Genesis 35:9 says, And God appeared unto Jacob again, when he came out of Padanaram, and blessed him.  Jacob was following God's guidance and God once again appeared to Jacob and blessed him.  As followers of Christ, we don't really have to wait for God to appear to us, since the Holy Spirit indwells us, but we must still follow God's guidance to be blessed by Him in everyday life.  Verse ten states, And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel.  When Jacob wrestled with the angel, his name was changed to Israel, but he had still been called Jacob by everyone.  God once again told Jacob that his name would be Israel.  Verse eleven declares, And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins;  God left no doubt as to Who He was, just as He will leave no doubt with us today.  God reaffirmed His promise made to Abraham, then Isaac, and now Jacob, now Israel, to make them into a great nation.  God does not forget His promises, no matter how long it takes for them to be fulfilled.  Verse twelve adds, And the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to thee I will give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the land.  God's promise was an on going promise, just as His promise of everlasting life is today.  It is our responsibility as Christians to share the gospel with others so that they may claim that promise as well.  This is how we are to be fruitful and multiply.  Verse thirteen states, And God went up from him in the place where he talked with him.   God did not stay with Jacob continually as the Holy Spirit does with us today.  Verse fourteen says, And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with him, even a pillar of stone: and he poured a drink offering thereon, and he poured oil thereon.  Jacob still identifies himself as Jacob, though I don't think this was in disobedience to God.  He dedicated the place where God talked with him.  Wherever we are today as followers of Christ should be dedicated to God, since He is with us continually.  Verse fifteen adds, And Jacob called the name of the place where God spake with him, Bethel. Jacob named the place Bethel.  Verse sixteen states, And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour.  They did not stay at Bethel, just as we cannot stay at the particular place where we first meet Christ as our Savior and Lord.  We as his followers have a commission to go into all the world to share the gospel.  Verse seventeen declares, And it came to pass, when she was in hard labour, that the midwife said unto her, Fear not; thou shalt have this son also.  When they got to Ephrath,  Rachel was in hard labor.  She was now having her second child.  Verse eighteen adds, And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin.  Rachel died giving birth to her second son, who was named Benjamin.  What should have been a day of celebration for Jacob also became a day of mourning, but God was still with Jacob just as He had been since entering into a personal relationship with Jacob.  God is with us today in all the highs and lows, if we have that personal relationship with Him.  Verse nineteen states, And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem.  As already stated, Rachel died and was buried at Bethlehem.  Verse twenty adds, And Jacob set a pillar upon her grave: that is the pillar of Rachel’s grave unto this day.  Jacob marked her grave with a pillar.  Rachel was the one that Jacob loved the most and worked the hardest for, and now she was gone, but Jacob still had things to do.  We cannot allow grief at the loss of someone we love to allow us to stop doing what God has called us to do.

Genesis 35:1 says,  And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother.  God now gave Jacob directions.  Jacob was to go to Bethel, dwell there, and build an altar to God.  God was specific about Who He was.  He was the God Who appeared to Jacob when he fled from Esau.  As followers of Christ, we should always be listening for God's instructions, but once we accept Christ as our Savior, God should not have to remind us Who He is.  Verse two states, Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments:  Jacob told those of his household to put away any strange gods they had and to be clean before God.  We likewise must put away any strange gods that we may have.  I believe that this means more than just putting them out of sight to be called on later, but means putting them out of our life altogether.  Verse three adds, 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.  Jacob said they were going to Bethel, and there he would make an altar to the God Who answered him in the day of his distress.  We must always remember that God will be with us in our times of distress, if we have accepted Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Verse four declares, 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.  His family gave Jacob all their strange gods and anything associated with them, and he buried them.  Jacob did not try to sell them or profit from them.  We must remove all false gods, and they do not have to be statues, from our lives, without concern for what it might cost us materially.  Verse five says, And 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 and his family journeyed under God's protection, and no one harmed them.  Spiritually today, we as followers of Christ journey under God's protection, and even if we were to be physically destroyed, no one can harm us spiritually, as long as we remain faithful to God.  Verse six states, So Jacob came to Luz, which is in the land of Canaan, that is, Bethel, he and all the people that were with him.  Then verse seven adds, And he built there an altar, and called the place Elbethel: because there God appeared unto him, when he fled from the face of his brother.  Jacob got to where God told him to go and built an altar, because he remembered that was where God had appeared to him.  As Christians, there should be a place that we can remember where we first met God and entered into a personal relationship with Him.  Verse eight declares, But Deborah Rebekah’s nurse died, and she was buried beneath Bethel under an oak: and the name of it was called Allonbachuth.  Jacob was back in touch with his family, and was most likely taking care of his mother's old nurse until she died.  She was not a blood relative, but she was still treated as a part of the family.  As followers of Christ, we certainly are not all kin to each other in earthly terms, nor are we all of the same status in life.  Still, we are to treat each other as a part of the same family, because we are brothers and sisters through the blood of Christ.

Genesis 34:25 says, And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brethren, took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males.  Diana's brothers had never planned to accept Shechem as her husband.  Their plan had been to kill him Shechem and all the males of his city when they were basically incapacitated from being circumcised.  We cannot use the gospel, or anything that identifies us as God's people, as a method to harm or destroy others, and we especially cannot use it to destroy whole groups of people.  Shechem was the one who was guilty, and maybe Hamor was guilty of not punishing him, but all the men were destroyed.  We are not told that these brothers asked God's guidance in there actions.  I don't believe that we can ever have a "just kill them all and let God sort it out" attitude.  We are to reach out to even our enemies with God's love.  Verse twenty-six states, And they slew Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah out of Shechem’s house, and went out.  The brothers killed Hamor and Shechem and took Dinah home.  Shechem should have been held accountable for his actions, and Hamor held accountable for not doing so.  Still, the question is were the brothers justified in using an act that identified people as God's people to enable them to be judge, jury, and executioner of so many people.  Even though it seems that Hamor and Shechem were intending to use this identification with God's people to their advantage, we have to ask if this justified the action of Dinah's brothers.  We cannot allow the possible actions of others to dictate our actions as followers of Christ, but must always act under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  Verse twenty-seven declares, The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city, because they had defiled their sister.  Then verse twenty-eight adds, They took their sheep, and their oxen, and their asses, and that which was in the city, and that which was in the field,  Then verse twenty-nine concludes, And all their wealth, and all their little ones, and their wives took they captive, and spoiled even all that was in the house.   Not only did the brothers kill all the males of the city, but they took all of their possessions as well.  Basically, they profited by what had happened to Dinah.  We cannot allow something bad happening to another follower of Christ to be an excuse for us to profit materially from the action.  Verse thirty declares, And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.  Jacob told Simeon and Levi that they had brought trouble to him, since the people around him outnumbered his group.  Jacob was still not relying on God's promise as he should have.  As followers of Christ, we do not have to live in fear of those around us, but we also must not use our relationship to God as a means to mistreat them.  Verse thirty-one asks, And they said, Should he deal with our sister as with an harlot?  Though the brothers had a reason to make sure that Shechem was held accountable for his actions, what they did was much more than that.  We cannot justify destroying groups of people simply because of the actions of a few or because of what they might do in the future, and we should never profit materially from such actions.  They also took the women and children, but I don't believe that they took the to become a real part of their family. 

