Genesis 32:22

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.