June 1930
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V. 20. Jacob served seven years. His business was that of sheep herder, at which he was an expert. The story of La ban’s deceit at the end of the seven years, and of Jacob’s service seven years more for Rachel, are omitted from the present lesson. IV; Reconciled Brethren (33:1-4). Vs. 1-2. Behold, Esau was coming. The flight from Laban’s household, the separa tion between them at Mizpah, and the all- night struggle of Jacob at Peniel, are passed over. The supplanter and schemer had come to the end of himself. His offended brother was advancing with four hundred armed men. In such an extrem ity he was cast upon God for protection and help. Divided the children. He placed his family in groups; the handmaids and their children first, then Leah and her children, and finally the beloved Rachel and Joseph. This order was for the pur pose of putting the most beloved in the place of greatest safety in case of attack. V. 3. He himself passed over. Jacob took the place of greatest danger, going alone to meet Esau and his army. Bowed himself. Bowing to the ground seven times was a token of Jacob’s humility, and also a confession of guilt and of complete submission. It was, in fact, a yielding back to his brother the blessing he had stolen from him. Esau ran to meet him. The grace of God' had conquered and re moved the hatred from his heart. Jacob, too, had been conquered and when his ways pleased the Lord, God made his enemy to be at peace with him (cf. Prov. 16:7). V. Jacob at Shechem (33:18). V. 18. Jacob came in peace. This happy ending of the patriarch’s journeys and trials fulfilled the promise of God given him years before that he should go hack to his home in peace. The city of She chem. Later this became one of the chief cities of Samaria. Jacob’s well was there, made memorable by Jesus’ conversation with the woman of Samaria (John 4:5- 26). There, too, Joseph was buried. * * He L esson Q uestions Gen. 25 :29. What was “pottage” ? What had Esau been doing? In what condition of body was he? V. 30. What request did Esau make? What is the meaning of the word “Edom” ? V. 31. What demand did Jacob make? What privileges were included in the birthright? Did the birthright belong to Jacob by birth? Had God promised the birthright to Jacob? To which of the sons did Isaac wish to give it? Should Jacob have waited for God to give him the birthright ? V. 32. Was Esau about to die, or did he exaggerate ? What was1his attitude to ward the birthright? What does this show concerning his character? V. 33. What did Jacob demand? Would an oath be binding upon Esau? V. 34. Was Esau quickly revived? What did he do after his meal? What does this indicate as to his true character ? Did he afterwards regret that he had sold out so cheaply (cf. Heb. 12:17)? 28,:18. What had caused Jacob to leave home? What vision had he seen? What impression had this made upon him? What was the meaning of the consecrated pillar?-
V. 19. What is the meaning of the word “Bethel” ? Why did he give the place that name? Vs. 20-21. What is a vow? Had God already promised to be with Jacob, keep him, and bring him back to his father’s house? If so, may we read, “Since God will be with me,” etc.? V. 22. What does this teach about the duty and privilege of tithing (cf. Matt. 23:23). 29:18. To what land did Jacob go? Why did he seek a wife there and not among the heathen of Canaan? Vs. 19-20. Did Laban accept Jacob’s of fer? Did he prove himself as cunning a schemer as Jacob? Was Jacob deceived by him ? 23:1. What experience had Jacob had at Peniel which prepared him to meet his brother? With what retinue was Esau approaching? Did he still hate Jacob? V. 2. What plan did Jacob make to protect his household? V. 3. How did Jacob show his humil ity? Did his attitude also involve a con fession of his guilt in robbing his brother ? V. 4. What did Esau do? Had he been conquered by Jacob’s presence or by the power of God? 33:18. To what place did Jacob go? In what part of the land was it located? When he “came in peace” to that place, was God’s promise to him at Bethel ful filled? * * * P ractical P oints 1. There were two great crises in the life of Jacob. At Bethel he covenanted with God for protection and blessing. At Peniel he yielded to God in brokenness of spirit. 2. At Bethel Jacob approached God, for it was to him “the gate of heaven.” At Peniel he saw God face to face. 3. The vision of the glory of God al ways brings to men the consciousness of human weakness and worthlessness. 4. The man who has humbled himself under the mighty hand of God does not find it difficult to humble himself before a brother whom he has wronged. 5. Jacob did not escape the conse quences of his sin by running away. God knew where to find him and how to dis cipline him. 6. Only those over whom God has pre vailed will ever prevail with God. 7. Jacob illustrates the discipline of faith. An Esau never submits to the dis
cipline (chastening) of a son (Heb. 12: 5-11). 8. Esau was a “profane” man in the sense that he was Worldly minded. The spiritual meaning of the birthright did not appeal to him. 9. “The house of God” (Bethel) is found wherever God is worshiped in spirit and in truth (Jno. 4:24). 10. A heavenly life is always preceded by a heavenly vision (cf. Acts 26:19). 11. Jacob’s love for Rachel stands out in sharp contrast with much in his char acter that was sordid and mean. He was not altogether bad. 12. The usual view of the meaning of Jacob’s experience at Peniel is that by surrender and prevailing prayer the sup- planter became a prince. Another plau sible and interesting interpretation has it that Jacob before Peniel was a prince, born to rule, but after his surrender he became one whom God commanded. The argument for this view runs as follows: (1) The Hebrew word for prince orig inally signified simply one who ruled or commanded in any sphere. This title could properly be applied to Jacob for he attempted to lord it over everybody. (2) At Peniel there was no wrestling in the physical sense. The “man” [Jehovah] needed but to touch the prince and he be came powerless. The Hebrew word trans lated “wrestled” is found only here. It is from a root that means “dust,” hence it is possible to make the passage mean, the “man” [Jehovah] laid him in the dust. (3) The overcoming of Jacob’s physical powers was easy, but the breaking of his will was difficult. The contest continued through the hours of the night, and fin ally the “man” said, “Send me away” not “Let" me go,” as in the English version. The equivalent Greek word in the Sep- tuagint is apostello from which we get the English word “apostle.” The “man” [Jehovah] offered Himself as Jacob’s Apostle and Advocate, to deal with Esau. Jacob must surrender his will, stop his scheming, and comit his cause to his Ad vocate. (4) The reconciliation between the two brethren proves that the Advo cate had accomplished what Jacob could not do. The transformed supplanter was named Israel. The meaning of “Israel” has been much discussed. It contains the same root [ w ] which appears in the He brew word translated prince, which has the idea of ruling or commanding. The last syllable of the word, “El," is the divine name. If this view is correct the word Israel means “God commands.” That is, Jacob by surrender became one whom God commanded whereas he had formerly been a prince who tried to command God. * * * G olden T ext I llustration A Sunday-school teacher once remark ed that he who buys the truth makes a good bargain, and inquired if any scholar recollected an instance in Scripture of a bad bargain. “I do,” replied a boy. “Esau made a bad bargain when he sold his birth right for a mess of pottage” (Gen. 25:33). A second said: “Judas made a bad bar gain when he sold his Lord for thirty pieces of silver” (Matt. 27:5). A third boy observed: “Our Lord tells us that he makes a bad bargain, who; to gain the whole world, loses his own soul” (Matt. 16:26). Three bad bargains indeed.
Voices From Other Lands I ndia . What I like so much in your paper is that you stand on the firm foundation of the Bible. So. A frica . I find T he K ing ’ s B usiness exceptionally good- W est A frica . Y ou are keeping up with the “signs o f the times" and we find encouragement in it. N ew Z ealand . There is such, a sense of reliableness in its state ments. E ngland . Your paper ( T h e K ing ’ s B usiness ) is the best and most interesting I have ever come across.
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