Jacob page 3

Jacob departs Haran. Genesis 31:1ff

Jacob had worked 14 years for his two wives, then Laban tricked him to stay on for another 6 years by encourage Jacob to get more possessions.
The sons and workers of Laban became jealous because by the work of God Jacob had become the owner of many possessions which they felt should be Laban’s. God loved Jacob because he was seeking to please God, God was allowing Jacob to become very rich, even though there is no record of any worship by Jacob. Laban was also changing in his attitude to Jacob.

After a period of 20 years God breaks His silence and communicates with Jacob. Genesis 31:3. Jacob over the 20 years had suffered but had become rich, incase Jacob decides to remain in this country God appears and tells Jacob to return to his home country of Canaan. Jacob has had a desire to return to his home for some time, see Genesis 30:25, but Jacob did not depart Laban until instructed by God.
Jacob speaks to his family out in the fields for security. He had noticed the hatred for him developing in Laban, and he told his family that God had instructed him to depart. Rachel and Leah are happy to obey God, so Jacob now plots how to leave.

Jacob runs. Genesis 31:19-55

Jacob arranges the family and his possessions ready to move out. Jacob now waits for a suitable time to leave Laban, this came when Laban went off to shear his sheep for three days. Jacob rapidly leaves the area, Rachel also steals and takes the images and idols of Laban. This action would have two affects on Laban, he could not worship and consult the images when he finds Jacob gone and secondly the customs of the time who ever had the household gods would be the primary heir to family possessions.
Laban was told of Jacobs departure when he was with his sheep, by the time Laban had returned home and then set out after Jacob must have been many days, the Bible only records that it took Laban and his family 7 days to catch up Jacob at mount Gilead, probable this was on the East side of the Jordan, near the promised land. It is at this point God moves and warns Laban in a dream, v24.

Jacob does not know that Rachel has taken Laban’s idols, so Laban is allowed to search all the tents by Jacob. Rachel had hidden the idols in a camel seat and sits upon it, claiming that the "custom of women was upon her". So Laban searches fruitlessly for them.
Following the search Jacob is very angry, he challenged Laban, "What is my trespass? what is my sin, that thou hast so hotly pursued after me?" He then reminds Laban of all the bad treatment he had received from Laban. "For 20 years I have worked for you, you have become rich, I looked after all your animals. I served for both of your daughters 14 years, then a further 6 years for the animals. If I had not been a relative you would have sent me off with nothing, God has seen and told you of your bad behaviour. v38-42.

Laban now suggests that he and Jacob make an agreement of separation, neither will pass the marked point towards the other. This is not a covenant of fellowship because of the words "The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another." but it is a "covenant of separation." At this point two very powerful people could not now trust each other and must separate, but they are relying on God to monitor what the other is doing. Following a sacrifice by Jacob and a night of relaxation the two separate.

Jacob moves on, now with God. Genesis 32:1->

Jacob must now face Esau whom he had cheated. Jacob must also see himself as he really was, God must become the most important in his life. As Jacob sets out the angels of God met him.
Jacob sends messengers ahead to Esau. The message sent acknowledges Esau is the senior brother, "speak unto my lord Esau; Thy servant Jacob saith .....I may find grace in thy sight. ", Jacob is telling Esau that he is not coming to claim his birthright. The messengers return to tell Jacob that Esau is coming to meet you with 400 men. Was Esau still angry? Jacob become afraid, v7. Though God had instructed Jacob to return to Canaan and angels had welcomed him and he had seen God protect him from Laban, but Jacob still tends to rely on his own plans, however he does come to God in prayer, v9-12, Jacob showed his humility, admits his unworthiness and need of mercy, called upon the God of his ancestors, but does not call Him his own God, the prayer still lacks real faith even though he knows and reminded God of His promises. Jacob then puts his own plans into operation, he was still Jacob the schemer, (always planning). Consider Phil 4:6,7.

