JACOB HEADS HOME

 REVIEW:

• Esau and Jacob (twins) were born to Isaac and Rebecca
• Esau was born first
• As young men, Jacob (which means deceiver) bought his brother's birthright for a bowl of stew
• Later - with the help of his mother - Jacob deceived Isaac and stole his brother's blessing
• Esau threatened to kill Jacob, so his mother sent him to her homeland to find a wife and save him from his brother
• Upon arriving in Haran, Jacob begins working for his uncle Laban
• He agrees to work for seven years to have Laban's daughter, Rachel, as his wife
• After seven years, Laban tricks him and gives him his daughter, Leah, instead
• Jacob agrees to work seven more years and immediately marries Rachel as well
• Leah and her handmaiden, and Rachel and her handmaiden give Jacob twelve sons over the years
• God blesses Jacob in the management of the flocks and his wealth grows significantly
• After twenty years, God tells Jacob to return to his homeland
• Jacob leaves without telling Laban, who pursues him for seven days and finally catches up with him in Gilead
• God warns Laban in a dream to do no harm to Jacob

It's interesting that Scripture doesn't give a clear indication that Jacob's wives, or even Jacob himself, had been solely devoted to God.  They had seen Him protect them, and bless them, but they had yet to make a clear committment to worship Him exclusively!  Jacob refers to God as the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac [v.42].  Eventually, God will be known as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, but at this point, Jacob hasn't fully committed.

Laban and Jacob have an uncomfortable confrontation.  Laban feels that everything Jacob has is his.  Jacob reminds Laban that he worked for twenty years for everything that he has.  

In the midst of all this, Rachel had stolen her father's household gods and hidden them in her saddle.  She refuses to allow him to search her, making the excuse that she is having her period.  The matter is left unresolved.  

Ancient law, such as the Hurrian, provided for part of the bride payment to be reserved for the woman herself.  Possession of the household gods insured the right of inheritance;  hence, Rachel may have sought compensation for the loss of the bride payment.

When Jacob suggests to Leah and Rachel that thy leave, they respond:

Do we still have any share in the inheritance of our father's estate?  Does he not regard us as foreigners?  Not only has he sold us, but he has used up what was paid for us.  Surely all the wealth that God took away from our father belongs to us and our children.  [vs.14-16]

In spite of the disagreement, Jacob and Laban build a pillar together and make an agreement not to cross that barrier in violence toward one another.  They eat together and bless one another.  Then, Laban kisses his daughters and grandchildren and heads back to Haran.  

The next morning, Jacob resumed his journey and was met by the angels of God [32:1].  

But caution is in the air, for he still has to deal with the wrath of his brother, Esau!...

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God is clearly at work in Jacob's life!  God has provided family, servants, and flocks for Jacob.  Now God has protected Jacob from the potential violence of his father-in-law.  Before the dreadful meeting with his brother, Esau, God sends an army of angels to encourage Jacob and reassure him of God's presence and protection!  

But this all took place 3,500 years ago, and after all, Jacob was one of the Patriarchs!  Does God still exhibit this kind of care over His children?  Is God watching over us with the same kind of commitment?  Is God still blessing, providing, guiding and protecting us - like He did for Jacob?

YES! YES! YES!

This whole story is one of God wooing and winning Jacob's heart and commitment.  

Our Bible tells us that:    [II Peter 3:9]

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.     

Psalm 121:4

...indeed, he who watches over Israel [Jacob] will neither slumber nor sleep. 

The Apostle Paul writes in Philippians 4:19 (New Living Translation):

And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

And as Barretta used to say:  You can take that to the bank!  :-)