Then God said to Jacob,
"Get ready and move to Bethel and settle there.
Build an altar there to the God who appeared to you
when you fled from your brother, Esau."
Genesis 35:1
"Get ready and move to Bethel and settle there.
Build an altar there to the God who appeared to you
when you fled from your brother, Esau."
Genesis 35:1
I've heard it said that if you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there. Through my years of travel, I've come to learn that, even if you do know where you are going, it's a good thing to carry a map. Even if you have the luxury of a owning a GPS, wisdom says, "Take the map!"
As we continue on our journey through the Word, we quickly discover that carrying a map in our gear bag can be extremely helpful. You will find it to be very beneficial this week as we join Jacob in his journey home. You may want to mark his progress on the map we have provided you. These places are not only of importance in Jacob's lifetime, but will take on significance in the nation to come.
We learned last week that the first piece of property Jacob was given was at Bethel; the place God met him when he left his father's house. Remember when God told him, "The ground you are lying on belongs to you. I am giving it to you and your descendants." He goes on to tell Jacob that they would spread out in all directions, but the expansion would start from the place God had spoken to him.
Abraham's first possession of the land was a grave: Sarah's grave! And it was not given to him; he had to purchase it. Isaac finally settled in Hebron, but other than the property his father owned and the promise that his descendants would inherit the land as God had promised Abraham, Isaac really had no other claims on the land. We see this quite clearly in our reading this week.
So Jacob settled again in the land of Canaan, where his father had lived as a foreigner. (Genesis 37:1 NLT)
It says it this way in the NASB:
Now Jacob lived in the land where his father had sojourned, in the land of Canaan.
You may want to check out the words "settled" or "lived" and "sojourned." It is clear that Jacob's relationship with the land was different than his father's or his grandfather's. And speaking of that, this week we continue to accompany Jacob on his journey home. If we read through it quickly, we can miss the many questions and clues that are hidden along our way. So take out your trail map and lets follow it together. *
Last week we left Jacob at Mizpah in Gilead. I'm incorporating another trail map that shows the area this is located in since it isn't marked on the first map you received.
(You can click on this image and it will enlarge. Then you can print it or copy it for use in a document of your choosing.)
We begin our week with Jacob's encounter with the camp of angels that came to meet him. What a way for God to confirm that he was not alone. But there are times that no matter what God has said or done, situations we face can bring fear in our lives. Jacob is about to meet up with his past! Esau is on his way and Jacob is not sure what he will face. It's amazing how many different ways our past can catch up with us. If we are going to see the promises of God fulfilled, sooner or later we are going to have to face the things of the past that we have run from!
There are several phrases hidden in our journey this week regarding Jacob and Esau that are usually glossed over. I'd like to point them out, because I believe there is a powerful message cloaked in them. Here are a few questions that will be answered throughout the week?
1. Where did Esau meet Jacob?
2. Where had Esau come from?
3. Why did Esau move to this location and no longer live by Isaac?
4. Where did Jacob live when Esau moved from his father?
Once you've answered all of these questions, take time to meditate on what you've learned. Some would say there is a contradiction, but I guarantee you, there is not! There is a powerful word of encouragement for us in the way the Holy Spirit inspired its writing. Take your time thinking about it. Talk about it with a friend and share with us what you find!
Why did Jacob stay in Shechem? Why wasn't he in any hurry to get to his father? Obviously, by now his dad is REALLY up there in years. You would think he'd want to get there as quickly as possible. Hmmmmm. But Jacob stays there trouble comes along and God tells him to move to Bethel. Do you remember what Jacob said at Bethel when he was heading toward Haran? Let me refresh your memory.
*(If you didn't get an email with the attachment, I've included it at the end of this blog. If you are not on our email "Through The Bible" mailing list for 2009, please let us know that you want to be included. Send you request to CarpMin@aol.com)
As we continue on our journey through the Word, we quickly discover that carrying a map in our gear bag can be extremely helpful. You will find it to be very beneficial this week as we join Jacob in his journey home. You may want to mark his progress on the map we have provided you. These places are not only of importance in Jacob's lifetime, but will take on significance in the nation to come.