Genesis 34:13 says, And the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father deceitfully, and said, because he had defiled Dinah their sister:  Diana's brothers answered Shechem and Hamor, but they hadn't forgotten what Shechem did to her.  Sometimes our answers may be influenced by the auctions of others.  Verse fourteen states, And they said unto them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; for that were a reproach unto us:  The brothers said that they could not give Dinah to someone who wasn't circumcised, since that would be a reproach to them.  Circumcision was a sign that someone was a one of God's people.  As Christians, we today might say that we didn't want our sister to marry a non Christian, but it takes more than some physical act to make someone a Christian.  Verse fifteen declares, But in this will we consent unto you: If ye will be as we be, that every male of you be circumcised;  This could have been seen as a good thing, since it would show Sechem's and Hamor's willingness to be identified with God's people.  Still, the motivation of everyone involved was wrong.  We cannot attempt to get someone to identify as a follower of Christ for our own purposes, nor can someone claim to be a follower of Christ simply for their own benefit and make it true.  Verse sixteen adds, Then will we give our daughters unto you, and we will take your daughters to us, and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people.  The brothers of Dinah told Sechem and Hamor if they would be circumcised, then they would give Dinah to Senechem as a wife.  Once more, we cannot use becoming a follower of Christ as a means to attain an earthly goal.  Verse seventeen continues,  But if ye will not hearken unto us, to be circumcised; then will we take our daughter, and we will be gone.  The brothers of Dinah, even though they identified her as their sister, said do this or we will take her and be gone.  We can never use becoming a follower of Christ as a means to an earthly end, though it was never the intention of the brothers that Sechem and Hamor become a part of God's family.  Verse eighteen states, And their words pleased Hamor, and Shechem Hamor’s son.  This sounded good to Sechem and Hamor, but the act had no spiritual meaning to them.  Some people today are willing to claim to be followers of Christ simply to achieve an earthly goal.  Verse nineteen declares, And the young man deferred not to do the thing, because he had delight in Jacob’s daughter: and he was more honourable than all the house of his father.  Shechem was willing to go along with this demand.  Verse twenty adds, And Hamor and Shechem his son came unto the gate of their city, and communed with the men of their city, saying,  Then verse twenty-one continues, These men are peaceable with us; therefore let them dwell in the land, and trade therein; for the land, behold, it is large enough for them; let us take their daughters to us for wives, and let us give them our daughters.  Sechem and Hamor basically told their people that they would benefit from this agreement as well.  Verse twenty-two states,  Only herein will the men consent unto us for to dwell with us, to be one people, if every male among us be circumcised, as they are circumcised.  Sechem and Hamor said that only by being circumcised could they become one people.  Even if we demanded that everyone today be baptized, that would not make us all a part of God's family just as being circumcised without faith would not make these people a part of God's family.  Verse twenty-three asks, Shall not their cattle and their substance and every beast of theirs be ours? only let us consent unto them, and they will dwell with us.   Sechem and Hamor told the people that they would all benefit from this.  They said what was Jacob's would become theirs.  Verse twenty-four declares, And unto Hamor and unto Shechem his son hearkened all that went out of the gate of his city; and every male was circumcised, all that went out of the gate of his city.  All the males agreed to this demand and were circumcised.  No one involved was really seeking God's will in this.  We cannot use Christianity as a means to physically or materially take advantage of others if we are followers of Christ.

Genesis 34;1 says, And Dinah the daughter of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land.  Dinah went to visit some of the women that already lived there.  Jacob had been afraid of Esau, but he evidently wasn't too concerned about the other people he met or he would have still been keeping Dinah protected.  When we worry, which God tells us we shouldn't do, often the worry that we do have is misplaced to start with.  Verse two states, And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her, and lay with her, and defiled her.  Dinah was defiled by Shechem, the son of the prince of the country.  Shechem had probably gotten pretty much anything he wanted because of his position of power.  There are still people in power today who feel that they should be able to do anything they want to do.  Verse three adds, And his soul clave unto Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the damsel, and spake kindly unto the damsel.  We are told that afterwards Shechem felt deeply that he loved Dinah.  He evidently had little respect and concern for her to start with though.  His feelings afterward could not change his actions before, nor can changing our minds about how we feel about someone we have harmed change our actions before if we have harmed them.  Verse four states, And Shechem spake unto his father Hamor, saying, Get me this damsel to wife.  Shechem went to his father and asked him to get Dinah for his wife.  He never asked Jacob, or Dinah for that matter, but simply felt that Hamor could do anything he wanted to do.  There are still people today who feel that their family's wealth and power entitle them to anything they want, but even if we become rich and powerful, as followers of Christ, we must never have that attitude.  Verse five declares, And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter: now his sons were with his cattle in the field: and Jacob held his peace until they were come.  When Jacob heard what had happened to Dinah, his sons were in the field, so he didn't do anything until they returned.  Jacob could have just stormed off after Dinah, but he waited until he had more help.  We need to act in the best way possible when we encounter injustice in the world.  Verse six says, And Hamor the father of Shechem went out unto Jacob to commune with him.  Hamor went to Jacob to commune, or talk, with him in an attempt to do what Shechem wanted.  Verse seven states, And the sons of Jacob came out of the field when they heard it: and the men were grieved, and they were very wroth, because he had wrought folly in Israel in lying with Jacob’s daughter; which thing ought not to be done.  Jacob's sons were very angry when they heard what had happened to Dinah.  We today should be upset when we hear of injustice in the world, but we should look to God for guidance in how to deal with it.  We cannot just be ruled by our anger.  Verse eight states, And Hamor communed with them, saying, The soul of my son Shechem longeth for your daughter: I pray you give her him to wife.  Hamar said that Shechem's soul longed for Dinah and asked that Jacob give her to Shechem as a wife.  Shechem was still only looking for what he wanted , after he had already treated Dinah with no respect.  We cannot justify sinful actions by suddenly attempting to treat those we have mistreated with respect.  Verse nine adds, And make ye marriages with us, and give your daughters unto us, and take our daughters unto you.  Hamar proposed that Jacob give Dinah to them in marriage and then they would give their daughters in marriage to Jacob's sons.  Basically, Hamar was suggesting combining the two families.  This was definitely not God's plan.  Verse ten continues, And ye shall dwell with us: and the land shall be before you; dwell and trade ye therein, and get you possessions therein.  Shechem was offering to allow Jacob to live there in peace and use the land.  God had already promised Jacob that he would be the father of a great nation, which was the continuation of His promise to Abraham and Isaac.  Jacob didn't need Hamar to accomplish this.  We today have the promise of everlasting life through Christ, and we must never think that we should compromise with the world to claim it.  Verse eleven states, And Shechem said unto her father and unto her brethren, Let me find grace in your eyes, and what ye shall say unto me I will give.  Now, Shechem was offering anything that Jacob and his sons wanted for the right to marry Dinah.  We should never feel that money can erase sin.  Shechem evidently felt that money would justify anything.  Verse twelve adds, Ask me never so much dowry and gift, and I will give according as ye shall say unto me: but give me the damsel to wife.  Shechem was willing to pay anything to get what he wanted.  Some people today feel that their riches should entitle them to anything they want, but this is not what God says.

Genesis 33:12 says, And he said, Let us take our journey, and let us go, and I will go before thee.  Esau said that they should return home and that he would lead.  The reconciliation was complete.  Esau no longer wanted to kill Jacob, and Jacob no longer feared Esau.  When we reconcile with others under God's guidance, we should then be traveling in the same direction, going toward our everlasting home.  Verse thirteen states, And he said unto him, My lord knoweth that the children are tender, and the flocks and herds with young are with me: and if men should overdrive them one day, all the flock will die.  Jacob expressed his concern about his family and his flocks to Esau.  Some were young and couldn't travel very fast without possibly harming them.  I believe that we need to understand that some of our fellow believers are younger in faith than we are and may not be able to travel as fast as we do in our journey for God.  We should never demand that they travel faster than they can just to keep up with us.  Verse fourteen adds, Let my lord, I pray thee, pass over before his servant: and I will lead on softly, according as the cattle that goeth before me and the children be able to endure, until I come unto my lord unto Seir.  Again calling Esau lord, Jacob asked him to go ahead at his own speed and promised that he would catch up to him.  We may not travel at the same speed in our spiritual journey, but as followers of Christ, we can promise to end up at the same place one day, and that is our heavenly home.  Verse fifteen declares, And Esau said, Let me now leave with thee some of the folk that are with me. And he said, What needeth it? let me find grace in the sight of my lord.  Esau offered to leave some of his men to accompany Jacob, but Jacob said he didn't need them.  Jacob had God's protection, though he often seemed to forget that fact, so he didn't need Esau's men to protect Him.  When we are truly following God's will, we do not need to rely on anyone in this world to protect us.  Ultimately, we must rely on God alone, though it is good to know that we are not alone in following Christ.  Verse sixteen states, So Esau returned that day on his way unto Seir.  Esau left that day on his journey home, his relationship with Jacob now restored.  Neither had mentioned the birthright.  We may at times allow the things of this world, which the birthright really was, to control our attitude towards others, only to realize later on that they don't really matter.  Verse seventeen says, And Jacob journeyed to Succoth, and built him an house, and made booths for his cattle: therefore the name of the place is called Succoth.  When Jacob got to Succoth, he stopped for awhile.  Then verse eighteen adds, And Jacob came to Shalem, a city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padanaram; and pitched his tent before the city.  After resting up, Jacob continued on to Canaan.  We may need to pause and rest occasionally in our spiritual journey, but we must never allow things in this world to keep us from our journey to our heavenly home.  Verse nine states, And he bought a parcel of a field, where he had spread his tent, at the hand of the children of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for an hundred pieces of money.  Though God had promised Jacob this land, he didn't just claim it because of that promise, but he bought it.  We cannot just take what belongs to other people and claim that God has already given us the right to do so.  Verse twenty declares, And he erected there an altar, and called it EleloheIsrael.  After Jacob bought the land, he built an altar to God.  As followers of Christ, we should always let the world know that God is the One Who is responsible for our successes in life, and we should likewise let the world know that He is with us even in our failures.  We must simply always give God the glory.

