Read Genesis 29:1-35
Our focus now shifts to Jacob as he seeks a
wife among his father’s brethren.
What stands
out here is Jacob’s obedience to his father’s admonition to seek a wife from
the family lineage as opposed to following his brother, Esau’s footsteps who
married into the family of Ishmael.
Reminder:
A. Ishmael
always typifies an unbeliever in that he was the son of the Egyptian bondwoman,
Hagar, and as such was cut off from the Birthright even though he was the
firstborn. He signifies the flesh in that Abram and Sarai took it upon
themselves to attempt to fulfill God’s promise of a son.
B. Isaac,
though not the firstborn, inherited the Birthright because he was the son of
Promise.
C. Both
A and B are the basis of salvation. A. Though our flesh is the firstborn yet it cannot inherit the
kingdom of God…it must be born again John
3:1-21 (3). This is a heavenly principle that cannot be circumvented regardless
of influence, affluence, ethnicity, creed, or religion. The phrase see the kingdom of God is a direct
reference to the Birthright. B. The
kingdom of God is attained only by Birthright bestowed by the Father.
a) Jesus
had the Birthright bestowed upon himself by the Father at his baptism
Matt.3:16-17.
b) All
believers have the Birthright bestowed upon themselves when the Holy Spirit
baptizes them Acts 1:7-8; 2:1-4.
c) This
Birthright is also called adoption as
we are the sons of God through the spirit of adoption Rom.8:15, 23, 29;
9:24; Gal.4:5. It is become God’s method of procuring salvation for all through
the Birthright.
d) Even
the Jews must be born again of the Spirit John3:1-21 whereas Jesus taught
Nicodemus, a man of the Pharisees, when
he came to Jesus secretly and by night. Showing that even those of Abraham’s
lineage must be born again.
e) Intermarrying
into the family lineage does not constitute incest, in this case. Rather it
typifies being yoked together with a believer.
f) Both
A and B constitutes a predominant theme and principle in marriage and business
1Cor.7:1-40 [39…only in the
Lord.]; 2 Cor.6:14-18.
g) The
OT foreshadows the NT in many ways than just the analogies of the wilderness
Tabernacle.
h) Adoption:
the Greek word for adoption is huoithesia
which means “to place as a son”. Adoption is the act of leaving one’s
biological family and becoming a part of another having the family privileges
and responsibilities imparted unto you.
The Old Testament does not give legalities for adoption in the Jewish
Law and was not practiced by the Israelites. 1“In the ancient Near
East adoption was an important means of ensuring succession within families and
of providing for transmission of property”. 1 The Eerdmans Bible
Dictionary. As Christians we leave
our biological families (flesh) and are adopted into the family of God by faith
in Jesus Christ.
Back to Jacob
1-14
Jacob comes to the land of the East, to the well at Haran
and finds three flocks of sheep waiting to be watered by the shepherds who take
away the protective stone from the mouth of the well.
It
is here that Jacob introduces himself to the shepherds inquires, about Laban,
meets Rachel, and greets Laban, with whom he lives for a month. He is
graciously received by Laban who has two daughters, Leah, the eldest, and
Rachel whom he loves.
Polygamy and deceit
15-30 Jacob makes an
agreement with Laban to serve him seven years for Rachel’s hand in marriage. However
Laban is deceitful toward Jacob and gives him Leah to wife at the end of
Jacob’s seven years of service. The explanation Laban gives is that it is not
permitted to give the younger before the elder. Therefore he makes another pact
with Jacob to serve yet another seven years for Rachel’s hand. So Jacob, being
so much in love with Rachel serves another seven years for her. Laban also
gives handmaids to his daughters, Zilpah to Leah and Bilhah to Rachel, that
they might have help; later these servants bear sons to Jacob.
Note that God is silent on
this matter but His silence is not to be construed as endorsing or justifying
the actions. However, He sees the hatred of Jacob toward Leah and takes action
by causing Rachel to be barren. Also the term fulfill her week (27) is
generally accepted by scholars to mean seven years not seven days (in reference
to her monthly time of menstruation). So Jacob served Laban fourteen years for
his two daughters.
31-35 First
four sons of Jacob
Leah’s sons: Reuben, Simeon
Levi, Judah
Jacob’s demeanor
I find it interesting that
Jacob’s demeanor during this time was impeccable. Later, however, he
demonstrates cunning and perhaps deceit toward Laban remembering that his name
means supplanter [to take the place of
another, as through force or scheming]. What
do you think?
Faith
Building Practice and Review
1. Ordinarily
it is improper to compare children, however: what differences between Jacob and
Esau stand out?
2. Explain
the polygamy occurring in verses 15-30.
3. Why
did God allow it?
4. Many
religious organizations justify polygamy with this and other passages. Why is
it against the Word of God?
5. Because
of the practice of polygamy, Why do you think God did not dis-own Jacob’s
posterity and seek another?
6. Why
is the case of family intermarrying not considered
to be incest?
7. Explain
fulfill her week. What does it refer
to?
8. What
is the name of Jacob’s firstborn son?
9. Remember
his name for a later study.
Knowing
God
A brief [not complete, add
to the list] synopsis of the persona of God:
·
Love
·
Gracious
·
Merciful
·
Righteous
·
Longsuffering
·
Gentle
·
Faithful
·
Compassionate
·
Forgiving
·
Friend
The ultimate goal of Bible study is to
know God and not to merely memorize Bible trivia. As you study, identify the
attributes of God. For instance: make a note when you read of God extending His
forgiveness or compassion, and remember how He has done the same for you.
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