We learned last week that the first piece of property Jacob was given was at Bethel; the place God met him when he left his father's house. Remember when God told him, "The ground you are lying on belongs to you. I am giving it to you and your descendants." He goes on to tell Jacob that they would spread out in all directions, but the expansion would start from the place God had spoken to him.
Abraham's first possession of the land was a grave: Sarah's grave! And it was not given to him; he had to purchase it. Isaac finally settled in Hebron, but other than the property his father owned and the promise that his descendants would inherit the land as God had promised Abraham, Isaac really had no other claims on the land. We see this quite clearly in our reading this week.
So Jacob settled again in the land of Canaan, where his father had lived as a foreigner. (Genesis 37:1 NLT)
It says it this way in the NASB:
Now Jacob lived in the land where his father had sojourned, in the land of Canaan.
You may want to check out the words "settled" or "lived" and "sojourned." It is clear that Jacob's relationship with the land was different than his father's or his grandfather's. And speaking of that, this week we continue to accompany Jacob on his journey home. If we read through it quickly, we can miss the many questions and clues that are hidden along our way. So take out your trail map and lets follow it together. *
Last week we left Jacob at Mizpah in Gilead. I'm incorporating another trail map that shows the area this is located in since it isn't marked on the first map you received.
(You can click on this image and it will enlarge. Then you can print it or copy it for use in a document of your choosing.)There are several phrases hidden in our journey this week regarding Jacob and Esau that are usually glossed over. I'd like to point them out, because I believe there is a powerful message cloaked in them. Here are a few questions that will be answered throughout the week?
1. Where did Esau meet Jacob?
2. Where had Esau come from?
3. Why did Esau move to this location and no longer live by Isaac?
4. Where did Jacob live when Esau moved from his father?
Once you've answered all of these questions, take time to meditate on what you've learned. Some would say there is a contradiction, but I guarantee you, there is not! There is a powerful word of encouragement for us in the way the Holy Spirit inspired its writing. Take your time thinking about it. Talk about it with a friend and share with us what you find!
Why did Jacob stay in Shechem? Why wasn't he in any hurry to get to his father? Obviously, by now his dad is REALLY up there in years. You would think he'd want to get there as quickly as possible. Hmmmmm. But Jacob stays there trouble comes along and God tells him to move to Bethel. Do you remember what Jacob said at Bethel when he was heading toward Haran? Let me refresh your memory.
Then Jacob made a vow, saying,
“If God will be with me
and will keep me on this journey that I take,
and will give me food to eat and garments to wear,
and I return to my father’s house in safety,
then the LORD will be my God.
“If God will be with me
and will keep me on this journey that I take,
and will give me food to eat and garments to wear,
and I return to my father’s house in safety,
then the LORD will be my God.
Genesis 28:20-21
It seems pretty obvious why God told him to go to Bethel before continuing his journey home to Isaac. Certainly Jacob would know that God had been faithful to His part of the bargain. But once again, I believe there is a hidden message. This time, I don't think the revelation will come so easy as it did with our previous "riddle." And once again, let me give you some clues. Before Jacob left Shechem, he had heard from God. His instructions were very clear, "Move to Bethel!" But Jacob knew something had to change before they could start their journey, something had to be dealt with and buried! And it was not to be buried just anywhere; they were to buy them under the tree near Shechem. When they arrived in Bethel, Jacob builds an altar. This part of the journey comes to its conclusion with another burial. And once again, the burial takes place by a tree in the valley near Bethel. Two trees, two burials, two very different things being buried, one burial begins the journey, the other ends it. These events culminate with God appearing to Jacob once again while he is in Bethel and once again, Jacob sets up a monument, anointing a pillar that he sets up. Why are all these detils recorded? You can be sure there is a revelation of God and a message for our lives found in the facts of this vital story.