Genesis 33:1 says, And Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men. And he divided the children unto Leah, and unto Rachel, and unto the two handmaids.  Jacob saw Esau coming with four hundred men, so he separated his children with their mothers.  Verse two adds, And he put the handmaids and their children foremost, and Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph hindermost.  Jacob was still playing favorites.  He still favored Leah and her children over the handmaidens and their children, but he favored Rachel and her son most.  Jacob put them where he felt they would be the safest or most protected.  When we encounter possible danger in the world today, we as followers of Christ, must stand united and we can never play favorites.  Since God does not divide His children, those who accept Christ as Savior and Lord, into categories and love some more than others, neither should we.  Verse three continues, And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.  At least Jacob did not try to hide behind his wives and children.  He went out humbly to meet Esau, bowing seven times along the way.  Though by the blessing of Isaac Jacob was in power over Esau, he did not meet him that way.  Even though we as followers of Christ are in a morally superior position to the lost of the world, we cannot ever attempt to lord it over them.  We are still simply sinners saved by grace.  Verse four declares, And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.  This was not the greeting that Jacob had envisioned.  Esau met him as a long separated brother and not as an enemy.  Sometimes, we fear and prepare for the worst when it never happens.  Jacob still had not fully trusted God to keep him safe.  We must never allow fear to keep us from acting in faith.  Verse five declares, And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, Who are those with thee? And he said, The children which God hath graciously given thy servant.  Esau saw the women and children and asked Jacob who they were.  Jacob said that they were the children that God had generously blessed him with.  He did not say who the women were, because I still don't believe that he could have said that God blessed him with more than one wife.  God may bless us when we do something outside His will, but we can never claim that it was His will that we did things our way.  Verse six states, Then the handmaidens came near, they and their children, and they bowed themselves.  Then verse seven adds, And Leah also with her children came near, and bowed themselves: and after came Joseph near and Rachel, and they bowed themselves.  Jacob's family came to Esau as Jacob had divided them and bowed to him.  They may not have known everything that had happened between Esau and Jacob, but they did know that Jacob felt threatened by Esau.  We may not always know everything that has happened in the lives of those that we are closest to, but we must stand with them by faith if we feel that they are in danger.  Verse eight says, And he said, What meanest thou by all this drove which I met? And he said, These are to find grace in the sight of my lord.  Esau asked Jacob the meaning of the flocks that Jacob had sent to him.  Jacob said they were a gift to Esau so that Esau would show grace to him.  We should never attempt to bribe others if we have done wrong by them, but should simply ask for their forgiveness.  We certainly should never attempt to bribe God, but must simply always rely on His grace.  Verse nine proclaims, And Esau said, I have enough, my brother; keep that thou hast unto thyself.  Esau didn't want the gifts that Jacob had sent to him.  Whether it was the time that had passed or his own success, Esau was no longer angry with Jacob.  We should never let fear determine how we approach others, since very often these fears are unfounded, and as followers of Christ we certainly cannot allow something that happened years ago to determine our relationship with someone else today.  This is especially true if we were the ones in the wrong.  Verse ten states, And Jacob said, Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found grace in thy sight, then receive my present at my hand: for therefore I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God, and thou wast pleased with me.  Then verse eleven adds, Take, I pray thee, my blessing that is brought to thee; because God hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough. And he urged him, and he took it.  Instead of attempting to cheat Esau, Jacob insisted that Esau take the gifts.  Jacob said that God had richly blessed him and that he had enough.  We need to acknowledge that God has richly blessed us with salvation through our faith in Christ, and this should be enough.  Any earthly blessings that God gives us we should be willing to share with others, but above all else we must be willing to share the gospel.  We cannot force anyone to accept the gospel, but we need to humbly present it to them.

Genesis 32:22 says, And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two womenservants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok.  Jacob took his family over the ford at Jabbok.  He was progressing a little farther toward his home.  Verse twenty-three states, And he took them, and sent them over the brook, and sent over that he had.  Jacob was separating himself from his family at this time.  Matthew Henry says it was so he could be alone in seeking God's blessing.  There may come a time when we need to be alone with God, especially if we are wrestling with difficult decisions.  Though it is good to know that others are praying for us, ultimately we must stand alone before God.  Verse twenty-four declares, And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.  When Jacob was alone, he wrestled with a man, or really an angel, until the breaking of the day.  Knowing the power of angels, we have to know that the only way Jacob could have stood a chance against the angel was if God was giving Jacob the strength.  We cannot hope to win in a fight against God's angels unless God is using this struggle to teach us more about our relationship with Him.  Verse twenty-five adds, And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.  When the angel saw that he wasn't winning in his fight he disjointed Jacob's thigh with a touch.  I believe that the angel had the power to completely disable Jacob, but that this was not God's will.  Sometimes, as we struggle with spiritual questions, we may in effect come out battered and bruised, but God will keep us from being spiritually destroyed.  Verse twenty-six continues, And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.  The angel requested that Jacob let him go because the morning was coming.  If we wrestle with God, ultimately we simply have to let go of our own strength and abilities and allow God to guide and bless us.  Verse twenty-seven asks, And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.  The angel asked Jacob his name, and he said Jacob, which meant supplanter.  A name in that time generally had a meaning.  For Jacob, it signified his nature.  Verse twenty-eight concludes, And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.  The angel changed Jacob's name to Israel, signifying that Jacob had wrestled with God and had prevailed.  I know some churches today change a person's name when thay are baptized, or so I have been told, but the significance here was not the name change but the change in Jacob's nature after his encounter with the angel.  Likewise, when we truly meet God, our nature should be changed for the better.  Verse twenty-nine says, And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.  Jacob wanted to know the angel's name, but was told that was unnecessary.  We do not need to know everything when we struggle in our faith, but we just need to accept God's answer when it comes.  Verse thirty states, And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.  Jacob named the place Peniel, meaning that he had seen God face to face and that his life had been spared.  Jacob did not say that he had beaten God, but that God had spared his life.  As followers of Christ, we do not beat God at anything, but are only given the assurance that He will bless us with everlasting life with Him.  Verse thirty-one declares, And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh. After a night of struggling, the morning came, as it always will, even if we find ourselves struggling spiritually.  Verse thirty-two adds, Therefore the children of Israel eat not of the sinew which shrank, which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day: because he touched the hollow of Jacob’s thigh in the sinew that shrank.  Since Jacob had the hollow of his thigh touched, his descendants did not eat of the sinew that shrank, in the animals that they did eat.  If we have spiritual practices today, we need to make sure that they are based on Biblical principles.

Genesis 32:13 says, And he lodged there that same night; and took of that which came to his hand a present for Esau his brother;  Jacob prepared a present for Esau.  Even if Jacob had the birthright, it would do him no good if Esau killed him.  If we have cheated someone, we likewise may have a reason to fear them.  Verse fourteen states, Two hundred she goats, and twenty he goats, two hundred ewes, and twenty rams,  Then verse fifteen adds, Thirty milch camels with their colts, forty kine, and ten bulls, twenty she asses, and ten foals.  Jacob prepared a sizable gift for Esau.  Jacob was still relying more on his own abilities than he was on God's promise.  As followers of Christ, if we have wronged someone today, the first thing we need to do is ask God's forgiveness and then seek His guidance on how to deal with the situation.  Of course, this will probably always involve some kind of restitution.  Verse sixteen states, And he delivered them into the hand of his servants, every drove by themselves; and said unto his servants, Pass over before me, and put a space betwixt drove and drove.  Jacob was sending his servants to deliver the animals, a drove at a time.  Jacob was still more concerned with himself than he was with his servants.  We cannot expect someone else to face the consequences of our sins.  No matter what he did, ultimately Jacob was going to have to face Esau, just as ultimately we have to face the responsibility of our own sins, even though Christ paid the penalty for them.  We cannot just act as though we have no responsibility for them, even though we are forgiven through our faith in Christ.  Verse seventeen declares, And he commanded the foremost, saying, When Esau my brother meeteth thee, and asketh thee, saying, Whose art thou? and whither goest thou? and whose are these before thee?  Then verse eighteen adds, Then thou shalt say, They be thy servant Jacob’s; it is a present sent unto my lord Esau: and, behold, also he is behind us.  Jacob told the servant that when he met Esau, and he asked them who they were, they were to tell Esau that they were a present from his servant Jacob.  Jacob did not claim his superiority because of the birthright, but declared himself a servant of Esau.  If we have wronged someone, we should always go to them in humility and not with an attitude of superiority.  Jacob also told him to tell Esau that he was coming behind them. Verse nineteen adds, And so commanded he the second, and the third, and all that followed the droves, saying, On this manner shall ye speak unto Esau, when ye find him.  Jacob gave the same instructions to the second and third droves.  Jacob may have felt that if Esau was still angry that he would wear his anger down by the continued gifts.  Again Jacob was still relying on his own plans instead of proceeding in faith.  Verse twenty states, And say ye moreover, Behold, thy servant Jacob is behind us. For he said, I will appease him with the present that goeth before me, and afterward I will see his face; peradventure he will accept of me.  Jacob once again told them to tell Esau that Jacob, his servant was behind them.  Jacob still hoped to appease Esau with his gifts.  Jacob was still not relying on God's promise to him, but was attempting to make things right by his own scheme.  As followers of Christ, we must always look to God for direction in all that we do, especially if we have made a mess by our own actions.  Verse twenty-one concludes, So went the present over before him: and himself lodged that night in the company.  Jacob sent the presents, but remained where he was overnight.  He was basically sending his servants to face Esau.  We cannot allow someone else to face the consequences of our sins while we remain safely at a distance.  We could say that this was all dictated by God, but I believe that even as followers of Christ, we still have the free will to act on our own abilities without seeking God's will and relying on Him.

