#93 Wrestle With God Incarnate Genesis 32

The same night he arose and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. He took them and sent them across the stream, and everything else that he had. And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, "let me go, for the day has broken." But Jacob said, "I will not let you go unless you bless me." And he said to him, "what is your name?" And he said, "Jacob." Then he said, "your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed." Then Jacob asked him, "please tell me your name." But he said, "why is it that you ask my name?" And there he blessed him. So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, "for I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered." The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip. There to this day the people of Israel do not eat the sinew of the thigh that is on the hip socket, because he touched the socket of Jacob's hip on the sinew of the thigh. Genesis 32:22-32 ESV

Jacob's family crosses over the Jabbok, which is a stream located between the Sea of Galilee and the dead Sea. It says Jacob was left alone after this, and that a man wrestles with him until the breaking of day. One of the most beautiful renderings of this passage is from John Calvin's commentary, and I was able to find it on the web:

Verse 25. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him . Here is described to us the victory of Jacob, which, however, was not gained without a wound. In saying that the wrestling angel, or God, wished to retire from the contest, because he saw he should not prevail, Moses speaks after the manner of men. For we know that God, when he descends from his majesty to us, is wont to transfer the properties of human nature to himself. The Lord knew with certainty the event of the contest, before he came down to engage in it; he had even already determined what he would do: but his knowledge is here put for the experience of the thing itself.

He touched the hollow of his thigh . Though Jacob gains the victory; yet the angel strikes him on the thigh, from which cause he was lame even to the end of his life. And although the vision was by night, yet the Lord designed this mark of it to continue through all his days, that it might thence appear not to have been a vain dream. Moreover, by this sign it is made manifest to all the faithful, that they can come forth conquerors in their temptations, only by being injured and wounded in the conflict. For we know that the strength of God is made perfect in our weakness, in order that our exaltation may be joined with humility; for if our own strength remained entire, and there were no injury or dislocation produced, immediately the flesh would become haughty, and we should forget that we had conquered by the help of God. But the wound received, and the weakness which follows it, compel us to be modest.

Verse 26. Let me go . God concedes the praise of victory to his servant, and is ready to depart, as if unequal to him in strength: not because a truce was needed by him, to whom it belongs to grant a truce or peace whenever he pleases; but that Jacob might rejoice over the grace afforded to him. A wonderful method of triumphing; where the Lord, to whose power all praise is entirely due, yet chooses that feeble man shall excel as a conqueror, and thus raises him on high with special eulogy. At the same time he commends the invincible perseverance of Jacob, who, having endured a long and severe conflict, still strenuously maintains his ground. And certainly we adopt a proper mode of contending, when we never grow weary, till the Lord recedes of his own accord. We are, indeed, permitted to ask him to consider our infirmity, and, according to his paternal indulgence, to spare the tender and the weak: we may even groan under our burden, and desire the termination of our contests; nevertheless, in the meantime, we must beware lest our minds should become relaxed or faint; and rather endeavor, with collected mind and strength, to persist unwearied in the conflict. The reason which the angel assigns, namely, that the day breaketh, is to this effect, that Jacob may now that he has been divinely taught by the nocturnal vision. 8

I will not let thee go, except . Hence it appears, that at length the holy man knew his antagonist; for this prayer, in which he asks to be blessed, is no common prayer. The inferior is blessed by the greater; and therefore it is the property of God alone to bless us. Truly the father of Jacob did not otherwise bless him, than by divine command, as one who represented the person of God. A similar office also was imposed on the priests under the law, that, as ministers and expositors of divine grace, they might bless the people. Jacob knew, then, that the combatant with whom he had wrestled was God; because he desires a blessing from him, which it was not lawful simply to ask from mortal man. So, in my judgment, ought the place in Hosea (Hosea 12:3) to be understood, Jacob prevailed over the angel, and was strengthened; he wept, and made supplication to him. For the Prophet means, that after Jacob had come off conqueror, he was yet a suppliant before God, and prayed with tears. Moreover, this passage teaches us always to expect the blessing of God, although we may have experienced his presence to be harsh and grievous, even to the disjointing of our members. For it is far better for the sons of God to be blessed, though mutilated and half destroyed, than to desire that peace in which they shall fall asleep, or than they should withdraw themselves from the presence of God, so as to turn away from his command, that they may riot with the wicked.

Verse 28. Thy name shall be called no more Jacob . Jacob, as we have seen, received his name from his mother's womb, because he had seized the heel of his brother's foot, and had attempted to hold him back. God now gives him a new and more honorable name; not that he may entirely abolish the other, which was a token of memorable grace, but that he may testify a still higher progress of his grace. Therefore, of the two names the second is preferred to the former, as being more honorable. The name is derived from hrs (sarah) or rws (sur,) which signifies to rule, as if he were called a Prince of God: for I have said, a little before, that God had transferred the praise of his own strength to Jacob, for the purpose of triumphing in his person. The explanation of the name which is immediately annexed, is thus given literally by Moses, "Because thou hast ruled with, or, towards God and towards man, and shalt prevail." Yet the sense seems to be faithfully rendered by Jerome: 9 but if Jacob acted thus heroically with God, much more should he prove superior to men; for certainly it was the purpose of God to send forth his servant to various combats, inspired with the confidence resulting from so great a victory, lest he should afterwards become vacillating. For he does not merely impose a name, as risen are accustomed to do, but with the name he gives the thing itself which the name implies, that the event may correspond with it.

