herds and addresses the shepherds in a friendly and respectful way by calling them “my brothers”. He immediately asked them where they are from; and they tell him from Haran. So now Jacob knows he is in the right area.

29:5-6

Jacob wastes no time in asking them if they know of Laban, the grandson of Nahor. He must give the correct genealogy of Laban to indicate he knows his family history and to make certain he identifies the correct ‘Laban’. They indicate they know of him, but give no other information. (6.) Jacob politely asks if all is well with him, indicating he has a personal and special interest in Laban’s well being. Now the men warm up a bit to Jacob and indicate he is doing well; and they add, ‘here comes his daughter Rachel with his sheep.’ This added information was volunteered, probably at God’s inspiration.

29:7-8

Now Jacob sees the sun is high, meaning it is a hot time of the time day, so he takes the initiative to suggest that they go ahead and provide water for the thirsty sheep and allow them to return to their pasture to continue to be fed. (8.) ‘But they said..’ They refused to do anything until all the flocks were gathered together and the shepherds came and rolled the stone from the well, then their job was to water the flocks at that time. It was a simple case of an attitude of “It’s not my job, so I’m NOT doing it!” These lazy men were just going to sit around and do nothing until the shepherds came and forced them to get to work. As he is speaking with the men, Rachel comes near to the well with the sheep as she is working as the shepherdess of her father’s sheep.

29:9-10

Jacob sees Rachel, realizing she is his Uncle’s daughter, the niece of his mother. He sees the need for water for the sheep and immediately takes action and rolls the heavy stone from the well, and draws and provides water for the entire flock. He shows himself to be hardworking and industrious, looking for what needs to be done and then does it. Unlike the lazy hired hands, he takes the initiative and willingly does all the hard work in the hot sun with no complaining, providing for the needs of the thirsty sheep. These actions show he is generous with his time and work; is zealous and industrious. Jacob is on a mission and a quest and wants to succeed in all that he does.

29:11-12

After all his hard work he comes up to Rachel and introduces himself as her father’s nephew. The kiss was a kiss of greeting and friendship from a family member. Rachel immediately leaves the sheep and runs to tell her father about Jacob. No doubt telling him of all the volunteer hard work and efforts made by Jacob to care for Laban’s sheep.

29:13-14

As soon as Laban hears of the arrival of Jacob. His sister Rebekah’s son, he runs to meet him, embraces and kisses him, and brings Jacob to his home. Jacob then tells Laban all of these things.

29:15

Laban tells Jacob he is his bone and flesh, meaning he is a close relative. It is interesting that Laban uses a term that today would mean we have the same family DNA. How did he know that about the bone and flesh? Obviously the Holy Spirit revealed this Truth to Laban. Notice that Jacob is living and working hard for Laban for an entire month before he even offers to give him any wages at all. Keep in mind that Laban had bargained hard to get as much money and wealth as possible from Abraham’s servant for his sister Rebekah, before he would allow her to become Isaac’s wife. It appears that Laban is both crafty and very greedy.

29:16-18

We are told that Laban has two daughters; the older is Leah who is described by having weak and dull eyes; and the younger daughter is Rachel, who is described as being beautiful and attractive. Keep in mind that these daughters are no longer young. Jacob has fallen in love with Rachel, so he offers to work for Laban for seven years for the hand of Rachel as his wife.

29:19

Greedy Laban simply says that is it better to give Rachel to Jacob than to another man; so he agrees to have Jacob live and work with the family. It is almost as if he had said “Oh well, I guess you are just as good as any other man.” We begin to understand why these two daughters are still single! Their greedy father has probably demanded an outrageous amount of money and wealth for each of his daughters. Working for seven years and being paid nothing except the promise of marrying Rachel is a very expensive proposition for Jacob. Jacob is placing a very high value on Rachel and Laban knows it, yet he carefully hides his enthusiasm about Jacob’s generous offer.

29:20-21

Seven years go by with Jacob working hard all that time for Laban. God’s word says that Jacob loved Rachel so dearly, that to him it was all worth it. Yet, Jacob has to finally remind Laban of their agreement and formally ask Laban to give Rachel to him as his wife, pointing out that he has already completed all the years of hard work. Remember how Laban had tried to stall giving Rebekah to Abraham’s servant in order to try to get more money? It appears he was trying to do the same thing to Jacob.

