Sivut kuvina
PDF
ePub

and the evening approaches. He is weary with his journey, and lies down to sleep under the naked canopy of heaven, with nothing but the ground for his bed, and the stones for his pillow. There lies the heir of the promises, the man whom God had chosen, and whom God had blessed.

CHAPTER XXIX.

1 Jacob cometh to the well of Haran. 9 He taketh acquaintance of Rachel. 13 Laban entertaineth him. 18 Jacob covenanteth for Rachel. 23 He is deceived with Leah. 28 He marrieth also Rachel, and serveth for her seven years more. 32 Leah beareth Reuben, 33 Simeon, 31 Levi, 35 and Judah.

And what Teine into the land of the people of the THEN Jacob 'went on his journey, and came into

brought him to that spot? By way of correction and chastisement, it was for his sin. In the providence of God, he was led thither for mercy and peace, though the journey was undertaken to escape his brother's fury. Conceive how he mourned and wept over his recent misdeeds; how he was astonished and surprised at the goodness of God. He slept and dreamed. A ladder set upon the earth, with the top reaching up to heaven, appeared before him; and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it!

May we not see here a beautiful type of Jesus, the true ladder; the one appointed way to the Father. Did not Christ himself allude to this event being verified in his own triumphant ascension on high? (John i. 51.) Contemplate this way to the Father. On earth was the foot of this ladder fixed in his incarnation, suffering, and death. But its top reached up to heaven, when he returned to the Father, having finished the work which was given him to do. In that Saviour thus humbled, and thus exalted, God is revealed as a covenant God, reconciled and at peace. There he stands, ready to receive all who will come to him. In and through that Saviour all his gracious promises are given; and for his sake they shall all be fulfilled to his praise and glory. The God of Abraham and Isaac becomes the God of Jacob, and He is the believer's God for ever. Now, what does the Lord speak to his fugitive servant? Among other blessings, he says, "I am with thee," I will "keep thee," "I will not leave thee till I have done that which I have spoken to thee of." (v. 15.) That is, as the apostle expounds it, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." (Heb. xiii. 5.) Oh, my soul! may the Lord bless thee, and keep thee, and never leave, nor forsake thee! May he bring thee safe to thy journey's end, and, by the glorious ladder thus revealed, raise thee up at last to his eternal kingdom.

[blocks in formation]

5 And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? And they said, We know him.

6 And he said unto them, 3 Is he well? And they said, He is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep.

7 And he said, Lo, it is yet high day, neither is it time that the cattle should be gathered together: water ye the sheep, and go and feed them.

8 And they said, We cannot, until all the flocks be gathered together, and till they roll the stone from the well's mouth; then we water the sheep.

9 ¶ And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep: for she kept them.

10 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 near, and rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother.

11 And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept.

12 And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father's brother, and that he was Rebekah's son and she ran and told her father.

[blocks in formation]

serve me for nought? tell me, what shall thy wages be?

16 And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.

17 Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured.

18 And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.

19 And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me.

20 And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.

21 ¶ And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her.

22 And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast.

23 And it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him; and he went in unto her.

24 And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid for an handmaid.

25 And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?

7

26 And Laban said, it must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn.

27 Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.

28 And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also.

29 And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his handmaid to be her maid.

30 And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years.

31 ¶ And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.

32 And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name 8 Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love

me.

33 And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the LORD hath heard that I was hated, he hath therefore given me this son also: and she called his name 'Simeon.

34 And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband

[blocks in formation]

How kind is that Providence which guides our steps, and watches over all our ways! Such is the care which the Lord exercises over his people. Abraham had found it to be so; so had Isaac. And in the chapter before us we find Jacob watched and led and blessed by the same gracious "keeper of Israel." But how may we judge when we are under the special leading of Providence in any particular emergency; such, for example, as that before us? Generally speaking, there will be a concurrence of events, intimately connected with each other, for bringing to pass the intended design. Who can doubt that Abraham's servant, when sent to take a wife for his master's son, was specially directed by God to bring it to pass? All things worked together for that end. And who can hesitate in forming a similar conclusion respecting Jacob's journey, and his coming to the house of Laban on this occasion? All things work together for that

event.

He comes to a well; there were flocks of sheep waiting to be watered. He enquires from the shepherds whence they come. He is told from Haran, whither he was going. He makes enquiries after his relative. Whilst he is speaking Laban's daughter approaches with their flocks; and thus the way was opened for his introduction into Laban's house. Can any one doubt the hand of God in all these things? And who may not trace the same merciful hand in his own career, who has ever had any experience of the Lord's merciful dealings with his soul? "I being in the way, the Lord led me to the house of my master's brethren." (Gen. xxiv. 27.)