Verse 29. Tell me, I pray thee, thy name . This seems opposed to what is declared above; for I have lately said, that when Jacob sought a blessing, it was a token of his submission. Why, therefore, as if he were of doubtful mind, does he now inquire the name of him whom he had before acknowledged to be God? But the solution of the question is easy; for, though Jacob does acknowledge God, yet, not content will an obscure and slight knowledge, he wishes to ascend higher. And it is not to be wondered at, that the holy man, to whom God had manifested himself under so many veils and coverings, that he had not yet obtained any clear knowledge of him, should break forth in this wish; nay, it is certain that all the saints, under the law, were inflamed with this desire. Such a prayer also of Manoah, is read in Judges 13:18, to which the answer from God is added, except that there, the Lord pronounces his name to be wonderful and secret, in order that Manoah may not proceed further. The sum therefore is this, that though Jacob's wish was pious, the Lord does not grant it, because the time of full revelation was not yet completed: for the fathers, in the beginning, were required to walk in the twilight of morning; and the Lord manifested himself to them, by degrees, until, at length, Christ the Sun of Righteousness arose, in whom perfect brightness shines forth. This is the reason why he rendered himself more conspicuous to Moses, who nevertheless was only permitted to behold his glory from behind: yet because he occupied an intermediate place between patriarchs and apostles, he is said, in comparison with them, to have seen, face to face, the God Who had been hidden from the fathers. But now, since God has approached more nearly unto us, our ingratitude is most impious and detestable, if we do not run to meet with ardent desire to obtain such great grace; as also Peter admonishes us in the first chapter of his first epistle. (1 Peter 1:12,13.) It is to be observed, that although Jacob piously desires to know God more fully, yet, because he is carried beyond the bounds prescribed to the age in which he lived, he suffers a repulse: for the Lord, cutting short his wish, commands him to rest contented with his own blessing. But if that measure of illumination which we have received, was denied to the holy man, how intolerable will be our curiosity, if it breaks forth beyond the contended limit now prescribed by God.

Verse 30. And Jacob called the name of the place . 10 The gratitude of our father Jacob is again commended, because he took diligent care that the memory of God's grace should never perish. He therefore leaves a monument to posterity, from which they might know that God had appeared there; for this was not a private vision, but had reference to the whole Church. Moreover, Jacob not only declares that he has seen the face of God, but also gives thanks that he has been snatched from death. This language frequently occurs in the Scriptures, and was common among the ancient people; and not without reason; for, if the earth trembles at the presence of God, if the mountains melt, if darkness overspreads the heavens, what must happen to miserable men! Nay, since the immense majesty of God cannot be comprehended even by angels, but rather absorbs them; were his glory to shine on us it would destroy us, and reduce us to nothing, unless he sustained and protected us. So long as we do not perceive God to be present, we proudly please ourselves; and this is the imaginary life which the flesh foolishly arrogates to itself when it inclines towards the earth. But the faithful, when God reveals himself to them, feel themselves to be more evanescent than any smoke. Finally; would we bring down the pride of the flesh, we must draw near to God. So Jacob confesses that, by the special indulgence of God, he had been rescued from destruction when he saw God. It may however be asked, "Why, when he had obtained so slight a taste only of God's glory, he should boast that he had seen him, face to face?" I answer, it is in no way absurd that Jacob highly celebrates this vision above all others, in which the Lord had not so plainly appeared unto him; and yet, if it be compared with the splendor of the gospel, or even of the law, it will appear like sparks, or obscure rays. The simple meaning then is, that he saw God in an unwonted and extraordinary manner. Now, if Jacob so greatly exults and congratulates himself in that slender measure of knowledge; what ought we to do at this day, to whom Christ, the living image of God, is evidently set before our eyes in the mirror of the gospel! Let us therefore learn to open our eyes, lest we be blind at noonday, as Paul exhorts us in 2 Corinthians 3:1-4:1.

Verse 31. And he halted upon his thigh . It is probable, and it may be gathered even from the words of Moses, that this halting was without the sense of pain, in order that the miracle might be the more evident. For God, in the flesh of his servant, has exhibited a spectacle to all ages, from which the faithful may perceive that no one is such a powerful combatant as not to carry away some wound after a spiritual convict, for infirmity ever cleaves to all, that no one may be pleased with himself above measure. Whereas Moses relates that the Jews abstained from the shrunken sinew, or that part of the thigh in which it was placed: this was not done out of superstition. 11 For that age, as we know, was the infancy of the Church; wherefore the Lord retained the faithful, who then lived, under the teaching of the schoolmaster. And now, though, since the coming of Christ, our condition is more free; the memory of the fact ought to be retained among us, that God disciplined his people of old by external ceremonies.

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#92 Imminent Genesis 32

So he lodged there that same night, and took what came to his hand as a present for Esau his brother: two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams, thirty milk camels with their colts, forty cows and ten bulls, twenty female donkeys and ten foals. Then he delivered them to the hand of his servants, every drove by itself, and said to his servants, "pass over before me, and put some distance between successive droves." And he commanded the first one, saying, "when Esau my brother meets you and asks you, saying, 'to whom do you belong, and where are you going? Whose are these in front of you?' then you shall say, 'they are your servant Jacob's. It is a present sent to my lord Esau; and behold, he also is behind us.' " So he commanded the second, the third, and all who followed the droves, saying, "in this manner you shall speak to Esau when you find him; and also say, 'behold, your servant Jacob is behind us.'" For he said, "I will appease him with the present that goes before me, and afterward I will see his face; perhaps he will accept me." So the present went on over before him, but he himself lodged that night in the camp. Genesis 32: 13-21 NKJV

Still nervous about the meeting with Esau, that draws imminently closer, Jacob sends gifts of livestock in waves before him. He is hoping to squash the thunder of the past and appease the anger he remembered when he left. Jacob has talked to God, but it has still not occurred to him to pray for his brother and the restoration of the relationship. It was probably never a great relationship since they were always polarized by their parents, but God is able to sow where men would shake their heads. 

"Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother." Matthew 18:15 NKJV

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My  people, and I will be your God. I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. Ezekiel 36: 26-29 NKJV

It is easy to see ourselves in the wrong light, and to think we have had something to do with what we now see. The same God, who opened my eyes and softened my heart, can work to restore my brother. Otherwise I have not understood what I believed, nor have I credited the God who has authored my own salvation. I pray that my arrogance subsides, my heart grows soft, but that the truth grows strong within me. I pray that all whom I meet, I will love, and that God will reveal Himself to those I love. Search my heart, oh God, like the Psalmist prayed, and see if there be any wickedness, and lead me in the way everlasting. 

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#91 Anxiety Genesis 32

So Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. When Jacob saw them, he said, "this is God's camp." And he called the name of that place Mahanaim. Then Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother in the land of Seir, the country of Edom. And he commanded them, saying, "speak thus to my lord Esau, 'thus your servant Jacob says: "I have dwelt with Laban and stayed there until now. I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, and male and female servants; and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find favor in your sight." '" Then the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, "we came to your brother Esau, and he also is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him." So Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed; and he divided the people that were with him, and the flocks and herds and camels, into two companies. And he said, "if Esau comes to the one company and attacks it, then the other company which is left will escape." Then Jacob said, "o God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, the Lord who said to me, 'return to your country and to your family, and I will deal well with you' : I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant; for I crossed over this Jordan with my staff, and now I have become two companies. Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, lest he come and attack me and the mother with the children. For you said, 'I will surely treat you well, and make your descendants as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.' " Genesis 32: 1-12 NKJV

As Jacob approaches home, he also approaches an uncertain relationship with his brother. He sends messengers ahead of him, but they return to tell him, that his brother is on his way to greet him with a company of 400 men. Jacob has seen the angelic hosts, but 20 years prior to this his brother had vowed to kill him. In his distress, he divides the people into companies trying to hedge against an attack from his brother. 

Then it comes, the most beautiful prayer I have read thus far. Jacob calls on the God of his father and grandfather. He calls upon the God of his own testimony; the God who told him to return and that he would deal well with him. He comes humbly, realizing that yes, God has said, yet "I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant." He recounts his earlier steps, that he made his journey away from home with nothing but a staff, and that God has increased him to a multitude on his return trip. He fears his brother, but wants to trust God, and is preparing for a heart unchanged in Esau. Jacob is a planner and is running through the scenarios, but whether Esau comes in peace or prepared for war, Jacob is praying for God's deliverance. 

I like to see things well in advance. I rehearse scenarios that may occur at work, and play back the ones I have seen and how I handled them. What could I have done differently? Is there anyway to keep it from happening again? Where do my guys lack training, and did I step out of my position and interfere with them doing their job? We may look at Jacob and think he was rather cold and calculated, but he was trying to survive, and the threats were all too real. I face huge problems at work, but with a team of very talented people that are all trying to find the end of the issue. So I may seem calm there, but they have afforded me that. It is at home, where finances, health or those things for which I do not see a practical or simple solution, take me to the anxiety of Jacob. Prayer is either my last or no resort at all. I strive through scenarios and stress to the point I can no longer think clearly. God help me, I am at another cross roads now, and my wife is of the same mold to stress over a very real financial situation. The other side of this struggle looks wonderful, but the peak of the mountain is covered by clouds of uncertainty. I shall have to pray, and this time I shall start early. It is the only thing we have really fought about in our marriage, but the fighting never led to anything that could not have been found better by prayer and support of one another. Jacob is not so far off in this distant past from me. I am watching those 400 approach right now and am curious to see what God will do.

Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; i will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah Psalms 61: 1-4 NKJV

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and light unto my path.

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#90 Is Anything Ours Genesis 31

And Laban answered and said to Jacob, "these daughters are my daughters, and these children are my children, and this flock is my flock; all that you see is mine. But what can I do this day to those my daughters or to their children whom they have borne? Now therefore, come, let us make a covenant, you and I, and let it be a witness between you and me." So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a pillar. Then Jacob said to his brethren, "gather stones." And they took stones and made a heap, and they ate there on the heap. Laban called it Jegar Sahudutha, but Jacob called it Galeed. And Laban said, "this heap is a witness between you and me this day." Therefore its name was called Galeed, also mizpah, because he said, "may the Lord watch between you and me when we are absent from one another. If you afflict my daughters, or if you take other wives besides my daughters, although no man is with us-see, God is witness between you and me!" Then Laban said to Jacob, "here is this heap and here is this pillar, which I have placed between you and me. This heap is a witness, and this pillar is a witness, that I will not pass beyond this heap to you, and you will not pass beyond this heap and this pillar to me, for harm. The God of Abraham, the God of Nahor, and the God of their father judge between us." And Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac. Then Jacob offered a sacrifice on the mountain, and called his brethren to eat bread. And they ate bread and stayed all night on the mountain. And early in the morning Laban arose, and kissed his sons and daughters and blessed them. Then Laban departed and returned to his place. Genesis 31:43-55 NKJV

Maybe because of being the elder, and or just his greedy nature in general, Laban describes everything that is with Jacob, as his. Jacob received both his wives and livestock as payment agreed upon by Laban. Jacob had nothing upon his arrival twenty years prior to this, but leaves with great wealth. He achieved this during his time with a swindler. God blessed Laban because of Jacob. Laban in turn deceived Jacob, and God used Laban to bless Jacob. It is eating at Laban, and he is not happy with this, and yet, for the fear of God, he does not hurt Jacob. 

Laban moves from his lofty claims of importance to seeking a treaty. They call the name of the place in two languages which both appear to mean "heap of witness", and then Mizpah which means "watch tower. " The treaty marks the heap as a territorial border which neither is to go across with intent to harm the other. Laban invokes their shared ancestors in what may have been a political attempt at harmonizing their beliefs. Jacob has not acknowledged Laban's past pleas of ownership, and at this point choses to swear on the "Fear of Isaac." This was the God who spoke to his father, the God his father reverenced and came to have faith in His words and promises. Jacob seems to have chosen to depart from invoking the God of Laban's understanding. There is only one true God, but Laban has come hunting for his idols. His view of God would not be in line with the God that has revealed himself to Jacob. The God that would have no other God's, and here we come to a separation. Laban leaves, and it would appear that this is the end of their relationship. 