29:22-24

Laban organizes a feast where all the men get together and drink, no doubt to excess. That night, when it is dark and Jacob has no doubt had too much to drink, then Laban brings Leah in to Jacob, passing her off as Rachel. Leah probably had a veil covering her face, and Jacob probably had so much to drink, he didn’t realize it wasn’t Rachel. In any case, he has intercourse with her, accepting her as his wife. Laban also gives Zilpah, his maid, to be Leah’s maid.

29:25

But… Again that word that let’s us know something is not right. The next morning, when Jacob probably has a hangover, he realizes that his wife is not Rachel, but is Leah! He immediately goes to Laban and demands to know why he had deceived him and given him Leah instead of Rachel. He points out that he has worked hard for seven years for Rachel, not Leah. He demands to know why Laban has deceived, cheated and thrown him down like this!

29:26-27

Laban uses the excuse that in their country it is not permitted to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older daughter. He promises that if Jacob will complete the wedding feast week with Leah, then he will give Rachel to him also as a wife, IF he agrees to work another seven years in return for Rachel. Sneaky, dishonest, lying, demanding, greed seems to be just pouring out of Laban!

29:28-30

Jacob probably felt trapped and forced into the agreement, so he fulfills the week with Leah, and then Laban gives him Rachel to also be his wife. Laban also gives the maid, Bilhah, to Rachel to be her maid. (30.) Jacob lives with Rachel also as his wife. Jacob loves Rachel more than Leah. This lets us know that he did love Leah, but not the way he dearly loved Rachel. He continues to work for Laban for another seven years.

29:31

God sees that Leah is ‘second rate’ in Jacob’s eyes, and she no doubt is painfully aware of that fact. She was probably embarrassed and humiliated to be given to Jacob and passed off as her younger sister; but forced to participate in the deception by her father. She was no doubt feeling mortified, humiliated and unloved when Jacob went storming off to Laban about the deception. God causes Leah to be able to become pregnant and bear children, despite her feelings of being unwanted and unloved. At least bearing children would give her a sense of some worth in her culture. We are also told that Rachel is unable to conceive.

29:32

Leah becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son and names him Reuben, meaning (see, a son). She says that “the Lord has seen my humiliation and affliction; and now surely my husband will love me.” She believes Jacob will now love her because she has born him a son.

29:33-34

Leah again becomes pregnant and bears another son, whom she names Simeon (meaning God hears). She feels that she is despised and unloved. She again becomes pregnant and now gives birth to the third son, naming him Levi (companion) hoping that Jacob would finally be a companion to her.

29:35

Leah bears yet a fourth son, naming him Judah (Praise God) now she is praising God for her son. She finally realizes that Jacob continues to love Rachel more than she, despite the fact that Rachel is unable to bear Jacob children. At this time she now has four boys to care for and ceases bearing children.

After studying this sad situation, we can’t help but feel compassion for Leah. Not a great beauty, having weak and dull eyes and being forced on Jacob as a wife, must have left her feeling pretty worthless, used, angry and depressed. Yet she tried the only way she knew how, to continue to give her all for her husband, by bearing children. She was aware that God knew of her pain, suffering and humiliation in being ‘second class’ to her sister. Leah felt that no matter how much she gave, it wasn’t enough to ‘earn’ her husband’s love.

Often, we also try to ‘earn’ the love of someone, only to be used, abused and taken advantage of. Ever feel like that? Then you can identify with Leah. She was trapped in a situation she could not get out of. Yet the Truth is, True Love is never earned, it is a free gift from one who cares deeply about us. True Love is being willing to sacrifice self for the one loved. We love someone when we sacrifice and do what is best for them in light of eternity. Everything else is self-serving. We begin to realize that only God gives us True Eternal Forever Love. We can’t earn it! His Love is self-sacrificing; God sacrificed His only Son so that we could have His Eternal Love in Heaven, forever. IF you REALLY recognize this amazing Truth, you will change your attitude, your very thought processes, AND your actions; all to be OBEDIENT to the Word of God!

Accepting the True God

28:1-2

This is actually a continuation of the ‘complaint’ from Rebekah to Isaac regarding the wicked Hittite women who were married to Esau. After the dramatic and heartrending situation regarding the Patriarchal Blessing being given to Jacob (at God’s direction) and Esau being furious at not being given the material blessing; Isaac has no doubt done some real soul searching, and realizes he must now follow God’s leading. How often do we suddenly realize that we should be following and obeying God, AFTER we have caused, or been a part of, some disaster? Isaac apparently now steps in and strongly commands Jacob regarding NOT marrying one of the foreign women; and instead to go to his, and Rebekah’s, ancestor’s household, to select a wife from his Uncle Laban’s family.

