"These things are written for our admonition." We draw from this narrative a lesson of great consolation. We see a divine hand at work amidst the crimes and follies of men, bending their crooked arts to the accomplishment of holy purposes. God will make all things, good and evil, work together to promote his glory and perform his will. These are blessed conclusions, satisfying and refreshing the mind when wickedness seems to prevail on the earth. After these things had taken place, how did Esau regard his brother? "And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob." GEN. 27:41. JACOB'S FLIGHT AND DREAM. Lo, Jacob, from his brother flying, No slumbering camel near him lies; In fervid haste to do God's will, "And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the Lord is in this place, and I knew it not. "And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven. “And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had used for his pillow, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it." GEN. 28:16-18. The oil Jacob had probably taken with him, as an article of food to be used on his jour ney. Reposing sweetly at heaven's gate, Why should the good man ever fear, His tent, where'er 't is pitched, is near Take Jesus for thy Saviour, then Thou sleepest under angels' wings, "Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east." "And he looked, and behold a well in the field." GEN. 29:1, 2. THREE MEANINGS OF WELL. While Jacob sat by Haran's well, Asking the shepherds, Are my kindred well? Forth came sweet Rachel, and he loved her well. How were Jacob and Rachel related? How long did Jacob serve Laban, and how was he rewarded? Seven years he toiled; they seemed but days, For Leah, too, he served the same, Six more, a weary term, he staid, JACOB'S RETURN. At the command of God, Jacob fled from Laban who treated him harshly, and set out on his return to his kindred and his native land. He had his wives and children, his flocks and herds, with him; therefore he must travel slowly, and proceed with great caution; for the way was long, and beset with dangers. But God had said, "I will be with thee." GEN. 31:3. Therefore Jacob was not afraid. Laban pursued him, but God softened the hard heart of the father-in-law, and he made a league with Jacob, after which they separated in peace and friendship. The last words of Laban express a noble and tender sentiment, for parting friends to breathe for each other: "The Lord watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another." Therefore the name of the place where they separated was called Mizpah, which signifies a watch-tower. VISION OF ANGELS. While Jacob was travelling homeward with his little family, angels were hovering round him to keep him from harm. God opened his eyes, that he might see this, and be encouraged. Scripture records this wonderful vision in two short verses, but they are full of meaning, and the language is simple and pure. "And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him." |