Jacob’s plan

Instead of trusting God to protect him from Esau, he plots to give gifts to Esau and protect his possessions by dividing them up into separate packs, each pack of animals etc., to be separated by a large distance and when they met Esau they are to say "They be thy servant Jacob’s; it is a present sent unto my lord Esau: and, behold, also he is behind us. " Jacob has realized that his plan could fail, but hoped that Esau would see the gifts and be full of forgiveness by the time he reaches Jacob.
Jacob was his own enemy, his lack of faith in God was making life very difficult. God had promised his safety, yet Jacob still does not rely upon Him, consider Psalm 37:5. Jacob still did not fully trust God so God could not fulfil His promise. Jacob was still trying to pay off Esau, he was still not willing to admit his guilt and failures.

Jacob is alone. Genesis 32:24-32

After sending off the presents Jacob now sends his family to safety leaving him alone to wait for Esau. Jacob was now exactly where God wanted him, He could now deal with Jacob, his desires, self-righteousness, pride and living for himself only.
It was Jacob’s plan to not sleep that night and watch for any attack by Esau during the night, he had great care for his family. As he stood and watched a man appears and wrestles with Jacob all night. The man was unable to subdue Jacob so he touches the hollow of his thigh and the joint is dislocated and Jacob becomes lame for the rest of his life.

It was the Lord who wrestled with Jacob, why did He not subdue Jacob earlier? For the answer ask yourself "how long has God been fighting me and my desires? days, months, even years." We should be very thankful for God’s patience.

It was God’s plan that Jacob should realize his limits and submit to God on his own, Jacob had experienced the patience of God, see 2 Peter 3:9, the Lord is prepared to wait in love until the right time. Jacob had never been defeated by men, but this time it was a loving God who wanted Jacob to stop depending upon himself, it needed a physical failure for Jacob to submit. Consider the words of Jesus in Matt 10:39 and Luke 9:23,24, the Believer must be willing to submit what ever is required of God, make sure you are not still depending upon your old nature, the flesh life must die. Read Rom 6:6,11-13. What must God do to make us submit to Him?

Jacob could now no longer fight Esau physically, he was powerless to deal with the threat. It is at this point he seems to have realized who he was fighting. Now he had to depend upon God who could now take over as promised. Look at Genesis 32:26, Jacob seems to even needed physical support, he had to cling for his life. All that he had worked so hard for was now about to be lost. Now the stolen blessing from Esau was gone, he could only get it from the Lord.

From "Jacob" to "Israel."Genesis 32:3 :27-29

Jacob receives not only a blessing but a new name. Jacob meant "Deceiver" which he had lived up to well now he becomes "Israel" - "Prince of or with God", quite a change, it recognized Jacobs new character. Though Jacob had a new name we must remember that his old nature was still around and would occassionally reappear. In Genesis the name "Jacob" is used 45 times after Peniel and "Israel" only 23 times.

The name "Israel" showed the new relationship with God, he was now to be working and fighting for God rather than himself. Consider Eph 6:10-12; Phil 4:13.

God had now directly communicated with Jacob three times, the name that Jacob gave this place, "Peniel," showed that he knew he had been in God’s presence, Genesis 32:30. Look at others who had been changed when they came into God’s presence. Joshua 5:13-15; Isaiah 6:1; Jeremiah 1:4-9; Daniel 10:8-10; John 15:15; 1 John 1:3; Rev 1:13-19.

Jacob and Esau meet.

Jacob now moves forward to meet Esau, still trying to plan everything, instead of depending upon the control and protection of God. Jacob is still in fear of the situation, we read "And Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men. Jacob had just had a wonderful night with God which resulted in him becoming a new person, but fear again took over and Jacob reverts to do it his way. "He divided the children unto Leah, and unto Rachel, and unto the two handmaids." Jacob then organizes these groups to approach Esau. Consider 1 Cor 15:57,58; Phil 3:13,14; Luke 9:23
Jacob had already tried to buy Esau with the earlier gifts of animals, now as Jacob approaches Esau he bows seven times in submission. But Jacob should have relied upon God’s preparation for Esau was pleased to see him again. Jacob did not need to fear Esau , God had control of Esau. No one was going to harm God’s chosen one. "In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me." Psalm 56:11.