Genesis 32:1 says, And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.  As Jacob was on his way beck home, he was met by the angels of God.  I don't believe I have ever met an angel, but I am fairly certain that if someone meets one today in a positive way that they like Jacob would need to be on their way to do God's will.  Verse two states, And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God’s host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim.  Jacob named the place where he met the angels, who he called God's host.  Verse three declares, And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir, the country of Edom.  Jacob had been gone for twenty years, and he sent a messenger to Esau to tell him that he was coming home.  Jacob was still afraid that Esau would want to kill Him.  No matter how strained our relationship with our family may become, as followers of Christ, we should always attempt to restore it, especially if we are in the wrong.  Verse four adds, And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye speak unto my lord Esau; Thy servant Jacob saith thus, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed there until now:  Jacob told them to tell Esau where he had been.  Verse five continues, And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and menservants, and womenservants: and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find grace in thy sight.  Jacob told them to tell Esau of his success and his hope that he could find grace in Esau's sight.  Jacob referred to Esau as his Lord.  No matter how successful we may be in the world, we always need the grace of God and must always acknowledge Him as our Lord if we are to be successful in following Him.  Verse six says, And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, We came to thy brother Esau, and also he cometh to meet thee, and four hundred men with him.  The messengers returned and told Jacob that Esau was coming to meet him with four hundred men.  Verse seven states, Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed: and he divided the people that was with him, and the flocks, and herds, and the camels, into two bands;  When Jacob heard that Esau was coming with all these men, he was afraid and divided his group into two groups.  I believe that at this point that Jacob had forgotten God's promise and that he was doing what God had directed him to do.  If we encounter what seems to be overwhelming odds today, if we are doing what God has directed us to do, we need not be afraid.  Verse eight adds, And said, If Esau come to the one company, and smite it, then the other company which is left shall escape.  Jacob thought that by dividing his company that if Esau destroyed one maybe the other would survive.  I am not sure how effective this would have been, but it was Jacob's plan and not God's plan.  We need to rely on God's leadership in possible dangerous situations and not own our own understanding.  Verse nine declares, And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the LORD which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee:  Jacob now calls on God, but he still refers to God as the God of Abraham and Isaac, but he did say that God had directed him to return home.  The fact that God had directed him should have been assurance enough for Jacob, but I believe that Jacob was still lacking that personal relationship with God.  We cannot expect God to be with us and protect us based on the relationship that our parents and grandparents have with Him.  Though He may, until we have that personal relationship with Him, we may doubt that God will truly protect us.  Verse ten adds,
I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands.  Jacob acknowledged his own unworthiness, as we must when we stand before God.  Verse eleven continues, Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with the children.  After Jacob made his plans, then he called on God for His help.  If we are where God has directed us to be and we encounter opposition, real or imagined, the first thing we should do is call on God.  Verse twelve declares, And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.  Jacob reminded God of His promise, although he seemed to lack the faith to really live by it.  If we are where God wants us to be, we do not need to remind Him of the promises that He has made to us.  We simply need to act in faith.

Genesis 31:43 says, And Laban answered and said unto Jacob, These daughters are my daughters, and these children are my children, and these cattle are my cattle, and all that thou seest is mine: and what can I do this day unto these my daughters, or unto their children which they have born?  Laban was still claiming everything that Jacob had worked for to be his.  Jacob had fulfilled his agreement with Laban, but evidently Laban never intended to fulfill his.  We likewise cannot be certain that people will always deal fairly with us, but we must always deal fairly with them.  Verse forty-four states, Now therefore come thou, let us make a covenant, I and thou; and let it be for a witness between me and thee.  Laban wanted to make another agreement with Jacob, even though he hadn't been willing to keep the ones he had already made.   Verse forty-five declares, And Jacob took a stone, and set it up for a pillar.  Then verse forty-six adds, And Jacob said unto his brethren, Gather stones; and they took stones, and made an heap: and they did eat there upon the heap.  Jacob basically made an altar of stones as a place of remembrance of the agreement.  We today might say that we got it down in writing.  Verse forty-seven says,  And Laban called it Jegarsahadutha: but Jacob called it Galeed.  They named the place in their own language, but the Hebrew name, the one Jacob gave it, was the one that lasted.  If we are following God's leadership, then the things that we do will last, but if we are just following our own plans, they most likely will not.  Verse forty-eight states, And Laban said, This heap is a witness between me and thee this day. Therefore was the name of it called Galeed;   Verse forty-nine adds, And Mizpah; for he said, The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.  Laban said the place would stand as a reminder before God that God stood before them.  Even if Laban did not follow God's laws, he was ready to acknowledge God's authority after his dream.  Even those who do not necessarily believe in God may not be willing to totally defy Him, especially if they have somehow seen His work in the world.  Verse fifty declares, If thou shalt afflict my daughters, or if thou shalt take other wives beside my daughters, no man is with us; see, God is witness betwixt me and thee.  Laban said Jacob had to promise before God to treat Leah and Rachel right and to not take other wives.  The vows between Laban and Jacob might have been broken easily, but those made before God would not.  When we make a vow to God, we must not break it, and if God is behind it, He never will.  Verse fifty-one, adds, And Laban said to Jacob, Behold this heap, and behold this pillar, which I have cast betwixt me and thee;  Then verse fifty-two  This heap be witness, and this pillar be witness, that I will not pass over this heap to thee, and that thou shalt not pass over this heap and this pillar unto me, for harm.  Then verse fifty-three concludes, The God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge betwixt us. And Jacob sware by the fear of his father Isaac.  Laban said that the pillar would be a dividing point between them, and that if either ever crossed over to harm the other, then God should be their judge.  Jacob agreed with Laban's proposal.  As followers of Christ, the cross is the dividing point between the world and us, and we must never cross over it to harm others.  The cross calls for us to identify with Christ, and we cannot use our relationship with Him to act towards others in a way that contradicts His teachings.  Verse fifty-four declares, Then Jacob offered sacrifice upon the mount, and called his brethren to eat bread: and they did eat bread, and tarried all night in the mount.  Jacob prepared a feast, and they stayed there all night.  Jacob no longer felt the need to run away from Laban.  When we know that we are following God's will, we no longer need to run from the world.  Verse fifty-five states, And early in the morning Laban rose up, and kissed his sons and his daughters, and blessed them: and Laban departed and returned unto his place.  Laban left them with his blessing.  Even though the agreement was between Laban and Jacob, it was God Who made it possible.  If God is behind our agreements with people of the world, we need to never fear, because God will be with us forever.