For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. Romans 12:3 NKJV

Pride and greed mixed together allows men to think and do unjustly and walk away feeling justified.

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#89 Strained Genesis 31

And Laban was told on the third day that Jacob had fled. Then he took his brethren with him and pursued him for seven days' journey, and he overtook him in the mountains of Gilead. But God had come to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said to him, "be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad." So Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mountains, and Laban with his brethren pitched in the mountains of Gilead. And Laban said to Jacob: "what have you done, that you have stolen away unknown to me, and carried away my daughters like captives taken with the sword? Why did you flee away secretly, and steal away from me, and not tell me; for I might have sent you away with joy and songs, with timbrel and harp? and you did not allow me to kiss my sons and my daughters. Now you have done foolishly in so doing. It is in my power to do you harm, but the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, 'be careful that you speak neither good nor bad.' And now you have surely gone because you greatly long for your father's house, but why did you steal my gods?" Then Jacob answered and said to Laban, "because I was afraid, for I said, 'perhaps you would take your daughters from me by force.' With whomever you find your gods, do not let them live. In the presence of our brethren, identify what I have of yours and take it with you." For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them. And Laban went into Jacob's tent, into Leah's tent, and into the two maids tents, but he did not find them. Then he went out of Leah's tent and entered Rachel's tent. Now Rachel had taken the household idols, put them in the camel's saddle, and sat on them. And Laban searched all about the tent but did not find them. And she said to her father, "let it not displease my lord that i cannot rise before you, for the manner of women is with me."And he searched but did not find the household idols. Then Jacob was angry and rebuked Laban, and Jacob answered and said to Laban: "what is my trespass? What is my sin, that you have hotly pursued me? Although you have searched all my things, what part of your household things have you found? Set it here before my brethren and your brethren, that they may judge between us both! These twenty years I have been with you; your ewes and your female goats have not miscarried their young, and I have not eaten the rams of your flock. That which was torn by beats I did not bring to you; I bore the loss of it. You required it from my hand, whether stolen by day or stolen by night. There I was! In the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night, and my sleep departed from my eyes. Thus I have been in your house twenty years; I served you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your flock, and you have changed my wages ten times. Unless the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely you would have sent me away empty-handed. God has seen my affliction and the labor of my hands, and rebuked you last night." Genesis 31: 22-42 NKJV

I'm not sure whether Laban actually believes that his daughters could not have left this way, or if he is doing this for dramatic flare. God has told Laban to speak neither good nor bad, which Laban interprets in his address to Jacob as power to harm. He is not to use this, but there is still the matter of the idols and Laban's ego. He has wronged Jacob more than once but is making this solely about himself, his idols and not being able to give a proper send off. Jacob allows him to search the camp for his idols, not realizing that his number one wife has stolen them. It is a bold statement he makes to his uncle in that whoever Laban finds the idol with should die. Men are quick to swear, and the implications here are huge. Jacob is fortunate that Laban does not find the idols, but it is by way of  deception from his own daughter. She tells her father she is in her menstrual period.

After the search for the idols turns up nothing, Jacob goes on a rant. He has pent up much frustration over Laban's shady business practices, and states to Laban that except for God's intervention, Laban would have taken everything and left Jacob empty handed when he left. He left hastily, not only because it was time to go home, but for fear of a dishonest dealer. It is a sad and unfortunate relationship. 

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#88 My Precious Genesis 31

Now Jacob heard the words of Laban's sons, saying, "Jacob has taken away all that was out father's, and from what was our father's he has acquired all this wealth." and Jacob saw the countenance of Laban, and indeed it was not favorable toward him as before. then the Lord said to Jacob, "return to the land of your fathers and to your family, and I will be with you." So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field, to his flock, and said to them, "I see your father's countenance that it is not favorable toward me as before; but the God of my father has been with me. And you know that  with all my might i have served your father. Yet your father has deceived me and changed my wages ten times, but God did not allow him to hurt me. If he said thus: 'the speckled shall be your wages,' then all the flocks bore speckled. And if he said thus: 'the streaked shall be your wages,' then all the flocks bore streaked. So God has taken away the livestock of your father and given them to me. "And it happened, at the time when the flocks conceived, that I lifted my eyes and saw in a dream, and behold, the rams which leaped upon the flocks were streaked, speckled, and gray-spotted. Then the Angel of God spoke to me in a dream, saying, 'Jacob.' And I said, 'here I am.' And He said, 'lift your eyes now and see, all the rams which leap on the flocks are streaked, speckled, and gray-spotted; for I have seen all that Laban is doing to you. I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the pillar and where you made a vow to Me. Now arise, get out of this land, and return to the land of your family.' " Then Rachel and Leah answered  and said to him, "is there still any portion or inheritance for us in our father's house? are we not considered strangers by him? For he has sold us, and also completely consumed our money. For all these riches which God has taken from our father are really ours and our children's; now then, whatever God has said to you, do it." Then Jacob rose and set his sons and his wives on camels. And he carried away all his livestock and all his possessions which he had gained in Padan Aram, to go to his father Isaac in the land of Canaan. Now Laban had gone to shear his sheep, and Rachel had stolen the household idols that were her father's. And Jacob stole away, unknown to Laban the Syrian, in that he did not tell him that he intended to flee. So he fled with all that he had. He arose and crossed the river, and headed toward the mountains of Gilead. Genesis 31: 1-21 NKJV

Laban's sons are not exactly happy for Jacob, and this most likely reached their father's ears as well. Everything was great to them when they were being blessed by God because of Jacob. Now, when Jacob is being blessed, there is this opportunity that goes amiss by them. Laban has deceived Jacob, by switching daughters, and justified it to himself through means of tradition not foreclosed in the original agreement. He did give Jacob the agreed upon daughter a week late but added yet another 7 years. He was only in favor of the current arrangement because he thought it in his favor. There is now the opportunity to admit to wrong and repent; seeing that God is with Jacob and that all Laban had is now being given away. It says that his countenance had changed, and I have seen this a hundred times. I am in the wrong, I have been caught, but I am mad at both the person I wronged for receiving justice, and the one who caught me in the wrong. I choose not to see my part and to find everyone else unjust, and follow the pattern of envy and greed. This assumes that I am above those around me and that my wants justify my behavior.