Esau asks about the gifts, then responds with, "I have enough, my brother; keep that thou hast unto thyself." But Jacob insists he takes the gifts as they show how God has blessed him.

Jacob Lies to Esau.

Esau wants Jacob to follow him, offering the protection of his 400 men, but Jacob wants to go his way, but uses the children and animals as an excuse for travelling slowly. Come back to Seir was Esau’s plan but Jacob had been instructed by God to return to his father home in Bethel, but he failed to tell Esau of this fact and lies that he will follow Esau back to his home, Jacob does not have the courage to tell Esau that he is following and trusting God. What did Esau think when Jacob fails to turn up as they had agreed.
A poor witness of a believer! Have you done this? Many are turned away from God by the poor witness of the Believer.

Jacob fails to obey God.

Jacob now sets out apparently obeying God’s instruction to return to Bethel, but stops at Succoth. We do not know why, perhaps the conditions for the animals were better, Jacob was seeking earthly advantages, not God’s obedience and instructions. Now Jacob is not where God wants him, so God makes it uncomfortable until he obeys.

Jacob moves a little. Genesis 33:18-20

Jacob gets the message and moves a little closer to Bethel. He enters the area of Canaan, but stops at the city of Shalem, a city of Shechem. "Shalem" means "peace." Jacob purchased some land and constructs a place of worship, as if he planned to stay, it became nearly 10 years, but Jacob was not to have peace for long.

Jacob has a family problem. Genesis 34:1-31

Jacob had still not fully obeyed God, now he begins to reap, through his family, the failure.
This time the problems come upon Jacobs children. Dinah, the only daughter of Leah, mixed with the local girls, she was seen by Shechem the son of Hamor, the local prince, desired her and raped her.

God considers that our bodies are not to be defiled, see 1 Cor 3:16,17; 1 Cor 6:12-20. The Believers body is the temple of God, the Holy Spirit lives within each of us. In fact we have all been purchased through the Blood of Christ, we belong to Him.

The Solution to the problem? Genesis 34:3,4

Shecham, who has fallen in love with Dinah, realizing what he has done, tries to arrange a marriage. This marriage would have been with a child of God and a child of Satan, a believer and unbeliever. Genesis 34:8-12 gives an account of how the father Hamour gives the reason for Jacob and his family to continue to live with the people of the area, "make marriages with us,".

This situation had developed slowly, first Jacob had not obeyed God, to be separated. Second Jacob had built up a relationship with the local people, the world. The daughter was attracted to the world, is the third condition, which resulted in the fourth, the desires of the world, Shechem’s action. The suggestion of intermarriage was the fifth state and this finally ends up in a terrible action by Jacob’s family.

Jacob’s sons plot a way of revenge for their sister Dinah, they use a religious covenant to achieve this. Their excuse for not being able to intermarry was that the people of the city had never been circumcised so the men must first be circumcised before marriages could be arranged. This was an evil excuse, for while the men of the city were recovering from the circumcision, the brothers of Dinah came into the city and murdered all the males who could not defend themselves. They then took all the animals which belonged to the people,and the women and children as prisoners. Jacob’s sons planned and carried out premeditated(planned) murder, such evil in the name of religion. Consider James 4:4; 2 Cor 6:14-17.
Jacob was not part of the murder plot of his sons, it would not have happened if he had obeyed God’s instructions. Jacob realized the terrible result of Simeon and Levi action. "You’ve made my name stink amongst the people here, they will hunt and slay us all" v30. Jacob was more concerned about the human effect of their action, not how evil the sin was and how dis-honouring to God. "What’s going to happen to me" was Jacob’s concern. He was ignoring the promise of God, to protect him, see Genesis 28:15.