Genesis 31:33 says, And Laban went into Jacob’s tent, and into Leah’s tent, and into the two maidservants’ tents; but he found them not. Then went he out of Leah’s tent, and entered into Rachel’s tent.  Laban began by searching the tents, beginning with Jacob's, then working downward.  I am sure he would have loved to have found the statues in Jacob's tent, and if not, then Leah's or Rachel's, then he would have had more leverage over them.  People of the world today would really like to discredit followers of Christ, especially those who are leaders.  Verse thirty-four states, Now Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the camel’s furniture, and sat upon them. And Laban searched all the tent, but found them not.  Rachel had hidden the images in the camels furniture, whatever that was, and sat on them.  Seems that she could be devious as well.  Hopefully, we will never be in a position where we feel the need to attempt to hide our sins, but if we are, ultimately it will never work, because God knows when we do.  Verse thirty-five says, And she said to her father, Let it not displease my lord that I cannot rise up before thee; for the custom of women is upon me. And he searched, but found not the images.  Not only had Rachel stolen the images and now was hiding them during the search, but she was lying as well.  One sin often leads to another.  Even though Rachel was keeping Laban from finding the images, it did not justify her actions.  Verse thirty-eight declares, And Jacob was wroth, and chode with Laban: and Jacob answered and said to Laban, What is my trespass? what is my sin, that thou hast so hotly pursued after me?  Jacob was becoming angry and asked Laban what he had done wrong to cause Laban to pursue him so angrily.  Though Jacob thought that Laban was in the wrong, he wasn't.  Jacob was standing for his whole party.  We need to be careful when we defend other Christians that they are not in the wrong, as was Rachel.  Verse thirty-seven adds, Whereas thou hast searched all my stuff, what hast thou found of all thy household stuff? set it here before my brethren and thy brethren, that they may judge betwixt us both.  Jacob basically said for Laban to produce the evidence before everyone.  Again, Jacob still thought that Laban was making up the charge against Him.  Sometimes, even if people cannot find the evidence that we or those close to us have somehow cheated them, it does not mean that they are wrong.  Verse thirty-eight continues, This twenty years have I been with thee; thy ewes and thy she goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten.  Jacob said that he had served Laban faithfully for twenty years.  Verse thirty-nine adds further, That which was torn of beasts I brought not unto thee; I bare the loss of it; of my hand didst thou require it, whether stolen by day, or stolen by night.  Jacob continued to state that he had faithfully served Laban for those twenty years.  Still, Jacob was vouching not only for himself, but for all those with him.  Even when we have dealt honestly with someone else, we really cannot vouch for others around us, no matter how closely related they may be to us.  Verse forty goes on, Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes.  Then verse forty-one adds, Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times.  Now, while proclaiming his innocence, Jacob points out had Laban had cheated him during that time.  Though we are not told the specifics, Jacob said Laban had changed his wages ten times.  I don't really believe that we should ever defend ourselves, even if we are innocent, by pointing out the sins of others.  We can never be justified before God by pointing out the sins of others, but must simply take responsibility for our own sins.  Verse forty-two declares, Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.  Jacob said the God of his fathers had protected and had given him the reward for his labor.  Jacob was still not saying that God was his God.  If we are to claim that God is blessing us, we need to make sure that we have a personal relationship with Him.

Genesis 31:22 says, And it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob was fled.  Jacob had been gone three days before Laban was told he was gone.  I am not sure, but this would seem to indicate that Laban had little to do with actually managing his livestock.  Verse twenty-three states, And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven days’ journey; and they overtook him in the mount Gilead.  It took them a week, but they finally overtook Jacob at Mt. Gilead.  Jacob and those with him must have been making good time for it to take Laban a week to catch them.  No matter how far we may attempt to get away from those who are angry with us, we cannot always escape them.  Verse twenty-four declares, And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.  God warned Laban in a dream not speak either good nor bad to Jacob.  This was a warning that Laban was not to act toward Jacob with anger.  Matthew Henry says that this was God's way of protecting Jacob.  Even though Laban was not one of God's people, God was still able to reach him with His word.  I believe that even those who do not acknowledge God often know of His existence.  Verse twenty-five states, Then Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mount: and Laban with his brethren pitched in the mount of Gilead.  Then verse twenty-six adds, And Laban said to Jacob, What hast thou done, that thou hast stolen away unawares to me, and carried away my daughters, as captives taken with the sword?  Laban accused Jacob of sneaking away and forcing his daughters, not referring to them as Jacob's wives, away by force.  This was really a false accusation, since Jacob had the right to take his wives with him.  People may often use half truths in an attempt to discredit us in the world today.  Verse twenty-seven asks, Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp?  Laban implies that if Jacob had told him he was leaving that he would have thrown a party for Jacob.  It is not unusual for those who had evil intents toward us to claim that we are the ones who misunderstood them and are at fault for the problem between us.   Matthew Henry points out that unlike sending Rebekah away with prayers, that Laban claimed he would have sent Jacob and his family away with a party.  Verse twenty-eight adds, And hast not suffered me to kiss my sons and my daughters? thou hast now done foolishly in so doing.  Laban now claimed that he was denied the right to kiss his daughters and grandsons goodbye.  These were the same daughters that Laban had used for his advantage when dealing with Jacob.  People will often claim that they have feelings of love for others if it is to there advantage, even if their actions have shown just the opposite.  Verse twenty-nine continues, It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt: but the God of your father spake unto me yesternight, saying, Take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.  Laban basically said he had the power to hurt Jacob, but that the God of Jacob's father had warned him to not do so.  Laban did not say his God, nor even Jacob's God, but the God of Jacob's father.  We may never know how many times God has interceded for us to keep someone from harming us.  Verse thirty concludes, And now, though thou wouldest needs be gone, because thou sore longedst after thy father’s house, yet wherefore hast thou stolen my gods?  Laban told Jacob that he knew Jacob wanted to return to his home, but then asked Jacob why he had stolen Laban's gods.  Though this had not been Laban's real reason for chasing Jacob, it now became the focus.  As followers of Christ, one thing we never need to worry about is someone stealing our God.  Verse thirty-one says, And Jacob answered and said to Laban, Because I was afraid: for I said, Peradventure thou wouldest take by force thy daughters from me.  Jacob said he left as he did because he was afraid that Laban might attempt to take Leah and Rachel from Him.  Laban had used them for years as a way to control Jacob.  We should never act out of fear of those around us, but must always act by faith in God.  Verse thirty-two declares, With whomsoever thou findest thy gods, let him not live: before our brethren discern thou what is thine with me, and take it to thee. For Jacob knew not that Rachel had stolen them.  Jacob said that whoever stole Laban's gods should be put to death, not knowing that Rachel was the one who stole them.  We should be careful about making rash statements without knowing all the facts, especially if we are condemning others by doing so.

Genesis 31:14 says, And Rachel and Leah answered and said unto him, Is there yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father’s house?  Rachel and Leah both asked in effect what was there left for their with their father.  Leah could have told Jacob that since he didn't love her as much as he did Rachel that she was going to stay with her father, but she didn't.  When we come to Christ, whether we be a man or woman, there should never be anything that we left behind in our old sinful life that we would want to go back to.  Verse fifteen asks, Are we not counted of him strangers? for he hath sold us, and hath quite devoured also our money.  Rachel and Leah asked if they were not looked on the same as strangers to their father.  They said that he had sold them and used all the money that might have been theirs.  We can also be sure that when people of the world figure that they have gotten everything they can from us, there will be no reason to go back to them.  Verse sixteen adds, For all the riches which God hath taken from our father, that is ours, and our children’s: now then, whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do.  Rachel and Leah credited God with taking things from Laban and giving them to Jacob, and said that God did it for them and their children.  We likewise should acknowledge that God is at work in our lives when we are blessed.  They told Jacob to do what God had told him to do.  We, as followers of Christ, should always tell others to do what God has told them to do, even if it affects us personally.  Verse seventeen states, Then Jacob rose up, and set his sons and his wives upon camels;  Then verse eighteen adds, And he carried away all his cattle, and all his goods which he had gotten, the cattle of his getting, which he had gotten in Padanaram, for to go to Isaac his father in the land of Canaan.  Jacob gathered all his family and animals and was ready to go back to his father's land.  Jacob may have been getting wealthy where he was, but he wasn't where God wanted him to be.  Even if we are getting wealthy where we are, we need to make sure that we are where God wants us to be.  If we aren't, then we like Jacob need to rise up and return to where God wants us to be.  Verse nineteen declares, And Laban went to shear his sheep: and Rachel had stolen the images that were her father’s.  Matthew Henry says that these were most likely religious images, and that Rachel took them not for a real desire to have them, but to keep Laban from consulting them to find out where they had gone.  She should have been content to simply rely on God, and also to be willing to leave behind anything that could not be attributed to God's work in their lives.  I don't believe that God will ever lead us to dishonest acts in order to achieve His will.  Even if we must stand against certain laws that go against God's teachings, we should do so openly and honestly and never to enrich ourselves.  Verse twenty says, And Jacob stole away unawares to Laban the Syrian, in that he told him not that he fled.  Jacob left without telling Laban that he was leaving.  Verse twenty-one adds, So he fled with all that he had; and he rose up, and passed over the river, and set his face toward the mount Gilead.  Jacob took all his family and all his possessions fled from Laban.  I don't believe that there was a need for Jacob to leave this way, since he was doing what God had told him to do.  Once more, when we are following God's leadership, we need to be open and honest in our dealings with other people.

