01-80 Jacob’s Exodus

Genesis 31:1-55

Scripture Reading—Romans 9:1-13;

There are many today who question whether the Word of God has failed. That question is driving Paul’s discussion in this portion of Rom (chs 9-11—1 unit). In fact, questions that are answered by Paul here in Rom include:

If the gospel is offered to Gentiles, did God forsake His chosen people?

If salvation is from the Jews and 1st for the Jews, why did Israel reject the Messiah?

If individual Jews must be saved by personal faith, what will become of the “nation”?

If nothing can separate those whom God has called from His love (Rom 8), why is the chosen nation still in unbelief? Is God truly sovereign in salvation?

So Paul will begin to unfold the answers to these questions in Rom 9—(very deep waters and when you begin to grasp the import of Paul’s message, you’ll be taken to heights of worship that you haven’t encountered before). But this not spiritual milk…this is the prime rib, with all the fixings, loaded baked potato and all. If you can begin to accept this spiritual meat, even if it fundamentally changes what you think and how you believe, you’re going to be sustained by the Word of God. At the beginning of ch 9, Paul affirms his affection for fellow Jews who have yet to believe in LJC—even though they have all the privileges: adoption, glory, covenants, giving Law, temple service, promises, fathers, lineage of Messiah.

This is where Paul preemptively answers the question on people’s mind—If Israel has all these privileges, and still remain in unbelief, has the Word of God failed? Vs 6

God promised to bless Israel (Abraham and onward), yet Israel remains hardened in unbelief (1st C and today)—so what has happened to Scripture?

Paul is striking a blow at any suggestion that God’s Word has failed (lit “to fall”—a falling star, falling to the ground, falling from a cliff; it was a nautical term meaning to drift off course, to fail to reach the port). 1 Cor 13—love never fails. Paul affirms that God’s Word, His promises (OT) cannot fail b/c God cannot lie. In the rest of the chapter Paul will quote 15 OT vv to prove that God’s Word has not failed! Paul then explains why there is widespread hardness and rebellion against God by Israel.

“They” (ethnic, physical Israel—Jews) are not all Israel (spiritual believing Israel) who are descended from Israel (physical Israel-Jacob). Many believed that the promises belong to those who physically descended from Israel. Paul says if it were based on physical lineage then Ishmaelites and Edomites would be included with Jews (then God’s Word would have failed).

Paul will use 2 examples to illustrate this truth:

Abraham and his sons (7-8)

Isaac and his sons (9-13) walk thru briefly:

How this turned out? vs 12—the older will serve the younger (backward).

One of the most challenging verses in the Bible—vs 13

Paul is not making this up—He appeals to the authority of God’s Word—Mal 1:2-3; (Can you embrace the truth—difficult as it may be; simply b/c God spoke it, it is His Word—inerrant, inspired—divinely authoritative?)

“Jacob” (emphatic position)—this is the same man we’ve been studying in Gen. He is the one who took advantage of his brother’s circumstances, deceived his father to give him the blessing.

“I” this is God the Father

“loved”—God chose to set His affection upon this son of Isaac and had nothing to do with Jacob (vs 11). B/c of God’s sovereign, unconditional choice—He loved Jacob.

Theologically speaking there are 2 aspects of God’s love:

General Love

for all mankind (non-saving)

general goodness (to all creatures)

Matthew 6:26 NASB95

26 “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?

Matthew 6:28 NASB95

28 “And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin,

results in temporal blessings (some receive more than others)

God’s Loving Disposition toward Creation:

Matt 5:43-48;

Deuteronomy 10:18 NASB95

18 “He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love for the alien by giving him food and clothing.

Luke 6:35 NASB95

35 “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.

Ps 104, 14,21,27,28;

Psalm 145:9 NASB95

9 The Lord is good to all, And His mercies are over all His works.

Acts 14:17 (Lystra after Paul healed a lame man and the crowds began to call Paul and Barnabas gods—why are you doing this—v 15).

