The Crow's Nest

Sunday, July 9, 2023

“The Young Guns of Israel” The Story of Jacob Part VII

“And Dinah the daughter of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land.” (Genesis 34:1)

Imagine that you are at the top of a very steep hill on your bike. You are with your friends and they are all trying to decide the best way to ride down the hill.

You have started down the hill, using your brakes to slow the descent. About a quarter of the way down your brakes no longer slow you. You look behind you and see most of your friends are following you.

Some of them start to pedal their bikes to go faster down the hill. You do the same. It is now a race to the bottom of the hill. You are not afraid, this is fun. Because everyone with you is smiling and having a good time.

You can now see the bottom of the hill. What once appeared to be a solid road is actually a bridge that has been removed. Some of your friends crash their bikes into the soft grass on either side of the road. Some of your friends pedal faster thinking they can jump the bridge.

This is what Dinah had become involved with. She was enjoying the life of the Canaanite women. Dressing, wearing makeup, fixing her hair, and dancing like the Canaanites. She was not with these women to see them, she wanted to be seen. And Dinah was seen.

“And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her, and lay with her, and defiled her.

And his soul clave unto Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the damsel, and spake kindly unto the damsel.

And Shechem spake unto his father Hamor, saying, Get me this damsel to wife.” (Gen 34:2-4)

Poor Dinah. Just like a modern boy or girl at a concert or club; Dinah has a road with a broken bridge in front of her.

Hamor, Shechem’s father went out to make a deal with Jacob and Jacob’s sons. The deal is, Hamor will share his daughters with Jacob, and in-turn Jacob will share his daughters. It is a, you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours type of thing.

Jacob knew full well that this was not a possibility. God had commanded Jacob to not marry Canaanites. Jacob’s sons, Simeon and Levi had another plan.

Simeon and Levi told Hamor that they could not let their sister marry an uncircumcised man. Hamor agrees to have all the men be circumcised.

“And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brethren, took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males.” (Gen 32:25)

Those of us circumcised at birth have no memory of this, but now imagine you are a full grown adult circumcised in the ancient way. Simeon and Levi brought their swords down and killed every man. They took all of their goods, livestock, women, and children; then trashed the places they lived. Hamor and Shechem were also killed.

Jacob was angry with Simeon and Levi. They should have let God work this out.

“And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.” (Gen 32:30)

Falling into sin is like riding a bike down a steep hill. At first it is all pleasure and fun. Hamor’s family died in the ravine at the bottom of the hill. Jacob’s family gets a safety net from God. Stay tuned to find out what God did.

“Wrestling With An Angel.” The Story of Jacob Part VI

“And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.”(Gen 32:24)

Jacob had sent his wives, sons and all of his belongings to the other side of a brook. Jacob stayed behind and sat alone. He wasn’t sleeping, or having a dream. He was obviously praying about the fear he had.

Prayer is not confined to asking God for something, or praising God for something. We can speak to God as in a conversation. God had already told Jacob that he would be protected but, just as someone saying they will give you something, we always want more detail. Jacob would have been in the same prayer. He had faith that he would be protected but, what about his family? What about his livestock? What exactly would Esau do to him? And this is where the mysterious man appears to Jacob.

Jacob wrestles with the man all night long. Wrestling is a tough fight. They grappled to achieve dominance over each other. Jacob discovered that this man had put Jacobs hip out of joint. A painful way to win. As day break was near the man asked Jacob to let him go. Jacob refused to let the man go unless he gave Jacob a blessing.

“And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.” (Gen 32:28)

Had Jacob just beaten an Angel? No, Jacob had prevailed over fear and doubt. He was faithful that God would provide him the power to prevail over men with the power of God.

Jacob wanted to know the man’s name and the man refused to give it. Jacob didn’t need his name. Jacob already knew that this was God in the flesh. Jacob had met God face to face.

Jacob and Esau Meet. The Story of Jacob Part V

“And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.” (Gen 32:1)

The story of Jacob, as with many stories in the Bible, uses terms that can confuse people. When Genesis 32:1 says “…the angels of God met him.” it is not just an accidental meeting, or Jacob said “Hi guys”. It is more like the angels joined with Jacob to protect and prepare a way for him. Jacob is being used by God to prepare away for the future messiah. And that brings us to the meeting of Jacob with Esau his brother.