Genesis 31:1 says, And he heard the words of Laban’s sons, saying, Jacob hath taken away all that was our father’s; and of that which was our father’s hath he gotten all this glory.  Jacob heard Laban's sons claiming that he had taken everything from their father.  This is the first time we hear anything about Laban's sons, and when we do, they are angry about Jacob taken what Laban and he had agreed on as Jacob's wages.  When material things are involved, often it doesn't take long for others, especially family members, to be upset if they think they are losing something.  Verse two states, And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before.  Laban also changed his attitude toward Jacob, even though he had agreed to give Jacob the part of the flock that Jacob had taken.  Verse three declares, And the LORD said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee.  Basically, God told Jacob it was time for him to go home.  When we are in a bad situation, we need to listen to what God tells us.  If we obey God, He will never desert us.  Verse four declares, And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field unto his flock. Verse five adds,, And said unto them, I see your father’s countenance, that it is not toward me as before; but the God of my father hath been with me.  Jacob sent Rachel and Leah out to his flocks, and then he told them that he could see that their father's attitude toward him had changed.  If we see possible danger to others, we should make them aware of it.  Jacob also said that the God of his father was with him. Verse six continues, And ye know that with all my power I have served your father.  Jacob reminded them that he had faithfully served their father.  We need to be faithful in our relationship to others, but we especially need to be faithful in our relationship to our heavenly Father.  Verse seven adds, And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me.  Jacob said that Laban had cheated him multiple times, but that God had kept Jacob safe.  Even if other people cheat us, we can be certain that God is going to keep us spiritually safe forever if we are followers of Christ.  Verse eight states, I said thus, The speckled shall be thy wages; then all the cattle bare speckled: and if he said thus, The ringstraked shall be thy hire; then bare all the cattle ringstraked.  Basically, Jacob said he had no control over what color the animals would be born, and that he was just taking the ones that Laban and he had agreed on.  Verse nine adds, Thus God hath taken away the cattle of your father, and given them to me.  Though Jacob was still calling God the God of his father, and not his God, Jacob recognized that God was the One giving him the animals.  Even those who may not have a personal relationship with God can often see His work in the world, especially those who are the children of those who believe in God.  Verse ten says, And it came to pass at the time that the cattle conceived, that I lifted up mine eyes, and saw in a dream, and, behold, the rams which leaped upon the cattle were ringstraked, speckled, and grisled.  Then verse eleven adds, And the angel of God spake unto me in a dream, saying, Jacob: And I said, Here am I.  Then verse twelve continues, And he said, Lift up now thine eyes, and see, all the rams which leap upon the cattle are ringstraked, speckled, and grisled: for I have seen all that Laban doeth unto thee.  Jacob said that  an angel of God appeared to him in a dream, and told him that God was giving Jacob the best of the flock, because He knew how Laban had been mistreating Jacob.  God will always know when we are being mistreated, and He will keep us safe, if not in this world, then in the one to come.  Verse thirteen declares, I am the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred.  God reminded Jacob of Who He was and of Jacob's vow to Him at Bethel and that it was time to act on that vow.  It was time get out of the land he was in and return to where he should be.  No matter how successful we may become in the world, we must never forget our promises to God.

Genesis 30:35 says, And he removed that day the he goats that were ringstraked and spotted, and all the she goats that were speckled and spotted, and every one that had some white in it, and all the brown among the sheep, and gave them into the hand of his sons.  Jacob began to separate the herds as Laban and he had agreed to do.  Until then, everything had belonged to Laban, even though Jacob had worked for him for years.  Like Jacob, we should expect at least some reward, or pay, for our work.  Of course, our work for God already has its reward, which is everlasting life.  We cannot work to earn everlasting life, but since we already have the reward, then we should work in appreciation of that reward.  Verse thirty-six states, And he set three days’ journey betwixt himself and Jacob: and Jacob fed the rest of Laban’s flocks.  The flocks, after being divided by color, were separated by three days journey.  This was to ensure that both got what they agreed on.  Jacob still continued to feed the rest of Laban's flocks, as he had agreed to do.  When we make a bargain with someone, we need fulfill our part of the bargain.  Verse thirty-seven says, And Jacob took him rods of green poplar, and of the hazel and chesnut tree; and pilled white strakes in them, and made the white appear which was in the rods. Then verse thirty-eight adds, And he set the rods which he had pilled before the flocks in the gutters in the watering troughs when the flocks came to drink, that they should conceive when they came to drink.  Then verse thirty-nine concludes, And the flocks conceived before the rods, and brought forth cattle ringstraked, speckled, and spotted.  Matthew Henry says that these sticks somehow influenced the color the offspring of the flocks would have.  I am not sure how the stakes influenced anything, but I am sure that God could bless Jacob with the best of the flock.  We need to simply rely on God today without attempting to bring about the outcome that we want in a situation by our own ability.  Verse forty declares, And Jacob did separate the lambs, and set the faces of the flocks toward the ringstraked, and all the brown in the flock of Laban; and he put his own flocks by themselves, and put them not unto Laban’s cattle.  Jacob continued to separate the offspring of the flocks as Laban and he had agreed to do.  Verse forty-one adds, And it came to pass, whensoever the stronger cattle did conceive, that Jacob laid the rods before the eyes of the cattle in the gutters, that they might conceive among the rods.  Then verse forty-two continues, But when the cattle were feeble, he put them not in: so the feebler were Laban’s, and the stronger Jacob’s. Then verse forty-three concludes, And the man increased exceedingly, and had much cattle, and maidservants, and menservants, and camels, and asses.  I will not profess to know exactly how all this worked, but however it was, Jacob somehow had the birth of the animals work in his favor.  He was getting the stronger animals.  Maybe Jacob felt that since Laban had cheated him in his bargain for Rachel that he would now take advantage of his knowledge of the herds to benefit himself.  We can say that Jacob was still relying on his own abilities instead of relying on God.  As followers of Christ, we do not need to deceive others to get what we want in life.  We simply need to put our faith in God.

Genesis 30:25 says, And it came to pass, when Rachel had born Joseph, that Jacob said unto Laban, Send me away, that I may go unto mine own place, and to my country.  After the birth of Joseph, Jacob was ready to return home.  He had not come to this land for a permanent home, but to find a wife from his mother's people.  We cannot afford to lose sight of our original purpose when we are following God, even if life seems to be going very well when we are doing whatever we are doing.  Verse twenty-six adds, Give me my wives and my children, for whom I have served thee, and let me go: for thou knowest my service which I have done thee.  Jacob asked Laban to allow him to leave with his wives and children.  Jacob had worked for Laban even beyond the years required to have Leah and Rachel as his wives, though it was all really done only for Rachel.  Jacob still showed respect for Laban by asking his permission to leave.  I believe that we as followers of Christ should always be respectful to others whenever possible, no matter what our relationship with them may be.  Verse twenty-seven states, And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favour in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by experience that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake.  Laban asked Jacob to stay because God had blessed Laban for Jacob's sake.  Though we may feel that we are blessed by being around Christians, we can only truly be blessed by having a personal relationship with Christ.  Laban really didn't need Jacob to be blessed by God, and we don't need anyone today to know God's blessings, but like Laban, even if he didn't know it, we need only that personal relationship with God.  Verse twenty-eight adds, And he said, Appoint me thy wages, and I will give it.  Laban basically asked for Jacob to tell him what he owed him, even though Laban had asked him to stay.  Verse twenty-nine declares, And he said unto him, Thou knowest how I have served thee, and how thy cattle was with me.  Verse thirty adds, For it was little which thou hadst before I came, and it is now increased unto a multitude; and the LORD hath blessed thee since my coming: and now when shall I provide for mine own house also?   Jacob told Laban that Laban's wealth had increased because of Jacob's work and God's blessing Jacob.  If we have done something to benefit someone else, even if it is because of our work, we should always give God the credit if we are followers of Christ.  Jacob also asked how he would provide for his family if he left everything with Laban.  Verse thirty-one states, And he said, What shall I give thee? And Jacob said, Thou shalt not give me any thing: if thou wilt do this thing for me, I will again feed and keep thy flock:  Laban asked Jacob what he wanted Laban to give him, and Jacob said he didn't want Laban to give him anything.  If Laban agreed to Jacob's proposal, then Jacob would work for him awhile longer.  Verse thirty-two adds, I will pass through all thy flock to day, removing from thence all the speckled and spotted cattle, and all the brown cattle among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats: and of such shall be my hire.  Verse thirty-three concludes, So shall my righteousness answer for me in time to come, when it shall come for my hire before thy face: every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and brown among the sheep, that shall be counted stolen with me.  Jacob said he would separate certain goats and sheep from the others, and when the time came for him to leave that those that were like those that had been separated would be his wages.  Like Jacob, we cannot demand someone give us something, but we can also be expected to be paid fairly for our work.  Jacob also once again gave God the credit for his success, and so should we in all the success that we have in the world.  Verse thirty-four declares, And Laban said, Behold, I would it might be according to thy word.  Laban agreed with Jacob's plan.