It is not that what happens here on earth is unimportant, but the things of this earth are not more valuable than the people and our relationships to one another. If success is based solely upon what you acquire materially in this life, then you will leave behind much that has no value in eternity. The want will set your rule, and your desire will be your master. 

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6: 19-21 NKJV

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#87 The Increase Genesis 30

Now Jacob took for himself rods of green poplar and of the almond and chestnut trees, peeled white strips in them, and exposed the white which was in the rods. And the rods which he had peeled, he set before the flocks in the gutters, in the watering troughs where the flocks came to drink, so that they should conceive when they came to drink. So the flocks conceived before the rods, and the flocks brought forth streaked, speckled, and spotted. Then Jacob separated the lambs, and made the flocks face toward the streaked and all the brown in the flock of Laban; but he put his own flocks by themselves and did not put them with Laban's flock. And it came to pass, whenever the stronger livestock conceived, that Jacob placed the rods before the eyes of the livestock in the gutters, that they might conceive among the rods. But when the flocks were feeble, he did not put them in; so the feebler were Laban's and the stronger Jacob's. Thus the man became exceedingly prosperous, and had large flocks, female and male servants, and camel and donkeys. Genesis 30: 37-43 NKJV

I am certain that Jacob is no stranger to animal husbandry and at over a hundred years old, he has been surrounded by it and involved with it his whole life. He is separating out the herd for selective breeding of the stronger animals, but also with the intent to produce animals of the agreed upon traits. I have a very limited understanding of husbandry from breeding tropical fish and reptiles. Some of the explanations I have seen for this passage are a bit of a reach. I would agree from my own practices that yes, there are outside influences that produce some changes in animals. For instance, by varying the incubating temperature of the eggs of certain animals, one can manipulate the sex ratio. In one of my old Ichthyology books I remember being shocked to find an experiment on light duration and angel fish development. The amount of or lack of exposure to light reflected in the fishes appearance. While these things are interesting, they don't produce breeding or locked in traits. As stated in the last blog, I believe the answer to be given in the next chapter. Jacob continues:

"And it happened, at the time when the flocks conceived, that I lifted my eyes and saw in a dream, and behold, the rams which leaped upon the flocks were streaked, speckled, and gray-spotted. Then the angel of God spoke to me in a dream, saying, 'Jacob.' And I said, 'here I am.' And He said, 'lift up your eyes now and see, all the rams which leap on the flocks are streaked, speckled, and gray-spotted; for I have seen all that Laban is doing to you. I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the pillar and where you made a vow to Me. Now arise, get out of this land, and return to the land of your family.'" Genesis 31: 10-13 NKJV

In the end I am not sure of the significance of the rods. I have read other commentaries that suggest they were more of a chemical aid to induce heat in the animals. This would be an aid to him so that he could better control which animals were breeding and when. But that is more of a stimulant, like a heavy  water change would induce breeding cycles when I kept Discus. 

Whether by mechanism of the rods, if you believe that, or by faith such as Naaman washing in the Jordan seven times in obedience before he was healed. The rods could be that of direction from his dream such as the likes of Gideon's lamps or Joshua's march around Jericho. Which ever way you turn on this, the writer in turn brings it back to God. For after all is God not the creator of the material and the mechanisms by which everything pro creates. "We are children playing in His sand box, with the materials He made, and a glorious and wonderful sand box indeed." Jacob is a great herdsmen but Jacob did not create himself nor the animals he breeds; I believe that all belongs to God.

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#86 Odds Genesis 30

So he said, "what shall I give you?" And Jacob said, "you shall not give me anything. If you will do this thing for me, I will again feed and keep your flocks: Let me pass through all your flock today, removing from there all the speckled and spotted sheep, and all the brown ones among the lambs, and the spotted and speckled among the goats; and these shall be my wages. So my righteousness will answer for me in time to come, when everyone that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and brown among the lambs, will be considered stolen, if it is with me." And Laban said, Oh that it were according to your word!" So he removed that day the male goats that were speckled and spotted, all the female goats that were speckled and spotted, everyone that had some white in it, all the brown ones among the lambs, and gave them into the hands of his sons. Then he put three days journey between himself and Jacob, and Jacob fed the rest of Laban's flocks. Genesis 30: 31-36 NKJV

It would appear that Jacob's request is a favorable one to Laban because the odds are genetically against Jacob. Both men seem to be knowledgable in this, but Jacob is counting on the Lord's favor. I don't think the animals were less desirable, but rather less likely. Jacob raises the stakes even higher when he separates the animals, with these apparently recessive genes, from the rest of the herd. I think this seals the deal in Laban's mind because Jacob is removing these animals from the breeding population and is making it even more difficult to selectively breed for these traits. He puts three days journey between the herds, and Jacob stays with Laban's normal looking animals. 