28:3-4

Jacob now willingly, and knowingly, pronounces the Patriarchal Blessing upon Jacob before the entire family. This would indicate that he is agreeing with God, and obeying Him by giving the blessings before his entire household, just as he should have done the first time. This would also be a way of ensuring that Esau clearly understands that the Blessing belongs to Jacob and cannot be changed. In addition, Isaac reminds Jacob that God promised all these blessings to Abraham, including the land, of which they are all only ‘sojourners’. This means they are temporarily living in the land. Remember, so are we! This is NOT our homeland either, Heaven is!

28:5

This must have been a painful and heartbreaking command to send Jacob away to the land of Padan-aram in Haran. Isaac remembered how his own father sent his servant to obtain a wife for him; yet Isaac had failed to do the same for his own sons. Now, in is old age, he must send the chosen son away to obtain his own wife in a foreign and hostile land. Both Isaac and Rebekah must have both been filled with sorrow regarding seeing Jacob leave their home. Remember our Father also chose to send His Son into a foreign and hostile land, leaving His home in Heaven, to seek us, as the “Bride of Christ”. As we study, look for other comparison’s to our own times and situations.

28:6-7

Esau finally sees and realizes that his father is willingly obeying God and blessing Jacob. He hears and sees the command to seek a wife that is ‘pure’ and of the correct lineage to be part of the line from which the Messiah is to come. He also sees that Jacob obeys his father and his mother and willingly leaves all his inheritance behind to seek the pure and proper wife to be part of the Messianic line. Keep in mind that the people of the land were very wicked. Although all the ‘giants’ of Noah’s time had been destroyed in the flood; it appears that Satan had once again corrupted the DNA of some of these people with his own evil demons.

28:8-9

Esau finally realizes that his Canaanite wives are not pleasing to his parents; he has caused his own misery. He finally realizes that God has chosen those directly related to Abraham as the correct wife for the chosen line. Rebekah, his own mother, was in the line of Abraham, as she was his nephew’s son’s daughter. So he takes it upon himself to go to his Uncle Ishmael and ask for his daughter Mahalath, to be his wife. Adding another wife to his already bigamous family, was certainly not in God’s Will. Esau didn’t realize that the chosen line of God was only his own father, not his uncle Ishmael. Once we have made a mess of things, do we try to sort out the mess on our own, or do we pray and seek God’s will. Our own ‘strategies’ will probably have the same results Esau’s did. They were of no value at all.

28:10-11

Jacob leaves Beersheba and begins his journey toward Haran. When the sun begins to set, he stays overnight at a certain place. This place appears to be near the city of Luz. Yet Jacob sleeps outside, as he lays down and puts his head on a large stone. It also appears that Jacob is traveling alone. We can imagine Jacob leaving the safety and security of his home and striking out on his own toward his mother’s relatives, whom he did not even know.

28:12

Jacobs mind must have been reeling with all the unknown evils of wicked and hostile people he would encounter; not to mention that he had never traveled outside his own land. Maps were unknown and he just had a general idea of which direction to go to try to reach his mother’s relatives. Can you imagine striking out on your own by camel; say, south of the border in an evil and treacherous land, trying to find your way to a vague destination, knowing there is evil everywhere? God obviously intervened with this dream of the heavenly Ladder, set on earth that reached to heaven; with angels ascending and descending on it. (The Ladder is a symbol or reflection of Jesus Himself as the ladder, or bridge, between Heaven and earth). God is graciously revealing to Jacob that He controls and provides communication and help from Heaven, through Himself and His angels, for those on earth. Without God’s dream intervention, Jacob would probably have had fearful nightmares, or been too frightened to even sleep! Ever been in that position yourself? Remember to pray!

28:13-14

This appearance of the Lord God in Jacob’s dream, a vision; which is a theophany; is God’s way of clearly revealing Himself to Jacob and assuring him that He is the God of Creation, the Almighty and Powerful God of Abraham and Isaac. God assures Jacob that He will give the very land he is lying on to his descendants. God goes on to personally tell Jacob that his descendants would be as numerous as the dust of the ground, and that his descendants would spread all over the world. Further, God tells Jacob that his Offspring shall be the source of all blessing for all peoples. This reference to his Offspring refers directly to the Messiah, Who will be the ultimate Blessing for all Believers for all eternity. Notice that this is the same blessing promised to both Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 12, 13, 22 and 26. God confirms to Jacob His promised Covenant with Abraham and Isaac. Also, see Acts 3:25-26; and Galatians 3: 8-9, 16.