Genesis 30:14 says, And Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest, and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them unto his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, Give me, I pray thee, of thy son’s mandrakes.  Reuben would have still be fairly young, but he was in the fields and harvested some mandrakes for his mother.  These plants were noted for causing someone to be in an excited state, somewhat like narcotics, according to the definition.  Rachel asked Leah to share them with her.  Verse fifteen states, And she said unto her, Is it a small matter that thou hast taken my husband? and wouldest thou take away my son’s mandrakes also? And Rachel said, Therefore he shall lie with thee to night for thy son’s mandrakes.  Evidently, Leah did not really care about what Rachel wanted, since she felt that Rachel had stolen her husband.  Again, I am not sure that Rachel had anymore say in the matter of marriage than Leah did, but it was bound to cause bad feelings, especially when Jacob loved Rachel more.  We cannot blame others for doing  things that they really have no control over.  Jacob and their father were the ones to blame, not each other.  Verse sixteen proclaims, And Jacob came out of the field in the evening, and Leah went out to meet him, and said, Thou must come in unto me; for surely I have hired thee with my son’s mandrakes. And he lay with her that night.  Leah met Jacob as he came in from the field and told him that he must come to bed with her that night.  She said it was because of the mandrakes, so for whatever reason, she felt that the mandrakes would make her more desirable.  People today often begin to use stimulates or drugs thinking that they will somehow make them better, when at best what they often do is simply decrease inhibitions.  Verse seventeen adds, And God hearkened unto Leah, and she conceived, and bare Jacob the fifth son.  Once more, only God can give life, and actually Leah was Jacob's first wife.  Unlike Sarah and Abraham, we are not told that God made His promise to Jacob and a particular woman, but God was still at work in their lives.  We as followers of Christ may at times fail to live up to what God expects of us, but that doesn't mean that He is not still at work in our lives.  Leah was blessed with a fifth son.  Verse eighteen states, And Leah said, God hath given me my hire, because I have given my maiden to my husband: and she called his name Issachar.  Leah attributed her having another son to God blessing her for giving her maid to Jacob, but I don't believe that this was the case.  If God blesses us, it will never be because we have done something that is against His word.  Verse nineteen says, And Leah conceived again, and bare Jacob the sixth son.  Then verse twenty adds, And Leah said, God hath endued me with a good dowry; now will my husband dwell with me, because I have born him six sons: and she called his name Zebulun.  Leah had a sixth son and felt that because of this Jacob would prefer her to Rachel.  We should never use children as a way to cause someone else to love us.  Verse twenty-one states, And afterwards she bare a daughter, and called her name Dinah.  Jacob now had ten sons, and this was his first daughter.  Then, verse twenty-two declares, And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb.  I don't believe that this means that God had forgotten Rachel until this time, but simply means that He blessed her with a child.  As followers of Christ, if we don't get everything we want in life, that doesn't mean that God has forgotten us.  Our relationship with God should never be determined by material things.  Verse twenty-three adds, And she conceived, and bare a son; and said, God hath taken away my reproach:  Then verse twenty-four concludes, And she called his name Joseph; and said, The LORD shall add to me another son.  Rachel finally had son, and she named him Joseph.  As we know, Joseph would become a big part in God fulfilling His promise to Abraham, then Isaac, and now Jacob.  God's promise to us today of everlasting life is just as certain as was His promise to them, no matter how much time passes before the ultimate fulfillment of that promise.

Genesis 30:1 says, And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die.  Rachel was very envious of Leah because Leah was having children and she wasn't.  Rachel was the one Jacob really loved, but she said she was ready to die if she couldn't have a child.  Sometimes, it is easier to envy others because of their success in areas that we wish to succeed than it is to be thankful for what God has blessed us with.  Verse two states, And Jacob’s anger was kindled against Rachel: and he said, Am I in God’s stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb?  Jacob became angry at Rachel's demand and asked if he were God to be able to give her a child.  As I have said before, I believe that God gives life to every child, no matter how they are conceived.  Verse three declares, And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my knees, that I may also have children by her.  Like Sarah, Rachel had a plan to get a child for herself.  Just as Sarah had given her maid to Abraham, Rachel gave her maid Bilhah to Jacob to have a child with.  Bilhah had even fewer rights than Rachel did, and evidently Rachel did not consider how Bilhah would be affected by this.  As followers of Christ, we cannot use those that we may have authority over simply to satisfy our own desires.  Verse four adds, And she gave him Bilhah her handmaid to wife: and Jacob went in unto her.  Rachel carried out her plan, but we never hear of her consulting God about it.  When we make plans in life, we should always consult God first.  Verse five states, And Bilhah conceived, and bare Jacob a son.  Blah gave Jacob another son.  Verse six adds, And Rachel said, God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son: therefore called she his name Dan.  Though she must not have felt the same way about the sons of Leah, Rachel saw this child as one that God had given her.  We cannot just claim God's blessings on ourselves when our plans that have been made without Him are successful.  Verse seven declares, And Bilhah Rachel’s maid conceived again, and bare Jacob a second son.  Bilhah gave Jacob another son.  Jacob may have loved Rachel, but he was perfectly willing to have children with other women.  When we love someone and are married to them, we should remain true to them in all aspects of life.  Verse eight adds, And Rachel said, With great wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed: and she called his name Naphtali.  Rachel stated that she had wrestled, or had big problems with Leah, but now she had prevailed.  Instead of supporting each other in a situation that neither had created, the sisters were feuding.  When we are in a bad situation, especially one that is not of our making, we need not spend time blaming others, especially those who have no control over the situation.  Verse nine declares, When Leah saw that she had left bearing, she took Zilpah her maid, and gave her Jacob to wife.  When Leah did not have another child, she gave Jacob her maid Zilpah to have a child with.  I believe because she was afraid that Rachel would now really be preferred by Jacob.  Verse ten states, And Zilpah Leah’s maid bare Jacob a son.  Then verse eleven adds, And Leah said, A troop cometh: and she called his name Gad.  Like Rachel, Leah gave God credit for blessing her plan.  If we are to give God credit for our success, we must first know that we are following His will.  Verse twelve states, And Zilpah Leah’s maid bare Jacob a second son.  Like Bilhah, Zilpah had a second son with Jacob.  This was now eight children that Jacob had, and he was indeed on his way to becoming the father of a great multitude, but I personally do not feel that this was in accordance with God's plan.  Verse thirteen adds, And Leah said, Happy am I, for the daughters will call me blessed: and she called his name Asher.  Leah thought that people would call her blessed because her maid had given Jacob another son, though she really had very little to do with the birth of the child.  We cannot claim to do things in the name of God simply to claim praise for ourselves.

Genesis 29:25 says, And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?  The next morning, Jacob asked Laban why he had beguiled him and given him Leah instead of Rachel.  Like Jacob, people are sometimes more upset when they are cheated than they are when they cheat others as Jacob had done with Esau.  Verse twenty-six states, And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn.  Laban cited tradition as the reason.  Again, Jacob should have understood this,, since tradition said that the first born son would receive a father's blessing.  If we cheat others, we should not be surprised if others cheat us.  Verse twenty-seven adds, Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.  Jacob was basically told to accept Leah as his wife and that he would then be given Rachel for a wife as well, for which he would have to serve another seven years.  Having more than one wife at a time was never God's plan.  We have to wonder how Leah felt about this, since she knew that she was not the one that Jacob wanted.  Verse twenty-eight declares, And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also.  After a week, Laban gave Jacob Rachel as his wife also.  As with Leah, we have to wonder how Rachel felt about this situation.  Neither were really given a choice, unless they defied their father.  Verse twenty-nine states, And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his handmaid to be her maid.  Laban gave Rachel one of his maids to be her handmade, as he had done in giving Leah a handmaid.  At least Laban seemed to not make a difference between his daughters.  Verse thirty declares, And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years.  Jacob took Rachel as his wife also, but he loved her more than he did Leah.  Again, though she had done nothing wrong, Leah was in a bad situation.  Sometimes we may find ourselves in some bad situation through no fault of our own.  Jacob would work another seven years for having Rachel as his wife.  Jacob, Leah, and Rachel were all affected by Laban's plot.  Verse thirty-one declares, And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren. God had mercy on Leah because of her situation.  We must pray that if we find ourselves in a bad situation that God will have mercy on us.  Verse thirty-two adds, And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me.  Leah thought that when she had a son that Jacob would finally love her.  We can never force someone to love us, even if we give them what they may want.  Verse thirty-three adds, And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the LORD hath heard that I was hated, he hath therefore given me this son also: and she called his name Simeon.  Verse thirty-four continues, And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons:  therefore was his name called Levi.  Then verse thirty-five concludes, And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing.  Leah had four sons.  She was still hoping that Jacob would love her, but after the birth of her last son, she simply said that she would praise the LORD.  We should never forget to praise God, no matter what our situation may be in life.

