Study From the Book of Genesis,31

Study From the Book of Genesis,31

Today is the Resurection Sunday or Easter in the Eastern Church, where we memorise the resurrection of our Saviour Jesus Christ from the death. As I studied chapter 31 of the Book of Genesis, I chose two biblical principles and their lessons which are useful in Biblical Counselling.

Laban acquired sons after Jacob had arrived in Haran. Concerned about their wealth, they accused Jacob of being a thief. However, God repeated what He promised Jacob to be with him as he returned to his homeland. Apparently, Laban kept switching the deal as he watched the births of a variety of coloured animals. But with every new deal, God always in- creased Jacob’s herd.

The Angel of God may be translated “The Angel of Genuine Deity” revealed in Jacob’s dream. Here God used the positive meaning of the name Jacob as Jacob achieved great wealth because of God’s blessings. The name Jacob (even the name was changed later to Israel) continued to be a term indicating God’s work in his life.

Rachel and Leah agreed that it was proper to leave their father’s home, despite the cultural ties that ordinary would have kept them there. The births of sons to their father may have displaced their inheritance. Both daughters resented the way their father had sold them. Furthermore, they argued that whatever God had taken from their father belonged to them anyway.

Laban’s family was either polytheistic-believing in many gods-or henotheistic- believing in Yahweh as one God above all other gods (the latter belong to Satan). In this culture, possession of house-hold idols was the right of the principal heir. Rachel properly did not steal the idols in order to worship them, but to retain the rights of the principal heir for Jacob. Ultimately, the Lord’s blessing on Jacob was more importance for him than any rights derived from being Laban’s principal heir.

From time to time, God warned others not to harm His people. Only God’s warning in v.24 stilled Laban’s rage. Jacob explained that he left in secret because of a genuine fear that he would not be permitted to leave with his family. Jacob declared his household innocent of the alleged theft and cursed the thief of the idols with death. However, Laban was rather certain that Jacob had stolen the idols as he began his search in Jacob’s tent. Last he entered Rachel’s tent. Rachel hid the idols in her saddlebags and sat on them while she made her excuses. Laban did not ask Rachel to move because of a male taboo respecting a woman who is experiencing her monthly period.

Jacob had served 14 years for his wives. After that, he worked six years for his flocks. Jacob affirmed his superior skills in managing the herds with God’s blessings. Jacob never charged Laban for any loss so that he could never charge Jacob for mismanagement. Furthermore, Jacob described the seasonal extreme that he suffered. Perhaps Jacob knew that God had appeared to Laban to prevent Laban from harming him. Laban considered Jacob’s children part of his extended family because he had adopted Jacob as a son and principal heir.

Jacob for the second time, set up a stone as a memorial of the convenient between him and Laban. On the way to Haran, he had already set up a pillar to mark the place where God spoke to him. Later he would erect another pillar at Bethel. In addition to stone pillar, they also made a ceremonial meal memorializing the agreement between them. At this meal, Jacob and Laban ate some of the animals that had been sacrificed while making the covenant.   God above had His eyes on both men to make them keep their covenant. Possibly, the family believed in the Lord as the One God above many other gods-henotheism. Jacob offered a sacrifice; it is the only time Genesis records Jacob engaging in sacrificial worship and that was eaten with bread. The act of eating together further solemnized the agreement.

Structure

Verses: 1-21: Jacob flees from Laban.

Verses 22-42: Laban pursues Jacob.

Verses 43-55: Laban covenant with Jacob.

Principle 53: verse 31:29:  ---“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’.”

Lesson 53: Laban knew the Lord-he knew Him as the God of Isaac’s father Abraham- and the Lord protected Jacob from the harm Laban wanted to do with him. We serve a sovereign God!

Principle 54: 31-42: ----” 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 labour of my hands, and rebuked you (Laban) last night.”

Lesson 54: Jacob finally beginning to understand that scheming for blessings cannot compete with God-given blessings.(12/04/2026).