Gen3213_Jacob Wrestles With God.jpg
Jacob Returns to Canaan
 
Jacob worked for Laban for twenty years. Fourteen years for the hand of Rachel and Leah, and another six year for cattle and sheep. Laban was always trying to cheat Jacob out of his wages, but God blessed Jacob and increased his wages. Jacob decided that he would leave Laban and go back to Canaan with his wives, children and much live stock.

Jacob waited till Laban was away shearing his sheep. Then he packed all his belongings and with his wives, children and all his flocks quickly left. Three days later Laban found out about Jacob leaving, and decided to chase after him. On the seventh day Laban caught up with Jacob.

When Laban caught up with Jacob he asked him why he had stolen his daughters, their children, and all the flocks? And that someone had stolen some of his idols.

Jacob told Laban that he was afraid of Laban. Laban had changed his wages ten times in the last six years to try and cheat him. Jacob thought that Laban would not let his daughters along with their children, and all the flocks go. So Jacob had snuck away while Laban was busy. He also told Laban that he had not taken his idols, but if someone with him had done so they would be put to death.

Jacob did not know that his lovely wife Rachel has stolen them. Laban searched Jacob's tent first, then Leah's tent, then Rachel's tent. Rachel had hidden the idols in the saddle bags of her camel. She then sat on top of them. When her father entered her tent she asked him to forgive her for remaining seated. Although Laban's search was thorough he found nothing.

Now, Jacob was cross with Laban for accusing him and his family of stealing the idols. So Jacob and Laban talked about their problems. Laban said that he would let his daughters and their children, and all the flocks go to Canaan with Jacob. He kissed his daughters and grandchildren goodbye, and went back home.

Jacob had got over the problem of leaving Laban without too much trouble, but he was now facing an even greater problem. Meeting his brother Esau from whom he had stolen the birthright blessing. Would Esau forgive Jacob? Or would Esau come out to fight and kill him?

Jacob sent messengers to Esau telling him that he had stayed with Laban, and that he had many oxen, asses, flocks, and servants. He wanted to come in peace, and hoped Esau would accept him back home.

The messengers returned to Jacob telling him that Esau was coming to meet him with four hundred men. This filled Jacob with fear. He divided his family and flocks in two. If Esau came across one lot, the other could escape.

Jacob also took two hundred she goats, twenty he goats, two hundred ewes, and twenty rams, thirty milch camels with their colts, forty kine, and ten bulls, twenty she asses and ten foals. These he gave to some of his servants telling them to go on ahead of the rest of the group and deliver these as a gift to Esau.

That night while Jacob was alone, someone grabbed him. Jacob thought that it must be one of Esau's men and fought with all his might all night long. Neither one of the men getting an advantage over the other. At day break the stranger touched Jacob's hip, dislocating it.

Jacob then knew that he had not been fighting with a man, but with the Lord. Jacob would not let the Lord go, except He bless him. The Lord said that his name would no longer be called Jacob, but Israel. Then the Lord blessed Jacob and left.

Although the Lord blessed Jacob, he had a bad limp because of his dislocated hip. Jacob again gathered his family and moved on. Lifting his eyes up, he saw Esau coming with his four hundred men.

Quickly Jacob divided up his children with their mothers, placing his wives' maids first with their children, then Leah with her children, and lastly Rachel with Joseph. Jacob went in front of them all and bowed himself to the ground seven times as he came near to his brother, Esau.

Esau ran to meet his brother. He picked his brother up off the ground. He threw his arms around Jacob and hugged him. He wanted to know why Jacob had sent all the flocks to him. Esau said that he had enough flocks of his own, and told Jacob to keep the animals he had sent Esau as a gift.

Esau wanted to travel with Jacob, but because he had such young children and much livestock they could not go fast. Jacob told Esau to go on ahead and that he would follow. So Esau went back to Seir by himself, with Jacob following slowly.

(Genesis 31:17-55; 32:1-32; 33:1-20. Jacobstory)

이 게시물을...


추천 비추천


BIBLE - WEB, KJV, ASV(Quiz), NIV,
개역한글KHRV( 120일1독, 1년1독, 권별, 성경통독 )
STUDY - 구절(WESLEY), 단락(MATTHEW), 테마별,
Dictionary - Chapter, OT구약, NT신약, 읽기(Wayne), 소요리, 대요리 문답, 신앙고백WCF

성경연대표 1.창조 2.족장 3.출애굽 4.광야 5.정복 6.사사 7.통일왕국 8.분열왕국 9.포로 10.포로귀환 11.중간 12.예수 13.초대교회 14.세계선교

http://subkorea.com/xe/142457
(*.185.6.74)