Jacob knew that Esau was angry with him and in Jacob’s mind Esau would probably kill him. Jacob, under God’s guidance came up with a two pronged defense.

Firstly, he sent out messengers to to tell Esau that Jacob had been living and working with Laban and now he had oxen, asses, livestock men servants, and women servants. And Jacob wishes to find grace with you.

This message has two meanings. The first was Jacob’s worth, in terms of goods. The second is that Jacob wishes a friendly meeting and he will provide gifts to placate Esau.

The second part of Jacob’s plan is to divide his people into two groups. If either group meets Esau, then the other group can escape. In many military operations dividing your forces often meets with disaster. However, there are times when leaving a force behind buys enough time to live another day.

God gave Jacob a plan. But God’s plan is not for Jacob to win a delaying battle with Esau, but to see the power of God’s will and protection. Jacob will meet a much more difficult battle.

Friday, July 7, 2023

The Chase. The Story of Jacob Part IV

“And he heard the words of Laban’s sons, 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.” (Gen 31:1)

Jacob knew that Laban didn’t want Jacob to go anywhere. No matter what Jacob did Laban would work to keep him. It has been 20 years that Jacob has worked for Laban. Now it is time to go.

“And the LORD said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee.” (Gen 31:3)

Jacob explained the problem to Rachel and Leah. God had protected Jacob from the deception of Laban and now they had a path to return to Isaac in Canaan.

“Then Jacob rose up, and set his sons and his wives upon camels;” (Gen 31:17)

As is expected Jacob has every right to take his wages. They were promised to him by Laban. Laban didn’t see it that way. To Laban, just packing up and leaving is not your right.

To make things worse Rachel had stolen Laban’s “images”. These “images” are idols to other gods. There is an inequity in Rachel’s behavior. The images were not hers and she had no right to take them. She didn’t bother to tell Jacob of what she had done.

The original distance between Jacob and Laban was three days to travel. We do know that Jacob brought his wives, children, livestock, and goods. They were not racing, as much as crawling across the plain toward Canaan.

It took three days for Laban to find out Jacob had left. Laban didn’t take his entire household to chase Jacob. He only took the number of men to recapture Jacob and force him to return. God had another plan.

After seven days of chasing Laban catches up to Jacob. However, the night before he catches Jacob, God warns Laban.

“And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.” (Gen 31:24)

Laban starts to cry about how Jacob had left without saying goodbye. Both Laban and Jacob knew that if Laban knew they were going Laban would have used force to keep them. Laban had no love for the God of Abraham, our God. But to deceive he will say that he does while worshiping idols.

Laban accuses Jacob of stealing his idols. Jacob was unaware that the idols had been taken. He invites Laban to search the tents for his stolen idols. Laban doesn’t find them, because Rachel was sitting on them. Literally.

Laban could find no fault with Jacob, so they made a pact of friendship. And Laban departed back to his country.

It is the great problem of the world, even in ancient times. People will tell you they love and respect you, while working behind your back to destroy you. God protected Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God will protect you.

Haran. The Story of Jacob Part III.

“And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence be ye? And they said, Of Haran are we.” (Genesis 29:4)

Isaac had told Jacob to travel to the house of Laban. This is where he would find his wife. Along the trip Jacob slept under the stars with a rock for his pillow. It was in the middle of a desolate plain Jacob had a dream.

In his dream there was a ladder that ascended from Earth into Heaven. On the ladder he could see Angels climbing up and down the ladder. At the top of the ladder was God.

God said, “…I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;” (Gen 28:13)

This was the same covenant God had with Abraham and Isaac. God will protect you and make you strong.

Haran is a desolate place, located in southern Turkey along the Syrian border. There is a modern city of Haran and just east of the city is the plain of Haran. There were no beautiful gardens, fruit trees, or rivers. There was a well and grasses, think of it as the Great Plains of Kansas. It was not all you wanted, but all you would need.

Jacob had lived in Haran for 14 years working for his Uncle/Father-in-Law Laban. When Jacob arrived Laban had very little. That all changed when Jacob had grown into a multitude of people, crops, and livestock.