Let us not pass over Jacob's treatment there. He was, indeed, kindly received; but he soon found that he had to deal with an

artful and cunning man. Laban took advantage of Jacob's necessities to turn his labour into a source of profit. Thus he who overreached his brother in getting possession of the birthright, is overreached by Laban in obtaining his services by cheating him in the bargain for his wife. Thus God often deals with men according to their works, and requites them in kind, though not always in the same way, for their previous iniquities. Did not Jacob see and feel this, in Laban's treacherous dealings? No doubt he did, and often mourned in secret over the sin that brought him into his present distress. Have you thus mourned over your sins? you lamented them before God? cried for pardon, and asked for amend your life?

Have

Have you grace to

spirit of a His whole

Again: may you not see the worldly man in all Laban does? object was to gain by Jacob. The welfare of his children was but little thought of; so that he could increase his store by their husband's labours. Alas! how many parents are ready to barter their children's comfort for the sake of forming a good connexion? whether such connexion may be for their soul's good or not, never enters their calculation! And what follows? Much the same as in Jacob's and Laban's households: jealousy, contention, anger, and strife! Let all watch against a worldly spirit; let all guard against sin; let all commit their ways to the Lord, crave his mercy, and order their lives according to his Holy Word.

CHAPTER XXX.

1 Rachel, in grief for her barrenness, giveth Bilhah her maid unto Jacob. 5 She beareth Dan and Naphtali. 9 Leah giveth Zilpah her maid, who beareth Gad and Asher. 14 Reuben findeth mandrakes, with which Leah buyeth her husband of Rachel. 17 Leah beareth Issachar, Zebulun, and Dinah. 22 Rachel beareth Joseph. 25 Jacob desireth to depart. 27 Laban stayeth him on a new covenant. 37 Jacob's policy, whereby he became rich.

AND when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob

no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die.

2 And Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel and he said, Am I in God's stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb?

3 And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah,

go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my knees, that I may also have children by her.

4 And she gave him Bilhah her handmaid to wife and Jacob went in unto her.

5 And Bilhah conceived, and bare Jacob a

son.

6 And Rachel said, God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son: therefore called she his name Dan.

7 And Bilhah Rachel's maid conceived again, and bare Jacob a second son.

8 And Rachel said, With great wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed: and she called his name 'Naphtali.

9 When Leah saw that she had left bearing, she took Zilpah her maid, and gave her Jacob to wife.

10 And Zilpah Leah's maid bare Jacob

[blocks in formation]

12 And Zilpah Leah's maid bare Jacob a second son.

13 And Leah said, "Happy am I, for the daughters will call me blessed: and she called his name Asher.

14 And Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest, and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them unto his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, Give me, I pray thee, of thy son's mandrakes.

15 And she said unto her, Is it a small matter that thou hast taken my husband? and wouldest thou take away my son's mandrakes also? And Rachel said, Therefore he shall lie with thee to night for thy son's mandrakes.

16 And Jacob came out of the field in the evening, and Leah went out to meet him, and said, Thou must come in unto me; for surely I have hired thee with my son's mandrakes. And he lay with her that night.

17 And God hearkened unto Leah, and she conceived, and bare Jacob the fifth son.

18 And Leah said, God hath given me my hire, because I have given my maiden to my husband: and she called his name Issachar.

19 And Leah conceived again, and bare Jacob the sixth son.

20 And Leah said, God hath endued me. with a good dowry; now will my husband dwell with me, because I have born him six sons: and she called his name 'Zebulun.

21 And afterwards she bare a daughter, and called her name 10 Dinah.

22 ¶ And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb.

23 And she conceived, and bare a son; and said, God hath taken away my reproach:

24 And she called his name "Joseph; and said, The LORD shall add to me another son.

25 And it came to pass, when Rachel had born Joseph, that Jacob said unto Laban, Send me away, that I may go unto mine own place, and to my country.

26 Give me my wives and my children, for whom I have served thee, and let me go: for thou knowest my service which I have done thee.

27 And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favour in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by experience that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake.

28 And he said, Appoint me thy wages, and I will give it.

29 And he said unto him, Thou knowest how I have served thee, and how thy cattle was with me.

12

30 For it was little which thou hadst before I came, and it is now increased unto a multitude; and the LORD hath blessed thee 13 since my coming and now when shall I provide for mine own house also?

31 And he said, What shall I give thee? And Jacob said, Thou shalt not give me any thing: if thou wilt do this thing for me, I will again feed and keep thy flock.

32 I will pass through all thy flock to day, removing from thence all the speckled and spotted cattle, and all the brown cattle among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats: and of such shall be my hire.

33 So shall my righteousness answer for me in time to come, when it shall come for my hire before thy face: every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and brown among the sheep, that shall be counted stolen with me.

34 And Laban said, Behold, I would it might be according to thy word.

35 And he removed that day the he goats that were ringstraked and spotted, and all the she goats that were speckled and spotted, and every one that had some white in it, and all the brown among the sheep, and gave them into the hand of his sons.