28:15

God continues His revelation to Jacob by assuring and promising him that He would be with him wherever he goes; that He would watch over and care for him and bring him back safely to this land. The Creator God promises Jacob that He will never leave him until He has done all of what He has promised. All of this is to assure Jacob that he be provided for and will be protected by God Himself, from all the evil that lies around and before him. This revelation clearly shows Jacob that God is his God, not just the God of Abraham and Isaac.

28:16

Jacob immediately wakes up from this startling revelation from God. He declares that certainly God is in this place and he was totally unaware of it! Jacob receives a literal “wake up call” from God! Are we usually unaware of the Truth that God is with us; He is for us; Our Creator is our Protector, our Guide, our very source of life? Are we aware that our very life and breath are all a continuous gift from our loving God? Without God we would cease to exist! Yet, most of us wander through each day just giving lip service to God; a passing quick prayer, then ignoring our Creator and Savior. What should our entire focus be on? Ourselves, or our Savior and Lord? Practice closing your eyes and mentally focus on God as your Creator, Savior, all powerful Protector and the very center of your life and existence! In Heaven you won’t want to take your eyes off Him! Why not begin now, making your Lord, God, Creator and Savior the very focus of your existence? We all need a personal relationship with God.

28:17-18

Jacob humbly fears and reverences God, realizing he has been personally selected by God and blessed and given personal promises from the Almighty Powerful God of the Universe! Jacob acknowledges that this is the house of God and the ‘gateway to Heaven’. Jacob has a complete change of attitude and his mind and heart will be changed forever by God’s powerful intervention in his life. God has also intervened in a personal and powerful way for you in the past; have you forgotten? Do you need to remember God’s call on your life; how He rescued you from your sinful, miserable dying life; to a life of Hope, Mercy, Forgiveness, Love and wonderful blessings of Eternal Life!? Thank God, right now, for all He has done for you; just as Jacob openly declared his appreciation and thankfulness for God’s Blessings on him by setting up the stone as a monument, and pouring oil on it in dedication to his own commitment to following God for the rest of his life.

28:19

Jacob names the place that God revealed Himself to him, Bethel, meaning the House of God. In our day and age, the ‘house of God’ dwells within each Believer. Close your eyes and personally thank God for graciously dwelling within your very being.

28:20-22

Now Jacob makes a solemn vow and promise to God, that if, or since, He will be with him and keep him on the correct path, or way; and provide him with food and clothing and all that is necessary so that he could once again return to his father’s house in peace; then, the Lord, God of the Universe would be his God. Jacob continues by promising that the stone he set up as a monument, would be a sacred place to him; and of all that God would give him he would faithfully give a tenth back to God. The ‘tenth’ was the same amount given by Abraham, which appears to be the amount required by God of his chosen people. Notice all the seeming‘conditions’ Jacob places on his promise to follow God and that the Lord God would be ‘his’ God! Keep in mind that Jacob wants to return in ‘peace’ to his father’s house; he certainly had not left in ‘peace’, yet he wants God to rectify his mistakes! Don’t we do the very same thing?

Do we also promise to follow and obey God, IF….? Yet God clearly tells us He knows what we need and He requires us to …”Seek first the Kingdom of God…Then all this will be given to you.” See Matthew 6:24-34. All of us love God only because He first loved us! See I John 4:19. Jacob underestimates the most powerful and important promises and blessings from God: The promised Messiah! Jacob was focused on earthly concerns, just as Jesus’ disciples were focused on earthly wants and needs. Yet Jesus chastised his disciples for their focus on earthly things rather than Heavenly Eternal Values. See Matthew 16:13-17, 21-27. What IS most valuable? Ask yourself: what is your focus on? Heavenly values or earthly stuff?

If you are unsure of just how committed you are to Heavenly Values, and want the TRUTH about yourself; read Psalm 139. Do you HONESTLY want an ATTITUDE CHANGE FOR YOURSELF? Then focus on verses 1 – 10, 23-24. Pray these verses into your life, ask Jesus to reveal the Truth to you, and to make the necessary HEART AND ATTITUDE changes; do not attempt to deceive yourself. After all, you can’t fool God!