And what about that story of Judah and Tamar. Using our comparison tool, we see more clearly into the character of Judah and Tamar. Here's some examples:
Tamar wanted a son
Judah wanted sex
Tamar was keeping the law of the time
Judah was breaking it
Tamar knew her father-in-law's character and knew he would act unrighteously
Judah didn't know his daughter-in-law's character and continually made wrong assumptions
Tamar was willing to put her reputation on the line
Judah wasn't willing to put his reputation on the line
Tamar received proof of innocence from Judah's hand
Judah gave Tamar proof of his guilt from his hand
What a perfect illustration of how one story can have two different sides. If you sat and talked to Tamar, you would hear a totally different account than if you chatted with Judah.
And where does one even begin when it comes to the story of Joseph?!?!? Here is a gifted young man that has the favor of his father, but not his brothers. He was molded by the love of his father, the rejection of his brothers, the success of servanthood, the pain and shame of false accusation, the frustration of limited ministry, the humility that comes with being forgotten, and the power of success.
Joseph's ticket out of jail was found in the king's cupbearer who had been in prison with him. I've questioned this story for many years. I've often cried out when I was in those places of confinement that seemed to threatened the fulfillment of my dreams, "Oh God, please kill the baker and restore the cupbearer!" This prayer was usually followed by the statement, "God, I don't have the foggiest notion what that means, but I know there is a revelation in it somewhere!" I knew that someday the light would come on! Rather than me just telling you, let
me once again give you some guiding thoughts to help you see the light.
THE CUPBEARER'S DREAM
What was the cupbearer doing in the dream?
Where was the cup?
Was this unusual?
THE BAKER'S DREAM
What was the baker doing in the dream?
Where were the pastries for Pharaoh?
What was happening to them and why?
Well dear fellow travelers, I'm sure you have plenty to think about as you continue on this week. I pray that the Spirit of God will breathe on your meditations and that your trek is filled with new sights and sounds as God shows you new vistas in His Word.
And what about that story of Judah and Tamar. Using our comparison tool, we see more clearly into the character of Judah and Tamar. Here's some examples:
Tamar wanted a son
Judah wanted sex
Tamar was keeping the law of the time
Judah was breaking it
Tamar knew her father-in-law's character and knew he would act unrighteously
Judah didn't know his daughter-in-law's character and continually made wrong assumptions
Tamar was willing to put her reputation on the line
Judah wasn't willing to put his reputation on the line
Tamar received proof of innocence from Judah's hand
Judah gave Tamar proof of his guilt from his hand
What a perfect illustration of how one story can have two different sides. If you sat and talked to Tamar, you would hear a totally different account than if you chatted with Judah.
And where does one even begin when it comes to the story of Joseph?!?!? Here is a gifted young man that has the favor of his father, but not his brothers. He was molded by the love of his father, the rejection of his brothers, the success of servanthood, the pain and shame of false accusation, the frustration of limited ministry, the humility that comes with being forgotten, and the power of success.
Joseph's ticket out of jail was found in the king's cupbearer who had been in prison with him. I've questioned this story for many years. I've often cried out when I was in those places of confinement that seemed to threatened the fulfillment of my dreams, "Oh God, please kill the baker and restore the cupbearer!" This prayer was usually followed by the statement, "God, I don't have the foggiest notion what that means, but I know there is a revelation in it somewhere!" I knew that someday the light would come on! Rather than me just telling you, let
me once again give you some guiding thoughts to help you see the light.
THE CUPBEARER'S DREAM
What was the cupbearer doing in the dream?
Where was the cup?
Was this unusual?
THE BAKER'S DREAM
What was the baker doing in the dream?
Where were the pastries for Pharaoh?
What was happening to them and why?
