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lowship gathering: “The Lord watch between us and keep us from ever seeing each other again.” The study of the lesson will serve to throw light upon the true meaning of “Mizpah.” How much better to say “The Lord overshadow us while we are apart and keep us in loving fellowship with each other, and with Him.” (3) THE PROVIDENTIAL OVERSIGHT “God hath seen mine affliction and the labor of mine hands, and hath rebuked the gainsayer,” 31:42. Jacob has come to the place where God commands him to leave Laban. In Laban we had a type of the old nature — carnal. Jacob is fruitful, with children and cattle and flocks. The old man would hold him. Jacob’s labor had been hard (31:40) «"Thus I w a s ; in th e d a y t h e d r o u g h t c o n s u m e d m e , a n d th e f r o s t b y n ig h t; a n d m y s le e p d e p a r te d fr o m m in e e y e s .” Laban’s condition when Jacob commenced to serve him is described in chapter 30:30: “ F o r I t w a s l i t t l e w h ic h th o u h a d s t b e fo re I c a m e , a n d i t is n o w in c re a s e d n n to a m u ltitu d e ; a n d th e L o rd h a t h b le s s e d th e e s in c e m y c o m in g ; a n d n o w w h e n s h a ll I p ro v id e f o r m in e o w n h o u s e a ls o ? ” His blessings came through Jacob (the name meaning, “the salt of the earth” ). All the blessings now bestowed upon .the earth come through the church, and then the church is removed— caught up— desolation and destruction await the children of men. Jacob has a longing for the homeland. It is a God-given longing, like Paul’s longing for his heavenly home; “To depart and be with Christ, which is far better” (Phil. 1 :23 ). To understand God’s «dealings with Jacob we must not forget God’s promise (28:15) “ A n d , b e h o ld , I a m w ith th e e , a n d w ill k e e p th e e in a ll p la c e s w h ith e r th o u g o c s t, a n d w ill b r in g th e e a g a in in to th is la n d ; f o r I w ill n o t le a v e th e e u n t i l I h a v e d o n e t h a t w h ic h X h a v e s p o k e n to th e e o f.” Topics for Study (1) Human nature, as illustrated by the Bible narratives. (2) The great and grave events which often eventuate from minor matters. (3 ) Is anything impossible with God? (4) What is the purpose of the hard trials and testings which so often come to believers? (5 ) Though the fulfillment of God’s promises are often postponed, may we be confident of their ultimate completion? (6) Though “Mizpah” is not an appropriate benediction for believers, does the fact of sin make it necessary between saint and sinner? (7 ) How does the example of Rachel exemplify the folly of false living? Jacob’s life at Haran was one long prolonged discipline in various ways. He was almost continually in the crucible, whether through the faults and sins of others or through his own unworthy and sinful expedients. The entire storj is full of sad and sordid incidents, but COMMENTS as we read it we shall do well to bear FROM THE . in mind that the long-suffering patience COMMENTARIES of God was all the while at work with V. V. Morgan his unworthy servant.—W. H. Griffith Thomas. Verse 23, chapter 29.— Laban thereupon prepares for the usual wedding feast, which in the East, lasts seven days, and then, under cover of the darkness, and according to Eastern custom, he brings his daughter closely veiled to the tent of Jacob. Jacob is soon made aware of the treachery of Laban, to which Leah was a party, though probably with no real power to resist her father’s will, indeed was she likely in any case to resist it, since it is evident that a deep love for Jacob had sprung up in her heart.—W. H. Griffith Thomas.
His ways are never man’s ways. Our lesson which gives the story of twenty years in Laban’s home, demonstrates this truth. Jacob had a hearty reception and was a guest for a month. Laban, the shrewd, calculating uncle, had found a real man and decided to use him to further his own inter ests. (2 ) THE PATIENT WORKER “Tarry, for I have learned by experience that the Lord hath blessed me for thy sake.” 30:27. Laban knew that he had in Jacob a prize “bread-win ner.” He probably knew the story of the Esau experience and that Jacob was in no hurry to return, and planned to make the most of his prize. Jacob loved Rachel. He had no property with which to buy her and endow her, as was the custom, and no dowry to give to Laban, so he offered to work seven years for her. The bargain was made, but when the time was up' Laban played the same game with Jacob that Jacob had played with his father. Isaac knew not when.he blessed Jacob, and Jacob knew not when h e, married Leah. Laban made a new seven year contract for Rachel. God never sanctioned polygamy (Gen. 2:23, 24) “A n d A d a m s a id . T h is is n o w b o n e o* m y b o n e s , a n d fle sh o f m y fle s h ; s h e s h a ll h e c a lle d W o m a n , b e c a u s e s h e w a s ta k e n o u t o f M an . T h e r e f o r e s h a ll a m a n le a v e h is f a t h e r a n d m o th e r, a n d s h a ll c le a v e u n to h is w ife ; a n d th e y s h a ll b e o n e fle sh .” (Matt. 19:3-6). Jacob is to have a seven year lesson in patience. He must learn to get things in God’s way and in God’s time. God’s authority and sovereignty are also manifest in the giving and withholding of children. God blessed Laban for Jacob’s sake, and Laban became greedy and induced Jacob to make a third contract. Here Laban over-reached himself and had to pay the price. Six years more did Jacob serve for the flocks and herd, and God blessed him. By strategy Jacob made good. The story of Jacob’s decision to separate from Laban is too long to give the details. Jacob had carefully planned his campaign, separating the flocks, and succeeding in get ting seven days’ distance between himself and Laban. Ra chel had stolen her father’s images which he no doubt used in his worship. (31:30) “A n d n o w , th o u g h th o u w o u ld e s t n e e d s toe g o n e , b e c a u s e th o u s o re lo n g e s t a f t e r t h y f a t h e r ’s h o u s e , y e t w h e r e f o r e h a s t th o u s to le n m y g o d s ? ” Laban used this as a justifying cause for searching the caravan (31:37) Laban confesses that God had com manded him not to interfere with Jacob (3 1 :2 9 ). It is hard for him to see his daughters and the flocks taken away, and he is in fear for the future lest Jacob should retaliate. Laban had poured out a tirade against Jacob, and Jacob had poured out vials of wrath against Laban. The long pent up hatred of Laban’s twenty years of cruel hardships imposed upon him, now bursts its bonds, and pours from his soul. It is well, indeed, for them to part and Laban, crafty Laban, proposes to protect himself by the signing of a compact. A stone is to be erected and named, which will be the sign that neither one is to cross the border. The stones are a witness: “I will not pass over this heap to thee, and thou w ilt not pass over this heap to me.” Jacob was required to promise that he would never pass over to harm Laban, and swore by the fear of his father Isaac that he would not. Then a sacrifice was offered, and the next morning La ban kissed his sons and daughters and departed for his home. Poor Laban! Pity him, and all his kind. What a strange term is “Mizpah” to be used in a fel
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