Modern society tends to view its early ancestors as primitive, and maybe in regards to technology there is some basis, but in terms of entropy and overall fitness I tend to think they dwarf us. The modern model appears to me to be upside down. I think both of these men had an understanding of the difficulty of Jacob's proposition, and there was really nothing cunning about it on Jacob's part. It was, if anything, a foolish business proposal. But if Jacob was aware of all these things and he was the worldly wise and shrewd character we had seen scheming in the past, then why such a gamble? Well if you take a completely naturalist view of this then the verses finishing out this chapter will baffle and confound you. You will be left with speculation or as I once thought, a ridiculous story that shows the Bible to be no different than any other man made, primitive legend. There was one thing in the proposal that Jacob could bank on from a naturalist stance and that was his uncles greed. It was guaranteed that he would like this arrangement, and there is the matter. One knows that it is not possible to lose based upon logical calculation, and the other knows God is with him. 

Yet your father has deceived me and changed my wages ten times, but God did not allow him to hurt me. If he said thus: 'the speckled shall be your wages,' then all the flocks bore speckled. And if he said thus: 'the streaked shall be your wages,' then all the flocks bore streaked. So God has taken away the livestock of your father and given them to me. Genesis 31: 7-9 NKJV

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#84 Wages Genesis 30

And it came to pass, when Rachel had borne Joseph, that Jacob said to Laban, "send me away, that I may go to my own place and to my country. Give me my wives and my children for whom I have served you, and let me go; for you know my service which I have done for you." And Laban said to him, "please stay, if I have found favor in your eyes, for I have learned by experience that the Lord has blessed me for your sake." Then he said, "name me your wages, and I will give it." So Jacob said to him, "you know how I have served you and how your livestock has been with me. For what you had before I came was little, and it has increased to a great amount; the Lord has blessed you since my coming. And now, when shall I also provide for my own house?" Genesis 30: 25-30 NKJV

Jacob has served Laban for fourteen years and desires to return home. What started as being impressed by his young relatives ability as a herdsmen, has changed to an understanding that Jacob is blessed. Laban has been blessed because of Jacob, and so he wishes for Jacob to stay. Jacob would like to return home but Laban detains him once again. It is a very common ploy. I have worked for men in the past that will not give so much as a thank you for your blood and sweat, but the moment you have the opportunity to improve your family's situation elsewhere, they offer more wages. Laban realizes he is blessed by Jacob being there, but his greed blinds him from the right thing. It is no secret that Jacob wants to return to the land of his people, and Laban has increased from little to great under his son in law's management. He should have been increasing Jacob all along since he acknowledges that his own great increase has come from God by Jacob. God would have blessed him for blessing Jacob, but God does not soften Laban's heart to let them leave in such a manner. Jacob may be disappointed and not feel respected, but he did receive the wages he asked for both times. Laban is probably patting himself on the back for being a shrewd business man, but he is not honorable. 

Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you! Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days. In deed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter. You have condemned, you have murdered the just; he does not resist you. James 5:1-6 NKJV

That's why it always better to work unto the Lord, for men will not fail in this, that they are corruptible. Be careful when you judge your employees remembering that you cannot stand under scrutiny yourself.  When the time comes that you have no choice other than discipline, do it with a sober mind, and if it becomes easy to punish then it is time for you to step down. 

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#83 The Theology of Mandrakes Genesis 30

Now Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them to his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, "please give me some of your son's mandrakes." But she said to her, "is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband? Would you take away my son's mandrakes also?" And Rachel said, "therefore he will lie with you tonight for your son's mandrakes." When Jacob came out of the field in the evening, Leah went out to meet him and said, "you must come in to me, for I have surely hired you with my son's mandrakes." And he lay with her that night. And God listened to Leah, and she conceived and bore Jacob a fifth son. Leah said, "God has given me my wages, because I have given my maid to my husband." So she called his name Issachar. Then leah conceived again and bore Jacob a sixth son. And leah said, "God has endowed me with a good endowment; now my husband will dwell with me, because I have borne him six sons." So she called his name Zebulun. Afterward she bore a daughter, and called her name Dinah. Then God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her and opened her womb. And she conceived and bore a son, and said, "God has taken away my reproach." So she called his name Joseph, and said, "the lord shall add to me another son." Genesis 30: 14-24 NKJV

So it would appear that Rachel is still desperate for a child and that the relationship between the sisters is still strained. Leah's son finds mandrakes, which some consider to be an aid in fertility. Rachel is quite anxious for these, so trades her husband for some of the homeopathic remedy. So much of their beliefs are steeped in superstition relating to the natural. God had made a covenant with Abraham and He will most certainly accomplish His end, even aside from the superstition and through a fickle people. They make the same assumptions and leaps that I see today. "God has given me my wages, because I have given my maid to my husband." If God is blessing me than it is because I am good, never mind that he causes His rain to fall on the just and the unjust. We tend to think that our actions are justified when things are going well. Leah still feels unloved and hopes that making sons for Jacob will cause him to come to her tent more often. It is a very natural Theology, where even knowing that God exist, the approval of man becomes the idol of the heart. Zebulun means dwelling, and reflects her sorrow and her hope. She wants a husband of her own, to be someones end of day and rising sun. It is not wrong on her part to want this, and it is not wrong for Rachel to want a child. The correct Theology would be to pray, and trust the words of God rather than shape a belief based upon the earthly want. 

This reminds me of the words of my Great Grandmother when I was young. She believed if you were rich it was because you were a good person. If a church grew, it was because they were doing the right thing. She could not let those around her walk in forgiveness from the things of the past, especially if they struggled in the material. Their struggle financially was proof that God was punishing them. She was a respecter of persons, and I loved her but I don't share her views on this. It is not what the scripture teaches. 

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6&7 NKJV

Your grace is sufficient for me.