Genesis 29:12 says, And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father’s brother, and that he was Rebekah’s son: and she ran and told her father.  Jacob identified himself as Isaac and Rebekah's son.  He wasn't just some random stranger.  She ran to share the news.  Verse thirteen states, And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sister’s son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house.  Laban was just as excited to meet Jacob, so he ran to meet him and brought him home with him.  We today may never be as out of touch with relatives as people were in that day, unless it is by choice, but we are still usually excited to see relatives that we haven't seen in a while.  Verse fourteen adds, And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space of a month.  Laban recognized Jacob as a blood relative, and Jacob stayed with him for a month.  Of course, as followers of Christ, we have blood relatives, but we also have spiritual relatives, and hopefully many are both.  Verse fifteen declares, And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what shall thy wages be?  Whether Jacob had already been working during this month he had been there or not, Laban said he didn't expect him to work for free.  We should never expect our relatives, or our fellow Christians, to work for us for nothing.  This was more than just a few days work and was going to continue for awhile.  Laban asked Jacob to name his price.  Verse sixteen adds, And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.  We already knew about Rachel, but Laban had an older daughter named Leah.  Verse seventeen continues, Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured.  We are told more about Leah's character and about Rachel's looks.  Evidently Rachel was prettier than Leah.  We still often judge women more by their looks than by their nature or character.  Verse eighteen states, And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.  Jacob loved Rachel, whether because he had gotten to know her during the month he had been there or simply because he found her beautiful.  Jacob told Laban that he would work for him for seven years in order to have the right to marry Rachel.  I am not sure how many people today would be willing to work seven years in order to marry someone.  Verse nineteen says, And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me.  Laban said that it was better that he allow Jacob to marry Rachel than for her to marry someone else.  We are not told how God's leadership was taken into consideration in this deal, nor are we told how Rachel felt about it.  When we as followers of Christ make plans, we must consider what God wants us to do, and also how our plans will affect others, especially if they are part of the plan.  Verse twenty declares, And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.  Jacob's love for Rachel was so strong that seven years only felt like a few days.  If we really love someone, then no matter how much we do for them it should always seem but a small thing to us.  Verse twenty-one adds, And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her.  Jacob had fulfilled his part of the deal, and now he was ready to marry Rachel.  If we make an agreement with someone as Christians, then we should always do our best to fulfill that agreement.  Verse twenty-two states, And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast.  Laban gathered everyone together and made a feast, supposedly to carry out his part of the agreement.  Verse twenty-three adds, And it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him; and he went in unto her.  Laban did not carry out his part of the agreement, sending Leah instead of Rachel to Jacob.  I believe that Leah is often the forgotten woman in this story.  She knew that Jacob loved Rachel, but she still had to do what her father told her to do.  We always need to consider how our actions will affect others, especially other followers of Christ.  Verse twenty-four adds, And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid for an handmaid.  Laban gave Leah one of his maids as her handmade.

Genesis 29:1 says, Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east.  Jacob completed his journey after he had a personal assurance from God.  Wherever we go in life, if we have God's assurance that He is with us, and we are being obedient to His will, we should feel free to go.  Jacob left under Isaac's blessing and direction, but he arrived under God's.  Verse two states, And he looked, and behold a well in the field, and, lo, there were three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks: and a great stone was upon the well’s mouth.  Jacob, like Abraham's servant, came to a well, this one used to water sheep, but the well had a great stone across it.  Jesus said He is Living Water for those who accept Him, but until someone does, sin is the same as having a rock blocking him or her from that water.  Verse three adds, And thither were all the flocks gathered: and they rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stone again upon the well’s mouth in his place.  After all the flocks were gathered, they removed the stone, watered the flocks, and then replaced the stone.  We all have equal access to the Living Water that Jesus provides, but faith in Him is like the stone.  It is removed for those who accept Jesus as their Savior and Lord, but it still blocks those who do not from having access to the Living Water.  Verse four says, And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence be ye? And they said, Of Haran are we.  Jacob asked the people at the well who they were.  They told him that they were from Haran.  If someone asks us who we are today, would our answer include anything about being God's people?  I know that these people did not say that, but we should always ensure that when we are telling people who will are, as followers of Christ, that should always be one of the things we tell them.  Verse five adds, And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? And they said, We know him.  Jacob asked if they knew Laban, the son of Nahor, and they said they did.  When someone asks us today if we know Jesus, the Son of God, hopefully we can honestly say that we do.  Verse six continues, And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said, He is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep.  Jacob asked if Laban was well, the people said that he was and then Rachel came with her sheep to water them.  Jacob had found at least one of Abraham's people.  If we were to continue to equate this with coming to Christ today, then we could say that when people are going about their everyday life, hopefully they will encounter someone who can point them to Christ.  Though Jacob had left simply to find a wife, after his encounter with God, he was now there also as a representative of God.  Once we encounter and accept Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, wherever we go we are His representative, whether we want to be or not.  Verse seven states, And he said, Lo, it is yet high day, neither is it time that the cattle should be gathered together: water ye the sheep, and go and feed them.  Jacob told them to water and feed the sheep.  We likewise have a command from God to feed His sheep.  Verse eight adds, And they said, We cannot, until all the flocks be gathered together, and till they roll the stone from the well’s mouth; then we water the sheep.  They told Jacob that they couldn't water the sheep until all the flocks were gathered.  Again, when equating this to Jesus as the Living Water, we all have equal access.  Verse nine declares, And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep: for she kept them.  While Jacob was talking with the men, Rachel came to water her father's sheep.  Verse ten adds, And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother’s brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother’s brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother’s brother.  Jacob saw Rachel, who was indeed his mother's relative, and he rolled the stone from the well and watered her flock.  The time might not have been right in the tradition of those at the well, but Jacob was there on a mission from God now.  We cannot allow tradition to keep us from doing what God leads us to do, even if it might be risky.  Verse eleven states, And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice and wept.  I believe that Jacob felt that Rachel was the one he was looking for.  We might question his kissing her when he first met her, but a kiss was a normal greeting back then.

Genesis 28:10 says, And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran.  Jacob did what Isaac told him to do.  Though he had received Isaac's blessing, he was still obedient to Him.  We should likewise be obedient to our heavenly Father, even if we have already received our inheritance, or blessing of everlasting life through our faith in Christ.  Verse eleven states, And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep.  Jacob stopped over night on the way.  It says he made a pillow of stones, which really doesn't sound very comfortable. Isaac may have been the one through whom God was going to fulfill His promise to Abraham, but that didn't mean that he would never be uncomfortable.  Some people today claim that as followers of Christ we will never have to struggle or suffer, but this has never been what God's word teaches us.  Of course, some would say that Jacob had yet come to have a personal relationship with God, which was most likely true.  Verse twelve declares, And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.  Jacob had a dream of a ladder reaching into heaven and angels going up and down it.  God often spoke to people in dreams in Biblical times, and may still do so today, but if so, we must somehow be able to determine that it is really God speaking.  Not all dreams are a message from God.  Verse thirteen adds, And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;  Isaac saw the LORD God or simply God as we would say, standing at the top of the ladder.  God first identified Himself as the God of Abraham and Isaac.  God simply being their God was not enough, just as His being the God of our parents and grandparents is not enough.  God had now come to Isaac in a personal way, just as He must to each individual in order for anyone to claim salvation through Christ.  Verse fourteen continues, And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.  This was a repeating of the promise to Abraham and Isaac.  When we come to God through faith in Christ as our Savior and Lord, He does not promise us any more than He has always promised anyone who has accepted Christ.  Verse fifteen concludes, And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.  God told Jacob that He would not leave him until God's promise was secured.  As followers of Christ, we can also be certain that no matter where we go in this world that God will be with us and His promise of everlasting life is secure.  Verse and sixteen says, And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not.  When Jacob awoke, he said that God was surely in that place and he didn't know it.  Until we come to a personal relationship with Christ, even though God is wherever we are, we won't recognize it, and once we have that personal relationship we should always acknowledge that God is with us, wherever we go.  Verse seventeen states, And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.  Jacob saw the place as a dreadful place because he said it was the home of God.  As followers of Christ, the home of God should never be a place of dread and fear for us, but a place of joy and peace instead.  Verse eighteen adds, And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it.  Jacob took the stone that he had slept on and turned it into a altar to God.  Verse nineteen continues, And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first.  Jacob called the place Bethel, though it apparently already had the name Luz.  I believe that whenever a person accepts Christ into their life, everything should become different, since everything should now be viewed through obedience to God.  Verse twenty declares, And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,  I believe that Jacob could have said that since God would be with him, just as we must acknowledge that He is with us today if we are following Christ in faith.  Verse twenty-one adds,  So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God:  Jacob was putting conditions on his faith in God, and we can never afford to do that.  Verse twenty-two concludes,  And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.  Jacob promised a tenth, or tithe, of all that God might bless him with to God.  I believe that we must likewise give a tithe unto God, but we must acknowledge that everything we have belongs to God and should be used to glorify Him.