36 And he set three days' journey betwixt himself and Jacob: and Jacob fed the rest of Laban's flocks.

37¶ And Jacob took him rods of green poplar, and of the hazel and chesnut tree; and pilled white strakes in them, and made the white appear which was in the rods.

38 And he set the rods which he had pilled before the flocks in the gutters in the watering troughs when the flocks came to drink, that they should conceive when they came to drink.

39 And the flocks conceived before the rods, and brought forth cattle ringstraked, speckled, and spotted.

40 And Jacob did separate the lambs, and set the faces of the flocks toward the ringstraked, and all the brown in the flock of Laban; and he put his own flocks by themselves, and put them not unto Laban's cattle.

41 And it came to pass, whensoever the stronger cattle did conceive, that Jacob laid the rods before the eyes of the cattle in the

gutters, that they might conceive among the

[blocks in formation]

THIS history of Jacob is very instructive, in bringing to light some of the corrupt workings of the human heart, and the faults and chastisements of the children of God. Laban was an artful, overreaching, worldly man; he thought of nothing but his gains. There was also much of the same mind in Jacob; though, in his case, it was counteracted, in a great measure, by the grace of God. The man who would take another by the heel was not an unapt interpretation of his character, as well as his name. The history of the birthright proves this, and his sojourning with Laban further illustrates these marks of his character. If we are not led by the Spirit of God, natural corruptions will undoubtedly have the sway; and even though we have grace in our hearts there will be constant need of watchfulness and prayer, that we may be kept from being surprised by temptation, or overcome by sin. It is in the occurrences of life that the character is developed; and he that has not often been tried in this way is but little known, either to himself or others.

This chapter suggests to us these reflections: Laban saw how much he was benefited by Jacob's services, and he wished to retain him in his hands. Jacob perceived the craftiness of his father in law, and he requited him much in the same way in renewing the

engagement. This was wrong, and, in either case, the correction went hand in hand with the sin. We should always bear in mind that excellent precept, "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Rom. xii. 21.) How many unpleasant circumstances might never have occurred between Laban and Jacob had that principle been acted upon.

But worldly people are not to be trusted when they speak after a godly manner. There are times when it suits their purpose to speak of the labours of the children of God with gratitude and respect, though they mean nothing more than to further their own interests. When Laban besought Jacob to tarry with him, and said, "I have learned by experience that the Lord hath blessed me for thy sake," one might have supposed he really valued that blessing; whereas the event proved the contrary. For when Jacob proposed the nature of his wages, it seemed so unlikely to Laban that Jacob should ever get any profit from him, and that all the advantage would be on his own side, that he immediately took him at his word, and fixed him for a longer period in his service. But to say nothing of the means that Jacob employed for the conception of the cattle according to his agreement, it appears from the next chapter that the Lord had made some revelations to him on the subject, seeing the hardships he had to endure. These things afford no precedents for imitation, but they clearly teach us that the Lord is the patron of the injured; that he will plead the cause of his people, and make their oppressors to see, sooner or later, that he loves them.

It is, however, in the plain path of duty we are to expect God's favour; and he who goes out of the way of duty, or acts in opposition to it, must expect rebuke before he receives a blessing. Are we not also taught that "the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof?" (Ps. xxiv. 1.) Do we not see that he giveth it to whom he pleases? And in the course of time how soon do earthly possessions change hands? God takes from one and gives to another. Blessed be God, spiritual blessings are not so; they are never taken away from his people. And such is the amazing fulness of Christ, that he can pardon, bless, and enrich them all for ever and ever.

[blocks in formation]

saying, Jacob hath taken away all that was our father's; and of that which was our father's hath he gotten all this glory.

1

2 And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before.

3 And the LORD said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee.

4 And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field unto his flock,

5 And said unto them, I see your father's countenance, that it is not toward me as before; but the God of my father hath been with me.

6 And ye know that with all my power I have served your father.

7 And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me.

8 If he said thus, The speckled shall be thy wages; then all the cattle bare speckled: and if he said thus, The ringstraked shall be thy hire; then bare all the cattle ringstraked.

9 Thus God hath taken away the cattle of your father, and given them to me.

10 And it came to pass at the time that the cattle conceived, that I lifted up mine eyes, and saw in a dream, and, behold, the 'rams which leaped upon the cattle were ringstraked, speckled, and grisled.

11 And the angel of God spake unto me in a dream, saying, Jacob: And I said, Here am I.

12 And he said, Lift up now thine eyes, and see, all the rams which leap upon the cattle are ringstraked, speckled, and grisled: for I have seen all that Laban doeth unto thee.

13 I am the God of Beth-el, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred.

14 And Rachel and Leah answered and said unto him, Is there yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father's house?

15 Are we not counted of him strangers? for he hath sold us, and hath quite devoured also our money.

16 For all the riches which God hath taken from our father, that is our's, and our children's now then, whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do.

« EdellinenJatka »