Simeon and Levi try to explain their action, "they said, Should he deal with our sister as with an harlot?" Is it right to do evil to make things right? One sin cannot be covered by another. Jacob never really forgives Simeon and Levi, see Genesis 49:5-7, though it really was his fault for not obeying God. Let us note that a Believer will always have problems if they associate with the world. Consider the words of Jesus in His prayer,John 17:6-23.

Jacob has now reached the lowest point in his life, he was hated by the people around him, his family were guilty of murder, but God has not left Jacob, "God said unto Jacob, "Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God," God never failed Jacob, He will never fail us.

Jacob obeys.

Jacob now departs for Bethel, but first he makes sure the separation will be final. Jacob prepares his family to meet God. "Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments: 3 And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went. 4 And they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which were in their hand, and all their earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem. " Genesis 35:2-4. The family obey, for Jacob is now obeying and speaking the instructions of God. The things of Satan can never be used for the work and praise of God, they must be buried. (Earrings are often used in evil acts, as recorded in the Bible, see Exodus 32:2; Hosea 2:13;).
Jacob makes for Bethel, but God is keeping His promise, "they journeyed: and the terror of God was upon the cities that were round about them, and they did not pursue after the sons of Jacob."

Jacob arrives at last and builds an alter. Genesis 35:7ff

"And Jacob built there an altar, and called the place El bethel: because there God appeared unto him, when he fled from the face of his brother. " "El-bethel" means "The God of the house of God." Jacob has now knows Him as his personal God, the God of all Believers. There is only one Head, look at Eph 1:22,23; 1 Cor 12:12,13; Eph 4:14,16.

Last time Jacob was at this place he was running away from Esau, now he returns a rich man, However, there is a danger for him at this point, he might think "he did it all by himself," consider James 4:6-10. Jacob does not fail, he is full of faith and knows that it was the blessings of God, no more planning and scheming. This explains why Jacob is listed as a man of faith in Hebrews 11:17-21. Jacob now has a close fellowship with God, Genesis 35:13-15 and creates a place of worship.

This shows that God will never fail a Believer, He has great patience with His people, read Rom 8:28-39; Phil 3:13,14, also bear in mind the warning to Ephesus, Rev 2:5.

A Time of Sorry.

Jacob suffers two sad times;-
1) Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse dies, she seems to have been with Jacob a long time.
2) While on the final part of the Journey to Bethlehem, Rachel, Jacob’s beloved wife dies in child birth, Genesis 35:16.
The baby was named by Rachel "Benoni," meaning "the son of sorrow," but Jacob named the baby "Benjamin,"- "son of my right hand." Jacob buries Rachel and creates a pillar to mark the spot, for someone very precious to him.

Reubin’s sin. Genesis 35:22

As the journey continued back to Jacob’s home, Reubin committed a terrible sin, he committed fornication with Jacob’s concubine. ( In the Bible times a concubine was a woman who was united with a man, similar but of lower rank to a normal wife. THE CONCUBINE WAS A WIFE OF SECONDARY RANK.) So Bilhah was effectively the wife of Reuben’s father, Jacob. We are told "that Israel knew of it," We are not told until later Genesis 49:3,4 what was Israel’s action over the sin of Reubin. In 1 Chronicles 5:1,2 we are told that Reuben lost his birthright, it was given to the son’s of Joseph.

Isaac Dies.

Jacob continues back to his father in Mamre, the father he had not seen for 30 years, can you imagine that meeting! Jacob cares for his father for the next 13 years when he died at the age of one hundred and eighty years. Esau and Jacob bury him together.
Jacob may have cheated Esau out of his birthright, but now it was his by divine instruction. The family was now his responsibility.
Genesis 36:6-8 tells us that Esau left the area. Esau (Later to become Edom nation) completely separated himself from the birthright and fellowship of God.

The End Years.

During these years we have many stories about the family, the relationships between the brothers, pride, anger and jealousy were all present, but God protected the family during these years. These years also shows that the patience of God with Jacob was rewarded with a life of worship by Jacob, however, we can see that he still suffered from what he sowed, for Jacob’s son, Joseph, was sold by his brothers, just as God had planned. See Genesis 36 to 46.