The Blessing

Once again, this scripture is very important for our understanding of how one must persevere  for a lifetime to be obedient to God: 1 Corinthians 9:27 “But, I discipline my flesh, and bring it into subjection; lest when I preach the Gospel to others, I myself will become disqualified.” Keep in mind the figures of speech to help you as you do this study.  SIMILE: Resemblance; ALLEGORY: comparison by representation; METAPHOR: Representation; HYPOCATASTASIS: An implied resemblance or representation; TYPE: A figure or example of something future; ANALOGY: Resemblance in some particulars between things otherwise unlike.

27:1-4

Isaac is now very old, scripture indicates that he is now 137 years old.  This would also mean that Esau and Jacob are now about 75-76 years old.  Notice that Isaac is telling Esau that he will give him the Patriarchal Blessing IF he goes out and brings back his favorite dish made from venison.  Keep in mind that the family has plenty of meat from the herds they own; there is no reason for Esau to go out and hunt.   Yet, it appears that Isaac likes the “speciality” food, and probably the thrill of hearing about Esau’s physical exploits.  Whatever the underlying reasons, they all were based on fleshly desires; desires that were outside of self discipline.  Isaac, in his old age, was ignoring the command God had clearly given to him through the revelation to Rebekah regarding the Patriarchal Blessing.  The Blessing was to go to the son who would be the one to carry on the Spiritual and Physical Blessings needed to bring about the promised Messiah.  Esau clearly did not have the spiritual heart to obey God and discipline himself to be obedient in both physical and spiritual matters.  Jacob was the son chosen by God to be the recipient of the Patriarchal Blessing because he would have the heart and mind to obey God and seek His Will in his life.

27:5

Rebekah overhears what Isaac tells Esau.  Isaac, instead of openly declaring that he was ready to give the blessing to his oldest son, was trying to manipulate the situation and offer the blessing secretly to Esau when, and IF, he provides his favorite dish to satisfy his fleshly appetite.  The blessing should ALWAYS have been given before the family so that all could hear and participate in the giving of the Patriarchal Blessing.  This attempt to secretly give it to Esau was in direct disobedience to God’s clear command.

27:6-7

Rebekah immediately calls Jacob and reveals the conversation she has overheard.  She emphasizes that the Blessing is to be given to Esau BEFORE THE LORD.  This would indicate that she clearly understands that this would cause the blessing to be irrevocable.  Rebekah knows that this would violate God’s clear command to both she and Isaac, that the Blessing was to be given to Jacob, not Esau.  Rebekah knows that the Divine Inheritance is at stake here.  Not only that, but the future Messiah must come from the line of the one blessed and she is painfully aware that Esau has ignored God’s directives and flagrantly lived a life that is not pleasing to God.  Why do you believe she did not confront Isaac immediately about his attempt to thwart God’s commands?  Are there times that we fear confronting someone about their attempts to go against God’s Word, and instead try to use a different strategy of our own methods?  The problem is usually FEAR.  We fail to pray about a situation, and instead panic, and try to figure out a human resolution of our own.  Obviously, she would have had a good relationship with Jacob, and perhaps she and Isaac had unspoken hard feelings regarding the rebellious Esau.

27:8-10

Rebekah immediately begins to plot a human solution to the problem of the Blessing being given to the wrong son.  She uses her authority over Jacob to tell him that he is to obey her commands.  This would put Jacob in a position of dishonoring his mother if he refuses to go along with her plans.  Rebekah is certain that she can cook and prepare young kids to duplicate the flavors that her husband likes so much.  So she involves Jacob in her scheme to deceive Isaac so that he will give his Patriarchal Blessing to Jacob.

27:11-12

Jacob does not object to the deceptive plan, but instead points out the flaws in his mother’s scheme.  He and his brother are not identical twins, but rather fraternal twins.  Esau is quite hairy and a simple touch would let the blind Isaac know who he is dealing with. Not only that, but a blind person becomes very attuned to a person’s voice.  A blind friend could identify everyone in a group simply by hearing them speak only a word.  Jacob’s ultimate concern is that his father would perceive him as a cheat and an imposter, thereby receiving a horrible curse from his father instead of the desired Blessing.  Notice that Jacob did not indicate any guilt about the plot, only fear of the possibility of a curse.

