One Year Bible Readings and Commentary for Saturday, January 15th Laban Pursues Jacob, Jacob Prepares to Meet Esau, Jesus Tells Disciples They Will Be Persecuted
Rachel and Jacob continue to use trickery with Laban. God had made it known to Jacob that he would protect him, but Jacob still left Laban's household hurriedly without Labana's knowledge. There were many reasons Rachel might have taken the "household gods". Perhaps, they were pagan idols used for divination, so she thought it might keep Laban from following them. Perhaps, she was angry at him for the way he treated she and Jacob. Perhaps, she was trying to get him to turn from idolatry. Though Jacob was ready to leave Laban, unfortunately he now was going back into the territory of his veangeful brother, Esau.
Laban Pursues Jacob
Three days later, after Laban had found out about Jacob and Rachel leaving, he went out to track them down. We know he must have gone quickly, because he made up 3 days in 7 days. When Laban confronted Jacob, he told him how upset he was with them. He could have at least given him a chance to say goodbye or kiss his daughters and grandchildren. On the surface it seem like a reasonable request. Laban shows obedience to God who appeared to him in a dream and told him not to harm Jacob.
Jacob does not know that Rachel stole Laban's household idols, so he denies having taken them. Laban did not believe him and made a thorough search of their tents. Though Rachel had the idols in her tent, she makes the excuse she is having her monthly period, so that Laban could not look for and find them. Meanwhile Jacob finally unleashes his frustration to his father in law. This had probably been pent up for the 14 years he had to work for Laban to earn the right to have his daughter in marriage.
Though Laban was losing his daughters and grandchildren, he graciously agrees to make a covenant with Abraham. They set up an altar with a heap of stones to mark the spot where they would separate going foward. They both agree not to pass this boundary in the future. Laban bids them farewell with kisses for his daughters and grandchildren. Though Laban was not the model of virtue, you have to feel for him a little bit saying goodbye to his daughters and grandchildren knowing he would probably never see them again. And this is indeed the last we hear of Laban in the bible.
Jacob Prepares to Meet Esau
Having left Laban, now Jacob must prepare to meet his estranged brother, Esau. As he made the journey, the angels met him, which I am sure was a huge comfort to him. Though we are not are what this meeting was all about Charles Spurgeon offers this reflection,
"Our Mahanaims occur at much the same time as that in which Jacob beheld this great sight. Jacob was entering upon a more separated life. He was leaving Laban and the school of all those tricks of bargaining and bartering which belong to the ungodly world.” (Spurgeon)
As Jacob prepared to meet Esau, he sent out a group of people with all the symbols of Jacob's prosperous time in Haran. Ie. Donkeys, oxen, flocks and servants, both men and women. He also told them to say to him when they met Esau, "Your servant Jacob", which also showed humility.
When they came back, the only news they had to share with Jacob was that Esau was coming with 400 men. Given how they left each other, Jacob was not hopeful. After all, the last time he had seen Esau, he had told him he was going to kill him. In fact, the text says he was, "greatly afraid and distressed". In his fear he divides into two camps, so that if one was attacked, the other might survive.
As Jacob prepares for this reunion, he prays to God. He goes back to the covenant God had made with his father Issac, and his grandfather, Abraham. He had been obedient to God to go back to Haran and find his wife Rachel. He had been faithful to serve his father in law Laban for 14 years. Now he calls on God to remember the covenant he had made which was to make his descendants as numerous as the sand on the seashore.
"After first reacting in fear and unbelief, Jacob did the right thing. He went to the LORD and prayed a good prayer, humble, full of faith, full of thanksgiving and God’s Word.
· Jacob’s fear was good, because it led him to prayer.
· Jacob’s fear was good, because it led him to take a review of his life.
· Jacob’s fear was good, because it led him to seek out a suitable promise from God." (Guzik)
Simply put this passage tells us that the disciples could not expect to be treated much better than Jesus was. Our simple (yet hard) goal is to become like our teacher and master, Jesus.
"For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren." Romans 8:29
We call this in the church growing to "Christ-like" maturity. See Colossians 1:28
When the disciples were persecuted, they were to be bold. Jesus promised them that what they had done for the Lord would never be forgotten.
"The judgment of eternity gives us great confidence in God’s ultimate justice. Those who seem to cheat justice on earth will never cheat it in eternity." (Guzik)
Jesus says "fear not' three times. He knew they would be fearful, and yet he wanted them to know how much he cared for them.
"God knows us better than our friends know us; better than our husband or wife knows us; He knows us better than we know ourselves. We don’t know how many hairs are numbered on our head. The God who knows us so well will take care of us." (Guzik)
Jesus doesn't mince words in the next section. They are some of the most challenging words we will hear Jesus say to his disciples. Though he comforts them in the preceding verses, he challenges them in these latter verses.
One thing he specfically points out to them, and by application us, is not be afraid to publicly identify with him.
Guzik gives us these challenging words,
'Everyone Jesus called He called publicly. There is really no such thing as a “secret” Christian, at least not in a permanent sense. This is a contradiction in terms – an oxymoron.
Each individual Christian life should supply enough evidence – evidence that can be seen by the world – that they are indeed Christians. It is to be feared that many modern Christians, if arrested for the crime of following Jesus and tried in a court, would have the charges dismissed for a lack of evidence.'
This is beginning to be a familiar refrain for David as he writes most of these psalms. He pleads for God's help, as his enemies surround him and try to destroy him. He calls on God to turn to him an answer him. I love this line, "Restore the sparkle to my eyes or I will die."
But as usual, David closes with his trust in God with these words, which are also familiar,
'But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me I will sing to the Lore because he is good to me." vv. 5-6
As we see the many benefits of obtaining wisdom, one wonders why anyone would not want to heed it.
"Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed."
"What Now" Study Questions from OneYearBible Online
Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven. ~ Matthew 10:32-33 (NIV)
No matter what man's opinion of us is, we are valuable in the sight of God, who can silence all fears | Source: Fearful to Fearless.
We are now more than two weeks into our read through the Bible, did you know that there are people from more than 200 countries around the world reading through with you using http://oneyearbibleonline.com? Know that you are not alone on this journey. Let 1 John 1:3-4 (NLT) be an encouragement: We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy...
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