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#82 To Shape Genesis 30

Now when Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister, and said to Jacob, "give me children, or else I die!" And Jacob's anger was aroused against Rachel, and he said, "am I in the place of God, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?" So she said, "here is my maid Bilhah; go in to her, and she will bear a child on my knees, that I also may have children by her." Then she gave him Bilhah her maid as wife, and Jacob went in to her. And Bilhah conceived and bore Jacob a son. Then Rachel said, "God has judged my case; and He has also heard my voice and given me a son." Therefore she called his name Dan. And Rachel's maid Bilhah conceived again and bore Jacob a second son. Then Rachel said, "with great wrestlings I have wrestled with my sister, and indeed I have prevailed." So she called his name Naphtali. When Leah saw that she had stopped bearing, she took Zilpah her maid and gave her to Jacob as wife. And Leah's maid Zilpah bore Jacob a son. Then Leah said, "a troop comes!" So she called his name Gad. And Leah's maid Zilpah bore Jacob a second son. Then Leah said, "I am happy, for the daughters will call me blessed." So she called his name Asher. Genesis 30: 1-13 NKJV

It would appear that in the culture of the time women were not only judged for certain physical attributes pertaining to appearance but also for their ability to reproduce. They have elevated it to the point of contention between sister and husband. "Give me children or else I die." I laugh, but then so much of this basic and natural belief of hers transcends into my own culture, and so I am shut up again.  What things are so important in life and of such necessity that one can actually without shame or delusion say, "give me … or else I die"?

"Am I in the place of God?" So now Rachel will inquire of God and patiently seek His will. This will be a time of introspection and humility for her. She will grow as an individual. Nope, now the baby war begins. Here is my maid. She will turn to her own way and trust her own judgments. Her pride is at stake and the argument is more valuable than any lesson to be learned from it. As soon as her handmaid delivers, Rachel sees this as testament to God judging her case, and the second time as prevailing in the war with her sister. Jacob goes along with all of this rather easily, and as a man I can most certainly understand why. But from the perspective of family, he would appear to be the only one benefitting from this. Leah responds by fighting back with her own maid, and Jacob is again content with this logic. Does the Bible ever paint a beautiful picture of bigamy? I haven't found it, and the picture of marriage in the Creation narrative does not point to harem life. If you are in such a relationship, I would not even pretend to understand the implications of trying to end it. It affects so many, and if you are the male then what do you do? Who do you chose? It is so easy to judge, but in situations like these, there is no response in haste that does not end in hurt, I can only pray.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, everyone, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6 NKJV

I feel embarrassed again; I have trusted so little. To appeal to what God has in His patience allowed, as the model for my own world view, is to miss the point. I am just as wrong as Jacob, Rachel and Leah on so many levels.

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#81 Sister Wives Genesis 29

"Fulfill her week, and we will give you this one also for the service which you will serve with me still another 7 years." Then Jacob did so and fulfilled her week. So he gave him his daughter Rachel as wife also. And Laban gave his maid Bilhah to his daughter Rachel, as a maid. Then Jacob also went in to Rachel, and he also loved Rachel more than Leah. And he served Laban still another seven years. When the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren. So Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben; for she said, "the Lord has surely looked on my affliction. Now therefore, my husband will love me." Then she conceived again and bore a son, and said, "because the Lord has heard that I am unloved, He has therefore given me this son also." And she called his name Simeon. She conceived again and bore a son, and said, "now this time my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons." Therefore his name was called Levi. And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, "now I will praise the Lord." Therefore she called his name Judah. Then she stopped bearing. Genesis 29:27-35 NKJV

At the end of the week of wedding celebration for Leah, Jacob marries Rachel also. It says that he loved Rachel more. God sees Leah is unloved and comforts her with children. In this culture, it would also be cause and celebration to lift her head. It would appear that she has prayed about this, for in the names of her sons it says, "looked on my affliction, heard that I am unloved, now this time my husband will become attached to me, and now I will praise the Lord." If our spouses are meditating on such things, or wondering where they stand, in the hierarchy of others in our lives, it is a depressing thought. 

This would seem to have strayed from the image in which man was created. The Apostle Paul writes, 

"So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.' This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband." Ephesians 5: 28-33 NKJV

Marriage was yet another picture. It was the covenant between God and His people, and the relationship between Christ and the church. This is not the picture we see here with the sister wives of Genesis 29. They have become a house divided and will divide again. Women have become property and leverage. Men have exchanged the image of Christ for the gratification of self, and I don't think it even occurs to them. It is socially and culturally acceptable.

Whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God has passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Romans 3:25&26 NKJV

It is easy to pick apart the sins of our ancestors, and to judge those that commit acts in accordance with their lack of conviction. If the sins and choices of others result in shock value for you then you have  not laid your eyes upon the cross.

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#80 Betrayed Genesis 29

Then Laban said to Jacob, "because you are my relative, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what should your wages be?" Now Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah's eyes were delicate, but Rachel was beautiful of form and appearance. Now Jacob loved Rachel; so he said, "I will serve you seven years for Rachel your younger daughter." And Laban said, "it is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to another man. Stay with me." So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed only a few days to him because of the love he had for her. Then Jacob said to Laban, "give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go to her." And Laban gathered together all the men of the place and made a feast. Now it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter and brought her to Jacob; and he went in to her. And Laban gave his maid Zilpah to his daughter Leah as a maid. So it came to pass in the morning, that behold, it was Leah. And he said to Laban, "what have you done to me? Was it not for Rachel that I served you? Why then have you deceived me?" And Laban said, "it must not be done so in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn. Fulfill her week, and we will give you this one also for the service which you will serve with me still another seven years." Genesis 29: 15-26 NKJV

Jacob has found acceptance with his uncle, and since he is a relative, Laban offers him wages for his  services. Jacob seizes the opportunity to ask for Rachel's hand in exchange for seven years of service. Laban agrees.

It is said that Laban has two daughters, and that Leah's eyes were delicate. In some translations I have seen the word pale exchanged for the word delicate. This is followed by a phrase that would appear to contrast the two daughters, Rachel was beautiful of form and appearance. I don't think the description of delicate eyes was a compliment, but rather indicative of a less desirable trait. What happens to her next is far worse to me than the deceiver being deceived. 