Jacob’s family has grown and it is time for him to go his own way. “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.” (Gen 30:26)

Laban was not willing to let Jacob’s family leave. A negotiation begins. Laban is willing to give Jacob a better wage, but he wants Jacob to tell him what the wage will be.

Jacob is not dumb. He knows Laban will attempt to keep him as labor to increase Laban’s treasure.

Jacob said, “Thou knowest how I have served thee, and how thy cattle was with me.

For it was little which thou hadst before I came, and it is now increased unto a multitude; and the LORD hath blessed thee since my coming: and now when shall I provide for mine own house also?” (Gen 30:29-30)

In short, Jacob said that God had multiplied me and by doing so, increased your wealth.

Laban had a short attention span. He asked Jacob directly, “What shall I give thee?” (Gen 30:31)

Jacob’s response is directly from God, “Thou shalt not give me anything. if thou wilt do this thing for me, I will again feed and keep thy flock:

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.

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.” (Gen 30:31-33)

Jacob will only take the cattle, sheep, and goats that are not the best looking. Appearances can be deceiving. A speckled cow does not produce speckled milk. Jacob picked the cattle’s appearance as a way to determine which ones are his and which ones are Laban’s.

Laban agreed and moved himself 3 days away from Jacob.

Jacob separated the livestock based on their appearance. Not just in terms of outward appearance, but in terms of strength. The feeble were given to Laban’s flock.

Jacob’s livestock, servants, and family increased exceedingly according to God’s promise.

The Wives. The Story of Jacob Part II

“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.” (Gen 30:1)

A tale of envy and jealousy. Of course, you can go back to Cain and Able, but the wives of Jacob create a picture of greed, envy, and jealousy.

It begins with Jacob at the well of Haran. Jacob met Rachel, the daughter of Laban Jacob’s uncle. It was love at first sight for Jacob. Jacob agrees to work 7 years for Laban to marry Rachel. Time flies by for Jacob and the time comes to wed Rachel.

Laban deceived Jacob on his wedding night (see part I). Instead of marrying Rachel, he married Leah. Jacob agrees to work another 7 years for Laban so he may marry Rachel.

God watched and saw how hated Leah was. So, God gave Jacob his first son, born to Leah. Reuben, which means “See a Son”. Leah believed that now my husband will love me.

Leah gives birth to three more sons. Levi, which means “joined”, Leah believed that now Jacob and Leah would be joined in flesh and spirit. Leah’s fourth son is called Judah, which means “praise”. Leah said I will now Praise God. Leah bears four children, while Rachel remains barren.

There was no express command from, God that a man could not marry more than one wife. Lesson’s from God are much more powerful.

Rachel wanted a child. Either from Jacob to her, or from Jacob by Rachel’s handmaid. Rachel’s handmaid bore two son’s to Jacob, and Rachel proclaimed, “And Rachel said, With great wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed…”(Gen 30:8)

It is obvious that there is a cat-fight based on greed and jealousy. As is the way of the world. A love triangle exists when two people fight each other over the love of another. Jacob is caught between his love for Rachel, and his responsibility to Leah. Rachel uses children that are not hers as a weapon against Leah. Even at this point it is complicated. It gets worse.

Leah considered herself barren and following Rachel’s lead she gave her own handmaid to conceive for her. The handmaid provided Jacob two more son’s. Consequently, Jacob has four wives to deal with.

Reuben, Leah’s first son was working in the wheat harvest and found mandrakes. Mandrakes were extremely important in ancient times, it is a plant. Mandrake is used as topical ointments. Reuben gave his mandrakes to his mother Leah.

Rachel badly wanted some of the mandrakes, she offered the services of Jacob to Leah in exchange for the mandrakes. Rachel was willing to exchange the love of her husband for some mandrake. Leah willingly accepted. Leah has three more son’s, for a total of six son’s.

Look at how wickedly they competed with each other. Leah and Rachel fought each other to the point of bringing their handmaidens into the fight. All for control of Jacob’s heart. Yet God continued to bless Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and through Judah by Joshua the seed of Jesus continues.