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182 THE KING’S BUSINESS The International Sunday School Lessons By J. H. S. LESSON III.—April 20th.—J acob M eets E sau .—Gen. 32:3—33:17. G olden T ext : Be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, even as God also in Christ forgave you. —Eph. 4:2. A. R. V. I. J acob at H aran .
remembered His promise; Jacob forgot his prayers. Had he prayed at Bethel he might not have gone to Haran ; had he prayed at Haran (we do not read of it) he might have escaped most of his troubles and all of his meanness. Prayer kills sin. Sin kills prayer. Jacob did twentieth cen tury business at Haran, it does little bus iness with the Lord. Preying and praying sound and spell similar, that is all they have in common. From Bethel to Bethel (35:1-6) nothing commends Jacob to God or man. That he found special Divine favor surprises all, and offends many. But God can best show grace on no grace. The story is for repentant sinners and de linquent saints in all ages (Rom. 15:4). II. J acob ’ s F light . 1. His Prosperity. He had gained eleven sorts, many servants, flocks and herds. Strained relations with envious Laban made his longer stay perilous. 2. The God of Bethel. To save him the Lord appeared saying, “I am the God of Bethel.” Had Jacob in his gainful, grasping business forgotten Him, that he needed this introduction? It looks like it. He surely had not grown in grace. In stead of going openly, like a man of faith, at the word of ,God, he fell back on schem ing, and “stole away.” Underhanded deal ing is distrust as it is dishonesty; con temptible in all, condemnable in Chris tians, .and disowned by God. It was a wonder of grace that Jacob escaped. What glory might have been his had he cast him self boldly on the Lord at Haran, Who extricated him from his miserable plight at Mizpeh (31:29, 49), where those lov ing kinsmen, uncle and nephew, set up a
1. His Safe Arrival. “Jacob lifted up his feet,” etc. (29:1, Heb.) ; light heart ed, light footed for Jehovah’s promised presence and protection (28:15). The same promise is yours (Matt. 28:20; Heb. 13:14). Lift up your feet! 2. His Welcome. Led direct to his kindred, it was most affectionate. Note the phrase “his mother’s brother.” There were kisses, sobs, tears (29:11), entertainment. How beautiful. 3. The Sequel. “Beautiful!” but it serves to deepen the shame of subsequent dealings. They met with show of love ; they dwelt in mutual suspicion, drove hard bargains, parted at last in bad temper. With strangers this were bad enough; with brethren (disgraceful,—ÿet common, and usually inspired by greed.. The pitiful story (29-31) records Laban’s treachery, Jacob’s sharp practice, Rachel’s envy, Leah’s jealousy; the unhallowed polygamy (sanctioned by custom, unrebuked by Di vine precept, but punished by providence) ; the alienation of father and daughters, of son-in-law and father-in-law; the clan destine flight, and murderous pursuit. It is not a pretty picture. Had Jacob walked in the steps of his father Abraham (Rom. 4:12), trusting God for his fortuné; avoid-/ ing strife (13:8, 9), content with Jehovah for his shield and reward (15:1), he had appeared as magnanimous as now pusilan- imous. He is a fair type of average pro fessors. A 4. The Secret of It. He did not pray as Eliezer (24:27), nor, therefore, give thanks for the happy outcome of his jour ney (24:27)—no prayer, no praise. God
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