27:13

Rebekah is so determined that God’s command regarding the Blessing will not be thwarted, that she willingly tells Jacob that she will take upon herself whatever curse is given by Isaac to Jacob.  Rebekah apparently believed that God’s wrathful judgment upon Isaac and her eldest son would be worse than any curse Isaac would give, if they disobeyed God’s command regarding His solemn commandment regarding the Blessing.

27:14

Now Jacob is forced to make a decision, a choice, between two God given commandments: Obedience to his mother, (Genesis 27:8) or Truthfulness.  Jacob chose the course he believed was more in line with God’s ultimate purpose.  Notice that neither of them showed any indication that they had prayed and asked God for HIS solution.  Do we ever do that?  Oh, I can handle this, I don’t need to ‘bother’ God about this situation. Jacob gets the kids and Rebekah prepares the meat dish exactly the way Isaac loves it.

27:15-17

Rebekah continues with more deceitfulness by taking Esau’s clothing and insists Jacob wear them; knowing the odor would help convince Isaac that Jacob is Esau.  She places the skins of the goats, like gloves, over Jacob’s hands; as well as a covering over his neck, so he will feel hairy like Esau, should Isaac touch him.  She then gives him the delicious meat dish to take to Isaac.

27:18-19

Jacob immediately goes into Isaac’s presence saying “My father.”  Isaac answers, “Here am  I, who are you, my son?”  Jacob immediately continues the deception with an outright lie: “I am Esau your firstborn; I have done what you commanded. Eat my game so that you may bless me.”  Jacob directly addresses the issue of the Blessing for the food.

27:20

Isaac is very suspicious and asks how he could have hunted, killed and prepared the game so quickly.  Jacob states that the Lord, your God, caused it to come to him.  Jacob is now telling  another lie to his father.

27:21

“But…”  We see that word that let’s us know Isaac is very suspicious and doesn’t believe it is Esau, but no doubt suspects that it is Jacob; remember he clearly hears Jacob’s voice.  Isaac demands that his son come close to him so that he can feel him to verify that he is Esau.  It is amazing that Jacob does not fear being exposed as a fraud at this point!

27:22-24

Jacob comes close to Isaac and he carefully feels him.  Isaac states that his voice is the voice of Jacob, yet his hands are like Esau’s.  Then Isaac confront Jacob by asking him outright: “Are you really my son, Esau?”  Jacob lies again and says “I am”. Then Isaac blesses him.  This would be the first of the blessings.  During all of this Jacob must be feeling miserable, knowing he is lying and deceiving his beloved father.

27:25-26

Isaac is probably still not convinced as he requests the ‘venison’ to eat it and then give the blessing.  So Jacob gives him the delicious meat and some wine.  Isaac eats the meat and drinks the wine, apparently being convinced that it is the ‘venison’.  (26.)  When Isaac finishing eating the meal and drinking the wine, then he requests that his son come and kiss him.  Isaac is still not convinced that the son is Esau, and probably intends to expose the fraud by smelling him and touching him on his neck during their hug.

27:27

As Isaac receives his son’s kiss, he smells his clothing and touches his neck.  He comments that the smell of his son Esau is as the field which the Lord has blessed.  Isaac is deceived by his senses: The touch, smell and taste override the hearing of Jacob’s voice.  We must be very careful, as we often allow ourselves to be convinced by some physical ‘proofs’ that are deceitful, when deep down, we have a spiritual sense that something is not Right and Truthful.  Jacob must have been terrified that not only would Isaac verify who he was, but that Esau would show up and the entire plot would be revealed and he would be cursed.

27:28-29

Now Isaac gives the Patriarchal Blessing to Jacob: “May God give you dew of the heavens, fatness of the earth, abundance of grain and wine; may people serve you and nations bow down to you, be master over your brothers and let your mother’s sons bow down to you.  Let everyone be cursed who curses you and favored with blessings who blesses you.”

This is the crucial Blessing God gave to Abraham that was to be for all generations for the chosen line of Abraham. Notice the simile, metaphor and hypocatastasis?  Jacob received the unconditional blessing by hiding behind the name and covering of his Fathers beloved firstborn son!  So do WE! We claim the name of Jesus and take the covering of His blood so that our sins are forgiven and we may receive the unconditional blessings of God forever!  However, we must be honest and truthful in claiming God’s Blessings.