After 7 years of service for the hand of Rachel, Laban changes the price of the dowry. He exchanges his eldest daughter for Rachel, and Jacob seals the marriage with Leah. Laban gives the excuse that it is not customary for the younger to marry before the elder. Does custom and tradition give license to deceit? Does our heritage excuse our poor morals or will it justify us in our prejudices? It will not hold up before a righteous judge, and I believe it played little into Laban's true motives. He has prospered from the service of Jacob, and been blessed because of him. Laban wants seven more years, and apparently it is also acceptable to gain this at the cost of his daughter's dignity. She wakes beside a man that for seven years had looked forward to this moment with another. Laban banked on Jacob's love of Rachel and left Leah in the cold.

The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit. Psalm 34:18 NKJV

Even the best of men can by nature only love imperfectly. Many people claim to worship no gods and therefore claim no religion. Beauty is a deceptive thing in this matter, not because it is wrong to appreciate that which is beautiful, but because in a fallen state men become blinded by it to all else. For the sake of the body, men do not see the beauty of the soul. I am not saying that Jacob was wrong for feeling betrayed, or even for finding Rachel more physically appealing. What I am trying to say is that love is not bound by appearance, and if the value of a person is based upon physical traits, then the form has become an idol. You will religiously chase this god and it will define your philosophies and your morals. Your judgment will be molded by your lust; you will lift up your desire and cast down the value of all else. It is easy for us, in light of all scripture, to look back and say Leah was wronged, as she was. What is difficult is for us to look around now, in light of all scripture, and tear down those idols that we have even named, Love. 

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her. Ephesians 5:23 NKJV

I realize there are some jumps here, but in the end Laban was wrong to both Jacob and his daughter. Jacob was betrayed but later Christ will show us a better way. Who are we to withhold love, deeming some unworthy. We are all unworthy. 

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#79 Coincidence or Providence? Genesis 29

So Jacob went on his journey and came to the land of the people of the East. And he looked, and saw a  well in the field; and behold, there were three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks. A large stone was on the well's mouth. Now all the flocks would be gathered there; and they would roll the stone from the well's mouth, water the sheep, and put the stone back in its place on the well's mouth. And Jacob said to them, "my brethren, where are you from?" And they said, "we are from Haran." Then he said to them, " do you know Laban the son of Nahor?" And they said, "we know him." So he said to them, "is he well?" And they said, "he is well. And look, his daughter Rachel is coming with the sheep." Then he said, "look, it is still high day; it is not time for the cattle to be gathered together. Water the sheep, and go and feed them." But they said, "we cannot until all the flocks are gathered together and they have rolled the stone from the well's mouth; then we water the sheep." Now while he was still speaking with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep, for she was a shepherdess. 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 and rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother. Then Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice and wept. And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father's relative and that he was Rebekah's son. So she ran and told her father. Then it came to pass, when Laban heard the report about Jacob his sister's son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him and kissed him, and brought him to his house. So he told Laban all these things. And Laban said to him, "surely you are my bone and my flesh." And he stayed with him for a month. Genesis 29: 1-14 NKJV

Jacob reaches the land of his mother's brother and comes to a well that is covered with a stone. I am not sure why they cover it, but it may be to keep other animals out, or dust from the surrounding area. We have seen in earlier passages where water is a precious resource that is even quarreled over. 

He comes to this place and meets men who know Laban, and point out Laban's daughter to him. She is a shepherdess and bringing her father's sheep to water. His mother has sent him here in fear of losing him, his father sent him for a wife, and God has told him that He is with him. The report of the men and the vision of Rachel approaching the well must have bestowed an overwhelming feeling of providence.  He seems to push the other shepherds along, wanting them to leave. He most likely wants to greet Rachel alone because he is brimming with emotion. It says he kissed Rachel and lifted up his voice and wept.

Even there your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me. Psalm 139:10 NKJV

A wonderful excerpt on Providence. 

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#78 "I Will not Leave You" Genesis 28

Now Jacob went out from Beersheba and went toward Haran. So he came to a certain place and stayed there all night, because the sun had set. And he took one of the stones of that place and put it at his head, and he lay down in that place to sleep. Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. And behold, the Lord stood above it and said; "I am the Lord God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth; you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north and the south; and in you and in your seed all the families to the earth shall be blessed. Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you." Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, "surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it." And he was afraid and said, "how awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!" Then Jacob rose early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put at his head, set it up as a pillar, and poured oil on top of it. And he called the name of that place Bethel; but the name of that city had been Luz previously. Then Jacob made a vow, saying, "if God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on, so that I come back to my father's house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God. And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God's house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You." Genesis 28: 10-22 NKJV

God has chosen Jacob to carry the seed of Abraham, but here he is on a journey away from his father's house, and leaving on bad terms with his brother. He has received the blessing of his father Isaac, but  his current circumstances must ring with the air of uncertainty. Surely he has heard the stories of his ancestors, but tonight, in this place of rest, his heart will be consoled by the words of God. 

Jacob is given the Abrahamic covenant with a vision of angels ascending and descending from heaven. A spiritual message is given with images relatable to a very natural Jacob. The messengers of God, the involvement of God, God over all, and "behold I am with you and will keep you wherever you go." He  is not alone, and awakes in awe of both the revelation and the God who brings it. He pours oil on the rock that was at his head, and renames the place Bethel, or "House of God." 

Jacob also offers God a tenth of all that God gives him. Some would say that this is Jacob so of course he would make a deal for protection and food, but he says if God be with me, and keep me, and give me. He is, with this tenth, acknowledging the place from where all blessings came from. The God of Abraham has become the God of Jacob. 

 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 1 Timothy 6: 7&8

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