Well dear fellow travelers, I'm sure you have plenty to think about as you continue on this week. I pray that the Spirit of God will breathe on your meditations and that your trek is filled with new sights and sounds as God shows you new vistas in His Word.
*******
*(If you didn't get an email with the attachment, I've included it at the end of this blog. If you are not on our email "Through The Bible" mailing list for 2009, please let us know that you want to be included. Send you request to CarpMin@aol.com)
6 comments:
I found the fact that Issac doesn't die until Jacbob has returned and Joseph is in Egypt. Issac thought he was going to die soon so he gives out the blessing.
Esau is going to kill Jacob after his father's death so Jacob flees to Haran.
I think I found the facts but missed the significance.
Jacob meets Esau across the Jabbok river opposite Peniel where he had wrestled with the angel.
Esau has arrived from Seir in the region of Edom. He moves from his father when the land can no longer support both him and Jacob. Jocob is in the land of his father at the time of this move.
Hi Shirley,
this is what I believe about the story with Jacob:
1. Where did Esau meet Jacob?
Esau met at the river of Jabbok, where Jacob also had the encounter with god.
2. Where had Esau come from?
He came from Seir, the land Edom in the south east of Canaan.
3. Why did Esau move to this location and no longer live by Isaac? I believe NOT just because they both became rich and multiply but also because Esau made a decision in his heart to forgive Jacob what he did to him. And he decided not to hold his anger agains Jacob any more but let him get the first born blessing wehich is the land of Canaan. He himself decided to recieve the blessing his father gave to him after he blessed Jacob. Which was a good blessing, too.
4. Where did Jacob live when Esau moved from his father?
Jacob still lived in Haran, when Esau moved. BUT I think that Esau, because of the contact through his Ismaelite wife, he knew a lot about Jacob and Laban and how God blessed Jacob with his wives and his flocks. There was a trade road from Egypt through Haran to Babel (I think) and Ismaelites were known as traders and they traveled with his caravans (you can see this in the story with Joseph). Esau had a lot of time to think about his life. After Isaac gave his blessing to Jacob, Issac was around 100 years old, and when Jacob came back, he was around 120 years. So, Esaus hidden plan to kill Jacob after his dad died, was not so easy. He could hold on his plan a become bitter OR forgive his brother and recieve the blessing god had for him, too. When Esau met Jacob he was friendly and had no bad attitude against Jacob any more. But Jacob was afraid of Esau and tried to please him (he also tried to please Laban and everybody else in his life).
What happened at the river? I believe that Jacob was wrestling with his fear of men, especially his fear Esau. He neeeded to recieve forgiveness by god and by Esau and he needed to get rid of his own guilt.
I´ve got a question: Why did Jacob tell Esau that he would follow him to Seir, but then made his trip to Sukkoth and then Shechem?
Why did Jacob stay in Shechem? Why wasn't he in any hurry to get to his father?
Another exciting question! I believe that Jacob needed to get rid of his guilt and also of false gods. Laban wasn´t the best model of a godly man, I think. His father should have done the trip to canaan in the former days, but he stayed in the middle and forgot his mission. So Jacob and his family were not serving the one god, yet! The promises which lived in his forfathers Abraham and Isaak did´nt live in him, yet. I believe he was quite comfortable with his family, his wealth and flocks. He was a smart man, dealt with Laban in a clever way, yes, and he knew, that god was with him. He believed in God, but his personal relationship to the only one God of Abraham and Isaak wasn´t as deep. There was more the fear of men than the fear of God in him and God needed to deal with him, what he did.
Im´not quite sure, but was it God´s plan to make peace with Hamor and Shechem, who violated Dina, Jacobs daugther? I don´t think so. I think they both handled extremly, he himself (trying to make peace and please everybody)and also his two sons (becoming aggressive and killing all men in Shechem).
