Our Lord Jesus Christ is Worthy of Glory, Honor and Praise – Genesis 31-32

“Now, Jacob heard the words of Laban’s sons, saying, ‘Jacob has taken away all that was our 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.’” Genesis 31:1-3

There’s a Chinese Proverb that says, “When the winds of change blow, some people build walls, while others build windmills.” Jacob overheard his brothers-in-law expressing words of anger and jealousy about him. His father-in-law’s facial expressions were disapproving of him. The neighborhood in which his family lived had changed and they too had changed. Should he build a wall or a windmill? Defend himself or use opposition for his advantage? Neither! The Lord turned Jacob’s dilemma into a call to return to his homeland.

Now that Jacob had a mandate from God to return to his homeland, he needed to trust God for all that would be required to make the move, including getting his wives onboard with the new direction...

“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 10 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.’” Genesis 31:4-13

He called Rachel and Leah to meet with him among the sheep. What was this meeting about? Jacob stated the facts to them. I summarize them here: A – Your father is no longer for me as before. B – You know I did my best for him. C – Your father is untrustworthy. D – God has been the difference maker for us... every time your father cheated me God came through for me. E – The Angel of God (likely the preincarnate Christ) spoke to me and said to leave this land and return to my homeland.

Will they agree with him or contradict him? He needed their support.

“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’.” Genesis 31:14-16

Laban had alienated his daughters by treating them like merchandise to be traded for services. He robbed not blessed them. He defrauded them. God blessed them. They glorified God for defending and helping them to overthrow their father’s attempts to exploit them. They fully supported their husband to do what God had called him to do.

“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, his acquired livestock 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 31:17-21

Sadly, after serving and helping his father-in-law to prosper for 20 years, Jacob needed to flee from him like a thief.

Are you in an abusive situation? Are you afraid to leave it? Do you feel like a bird in a cage? There for someone else’s amusement but wanting to be free to fly? Emotional attachments are hard to break. Then, there’s the challenge of having to exchange what is known to you for what is unknown. The best thing to do is to ask God for directions. I have said to God before, “People place signs along the roadsides to help us find our way, please give me a word or sign so that I will know I am going in the right direction.” Jesus has helped me with all my transitions. He kept His promise: “I will be with you always.”

“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.” Genesis 31:22-24

Our enemy the devil is not happy when people escape from abuse. Yes, he tries to recover escapees. However, here’s a word from 2 Kings 6:16: “’Don’t be afraid,’ the prophet answered. ‘Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’” God’s angels are more in number and greater than those who were cast out of heaven by them. I like to say, “God plus one is a majority.” Psalm 2 speaks of God sitting in heaven and laughing at the schemes of earthly kings to overthrow His rule.

God warned Laban against using abusive speech with Jacob.

“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 to Jacob 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?’” Genesis 31:25-30

Laban was deceived. He had false impressions of Jacob and of himself. He saw Jacob as a thief and himself as a doting father. When did he ever make joyous songs with musical instruments for his children? When did he ever show them affection? No, Jacob did not act foolishly. He acted wisely. Laban boasted that he could have harmed Jacob but chose not to because God told him not to do so. The truth is God would have harmed Laban if he laid a hand on Jacob.

“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 him 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.” Genesis 31:31-35

Jacob told the truth. Laban treated Jacob, his wife and children as though they were his personal property. He did not respect them as people that belonged to themselves and to God. As to Laban’s accusation that Jacob stole from him, Jacob invited him to search through his belongings. Jacob did not treat any of Laban’s possessions as though they belonged to him.

Unbeknownst to Jacob, Rachel had stolen Laban’s household idols and hid them. Why would she do such a thing? What was in her heart? Laban did not find his 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 so 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 20 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 beasts 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 20 years; I served you 14 years for your two daughters, and six years for your flock, and you have changed my wages 10 times. Unless the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely now 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 31:36-42

Jacob gave glory to God for making him who he was. God preserved him and his family. Jacob maintained a godly witness amidst Laban’s conniving and cheating ways. God blessed him despite Laban’s plans to plunder his earnings.

“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 these 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 Sahadutha, 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 one from 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!’” Genesis 31:43-50

Laban’s response confirmed to Jacob that he made the right decision. His father-in-law had no sense of boundaries. In his mind, the world and everybody in it should revolve around him. Only God was restraining him and compelling him to make a covenant with Jacob. The premise of Laban’s covenant was wrong. He made Jacob out to be the one who needed to be restrained from hurting his daughters. Laban was the one whom God restrained.