27:30-31

God obviously intervened by allowing Jacob to receive the blessing and leave before Esau showed up with his game all prepared and ready to eat.  Esau immediately announces his presence and that Isaac should arise and eat and then bless him.  The ultimate consequences of our actions have long-term repercussions, even when it appears we have gotten away with some sort of deception or scheme.  Surely both Rebekah and Jacob realized that as soon as Esau showed up the deception would be revealed and both Esau and Isaac would be furious!

27:32-33

Isaac immediately asks “Who are YOU?”  Esau identifies himself as his “firstborn son, Esau.”  Isaac trembles and shakes violently from both anger and fear, realizing God had intervened, and he was deceived by Jacob into giving him the Blessing.  He tells Esau that someone else has come with ‘hunted game’ and he ate it and blessed him.  Once the Blessing is given it cannot be changed or revoked, it is permanent.

27:34

Esau cries with a great and bitter cry demanding that his father bless him also!  Yet only one Blessing may be given.  Read Hebrews 12: 16 – 17.

27:35

Isaac finally reveals that is was Jacob who came and took the Blessing he had promised Esau.  He correctly says he came with crafty cunning and treacherous deceit.  Yet now Isaac knew that God’s Will had prevailed regarding His Prophecy for both of his sons.

27:36

Esau then becomes enraged and states that Jacob took both his birthright and his Blessing.  He begs Isaac to still give him a blessing.  The blessing that Esau wants is NOT the spiritual blessing, but rather the material blessings of inheriting all his wealth.

27:37-38

Isaac then tells Esau that Jacob is his lord and master and that he has given all the people to him as servants and that all the material blessings are for Jacob.  He asks him, what can I do for you, my son?  Esau now breaks down crying, begging for some kind of a blessing.

27:39-40

Isaac gives the blessing for Esau which is a prophecy for his lineage: See Hebrews 11:20 “By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.”   Isaac’s blessing: “Your dwelling shall always come from the fruitfulness of the earth and the dew of the heavens.  By your sword you shall live and serve your brother until such time that you shall break his yoke from your neck.”  Esau had chosen to become a hunter and live off the land, rather than work the land.  He was unconcerned about spiritual matters and ignored his father and mother regarding honoring and following God. These prophecies for Esau’s decedents, the Edomites, will be fulfilled in 2 Kings 8:20 and 2 Chron. 21:8-10.

27:41-42

Esau now realizes that as long as Jacob is alive he cannot receive the material blessings and he is determined to kill his brother in order to get his hands on his father’s wealth.  Esau is so furious that he must be telling others of his anger, and threatens to kill Jacob; as his words and threats are told to Rebekah.  She sends for Jacob and warns him that Esau is proposing to kill him.

27:43-45

Rebekah again must use her authority to command her beloved son Jacob to leave their home and flee to her homeland in Haran; going to her brother Laban.  She tells him to stay there a ‘few days’ until Esau’s fury has turned away and he forgets what was done to him.  We know very well that Esau is NOT going to forget or forgive Jacob for anything.  Esau is selfish and self centered and has the character traits that will cause him to NOT forgive Jacob.  Rebekah is fearful that she may lose both her sons if Esau kills Jacob.  She tells Jacob that she will send for him when it is safe to return.  Yet, once Jacob leaves, she will never see her beloved son again.

27:46

Rebekah again complains to Isaac about the misery the wives of Esau (the daughters of Heth) are causing her.  She states that if Jacob takes one of the daughters of Heth for a wife, her life will not be worth living.  Rebekah is setting up the situation so that Isaac will send Jacob to Haran to obtain a wife, thereby removing him from the possibility of being murdered by Esau.

Deceit, Lies, Manipulation, Schemes, Plots, and everything else we contrive, always comes to some sort of a disaster in one way or another.  All parties were at fault in this separation and splitting of the family.  Isaac ignored God’s command; Esau ignored God; Rebekah chose deceit; and Jacob again became the deceiver.  The entire family was torn apart.  When our earthly families are torn apart we grieve, yet we must trust that God is using these situations to bring believers into a stronger relationship with Him.  Our Eternal Families are carefully chosen by God, for our very best interests and for all Believers.  Both Rebekah and Jacob should have prayed for God’s Will to be fulfilled.  Praying and seeking God’s Will in EVERY SITUATION is key to having a life that is peaceful, fulfilling and fruitful.  Sometimes trials and tribulations come our way despite our obedience to God.  Yet in many cases when we have failed to be in God’s Will, we have then caused our own suffering and heartache.  When any decision becomes necessary, FIRST always ask God for His wisdom, direction and guidance.