At Shechem, when God told him to go to Bethel, Jacob needed to take responsability and make a clear decision. So he asked all family members to give the false gods to him in order to bury them under a tree. Jacob needed to get rid of his compromising life and his guilt towards his father ( the betrayals), and he did. So he was ready to go to Bethel, the place where he said to God that the LORD will be HIS God.
May be the death of Rahel, his favorite wife drew him closer to his God, too? I´m convinced that he was now willing to see his father and wanting to see him.
Bethel - the place where he renewed his covenant with god and where god purified him from his sin.
When looking at the dreams of the cupbearer and the baker. I see a picture of life and death.
Life- The grapes squeezed out as the shed blood of Jesus which gives life to all those who accept him.
Death- I see the bread as our flesh that without a covering (Jesus) can be snatched away and
destined to everlasting death. I am sure there are many ways to look at these dreams but this is mine.
You guys have been busy on this blog and I didn't even know it! I almost missed a great blessings!!!!!! Each of you have posted some great thoughts. Luise, your insight has been wonderful! I'd like to add just a couple of other thoughts to the things that have been said.
Questions #3 WHY DID ESAU MOVE TO SEIR?
The clue to this is found in the statement, "Esau took his wives, his children, and his entire household, along with his livestock and cattle – all the wealth he had acquired in the land of Canaan – and moved away from his borhter, Jacob. ….So Esau (also known as Edom) settled in the hill country of Seir.
Obviously, Esau had moved to Seir while Jacob was living in Haran. And yet it says that he moved away from HIS BROTHER. Even though Jacob was not living near his father Isaac at the time, Esau knew that all Isaac had belonged to Jacob. He was legal heir to the birthright and the blessings of his father! And so while Jacob is slaving away in Haran, God was blessing his flock and herds in Beersheba that belonged to Isaac, but was Jacob’s inheritance.
I believe that as God prospered Esau and he became wealthy in his own right, he was able to forgive his brother. He no longer needed his father’s wealth and it no longer mattered that his father’s wealth belonged to his brother.
Luise, from your remarks, I believe you saw this also. Great job!!!!
Question #4 WHY DID JACOB TELL ESAU HE WOULD FOLLOW HIM TO SEIR AND THEN NOT GO AND WHAT TOOK HIM SO LONG TO GET BACK TO HIS FATHER?
There is actually two parts to this answer. Luise, I believe you hit on one part of it – Jacob needed to deal with some things in himself and his family before he could meet his father face to face.
But why did Jacob tell Esau that he would come to Seir and then go the other way? Because the initial part of the meeting is tender and friendly enough, but the end of it shows us that there was a coolness between them. I am sure Esau wasn’t expecting Jacob to show up at his door! Esau tries to extend his brother aid by offering to leave some of his men to aid them on their journey. In spite of Jacob’s wealth, Esau sees himself as greater and that Jacob needed his help. Jacob answers with the question, “For what purpose would you do that? I’ve got all that I need.” Esau’s actions suggested that he saw himself as greater. Jacob’s response let him know that he did not and that all he needed was his friendship. “It is enough that you received me warmly, my lord!” As congenial as this conversation may sound, there is much more that is not being said.
This episode ends with Esau turning around and heading back to Seir THAT SAME DAY! That phrase says it all!!! THAT SAME DAY!!!!! If you know anything about ancient customs regarding hospitality, you quickly see that there was coolness between Jacob and Esau when they parted. Esau would have been prepared with enough provisions to spend the night with his brother, and yet he immediately turned around to go back to Seir. They would have had to spend the night somewhere on their return journey back, but it wasn’t going to be in Jacob’s presence.
This helps us understand why Jacob was in no hurry to get back to his father. Perhaps the temperature was no warmer there! After all, his father’s favorite son had moved away from him, and all because his father’s wealth legally belonged to him. Maybe his father was not too pleased with all that had transpired. It’s interesting that the Bible never tells us about Isaac and Jacob’s meeting. Perhaps it was cool as well. Who knows?!?
Thankyou Shirley,
this is very interesting!
Luise
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