“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 31:51-55

Despite this very undesirable situation, the covenant was made. A pillar was set up to mark the location where the agreement was made. A statement of faith was read. Jacob made a sacrifice. They broke bread together. Laban left the next morning after bidding them goodbye.

“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.” Genesis 32:1-2

Thankfully, God sent angels to meet Jacob after this incident. Mahanaim means two camps. God’s camp met Jacob’s camp. They were with him all along. God opens his eyes to see them.

“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 400 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.’” Genesis 32:3-8

As one challenge to Jacob ended, another challenge began. His brother, who previously wanted to kill him, was approaching his camp with 400 men. Jacob’s natural response was to be afraid. He prepared for attack, but then, stopped to pray.

“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 32:9-12

Jacob’s response to the thought of losing everything meaningful to him contrasted with Laban’s response. Laban was ready to inflict pain on those who hurt him. Jacob turned to God in humility. He confessed to God, “I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant.” He knew that he didn’t deserve the wonderful wives and children that God entrusted into his care. He did not hold up his own righteous deeds to God as a foundation for God’s intervention. He held up God’s promises to his grandfather, to his father and to himself. God promised to them descendants as the sand of the sea. This prophecy will be fulfilled in Messiah. His family line must survive. They have a role in Messiah’s story.

Are you and your descendants in Messiah’s story? Jesus said in Matthew 10:31-33, “Do not fear therefore, you are of more value than many sparrows. ‘Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.’” The Messiah is willing to include us in His family line because we are precious to Him. What about us? Do we include Jesus Christ in our conversations with others?

“So, he lodged there that same night and took what came to his hand as a present for Esau his brother: 200 female goats and 20 male goats, 200 ewes and 20 rams, 30 milk camels with their colts, 40 cows and 10 bulls, 20 female donkeys and 10 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

Jacob really poured out a blessing for his brother... 550 animals of great worth! Rather than prepare for war, he prepared for reconciliation and forgiveness.

“And he arose that night and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his 11 sons, and crossed over the ford of Jabbok. He took them, sent them over the brook, and sent over what he had. Then, Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. Now, when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob’s hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. And He said, ‘Let Me go, for the day breaks.’ But he said, ‘I will not let You go unless You bless me!’ So, He said to him, ‘What is your name?’ He said, ‘Jacob.’ And He said, ‘Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed.’ Then Jacob asked, saying, ‘Tell me Your name, I pray.’ And He said, ‘Why is it that you ask about My name?’ And He blessed him there.” Genesis 32:21-29

Jacob did not face the new challenge alone. God was pleased with Jacob. He sent to Jacob a wrestler to make a point to him. He knew what Jacob would do. Even though the Man injured Jacob’s hip, he would not let go of him. He told the Man, “I will not let You go unless You bless me.” The man in a similar fashion to God with his grandfather Abram, and in a similar fashion with Jesus with His disciple Simon, gave Jacob a new name. He told Jacob that he had prevailed with God, and instead of Jacob (supplanter), his name was now, Israel (prevails with God).

“So, Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: ‘For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.’ Just as he crossed over Penuel the sun rose on him, and he limped on his hip. Therefore, to this day the children of Israel do not eat the muscle that shrank, which is on the hip socket, because He touched the socket of Jacob’s hip in the muscle that shrank.” Genesis 32:30-32

Jewish tradition prohibits eating the hip meat of an animal due to the Biblical account of Jacob wrestling an angel. The hindquarters also contain specific fats that are Biblically forbidden. This means popular cuts like filet mignon, sirloin, and T-bone steak, which come from the rear, are generally not available as kosher meat. They practice self-denial in this regard to remember the God who blessed their forefather and empowered his family line to survive and prevail despite numerous attempts to eliminate them.

In what ways are we remembering and celebrating what God has done to help us and our loved ones to survive in this world? Do we tithe? Do we read the Bible? Do we pray to Him? Do we worship Him? Do we profess our faith in Jesus Christ when the opportunity arises for us to do so. Have we made any sacrifices for the sake of honoring Him who loved us and washed us from our sins with His blood? He is worthy! Our Lord Jesus Christ is worthy of glory, honor and praise.