God’s general love results in a common-grace, non-saving grace, evidencing the goodness of the Lord to His creatures

Saving Love

Reserved for those He foreknew (Rom 8:29-30); predestined, called, justified, glorified.

Sovereign, saving love (not based on anything in the object of the one being loved).

The expression of this love causes:

—God to author the plan of redemption)

—To commission the Son to come to earth (John 3:16)

—To enlist the HS (to empower the Son to accomplish the mission, to convict, to regenerate)

God loves those He chose to set His saving affection on before the world (Eph 1:4), yet they were all under God’s wrath until their conversion (Eph 2:1-3)—subject to condemnation.

“Jacob I loved” God’s choice to save, to bless the man and his descendants in fulfillment to His promise to Abraham Isaac and Jacob.

The 2nd part of this vs—very difficult “Esau I hated.” The reality is that the saving blessings of God are not enjoyed by all who are made in God’s image.

Matthew 7:13–14 NASB95

13 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Esau was not God’s choice. I’m reluctant to take you deeper into this verse (“horrible doctrine” of Reprobation—refers to God’s determination to condemn the sinner) at this point. Paul’s argument that God’s Word has not failed has been demonstrated in that His promises were given to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (not the other physical descendants).

The reality is that God’s saving purposes are established—particularly in Jacob. And when God saves, change is effected. Salvation results in transformation. That was true in OT saints, NT saints, it is true today. If God has set His saving affection upon you, and you have believed on the LJC (HS regenerates you) and the work of sanctification begins, transforming you/conforming you into the image of LJ—the very one you believe in. Now, that transformation is a life-long process, but people around you will notice it.

This was true of Jacob. Jacob was the deceiver. He took advantage of his brother. But after spending 20 years away from home, he is about to return a changed man. What accounts for that change? This is the work of God by means of His promise (the Word). That Word does not fail! In Gen 31, I want to show you 3 ways Jacob has been transformed from what he was earlier. At this point, he is in his late 90s—proves that you are never too old change. (only have time for 1 today).

1. Jacob’s Unhesitating Obedience

vv 1-21

As we move thru the beginning of this narrative, there are 4 sections that form our outline:

A. God’s Command

1-3

Laban and his sons resent the overwhelming success of Jacob (30:43). The sons especially believe that Jacob has become wealthy at their expense and actually to their own loss “from what belonged…” Of course, Jacob’s success is due to God’s blessing and fulfillment of His promise to be with him and to provide for him.

Laban was visibly disturbed. “Attitude” (lit “face of Laban”) was not as it had been. There was clearly a disfavor shown toward him during these 6 years as Jacob’s herd grew immensely. Laban saw that prosperity and it produced an ungodly envy within—his face showed it.

It is interesting to note that Jacob does not return to Canaan b/c of the friction with Laban’s sons or with Laban’s disfavor. It was b/c YHWH had given the directive:

vs 3. This is a command. And it was a gracious word spoken to Jacob. Now, for 20 years there has been no mention of Jacob’s dealings toward God. There is no mention of an altar, no reference to prayer, nothing specifically expressing his devotion to the Lord. He knew YHWH was with him, as the dream would have impressed that truth upon him. He acknowledges that Laban’s success is b/c God was with him. Nothing is said about communion with God at this point—for 20 years. Though I don’t think Jacob had forgotten God, and certainly God had not forgotten Jacob—He loved Jacob.

So God gives him the directive “to return…” and the command contains a promise “and I will be with you.”

One of the things Xns often struggle with is knowing and doing God’s will. And though it really is not as difficult as we make it out to be, there are commands in Scripture where God could not be more clear about what He wants from His people. This was true for Jacob…Jacob simply needed to obey. It is true for us and God wants us to obey.

B. Jacob’s Concern

4-13

Jacob is sharing his perception about his father-in-law with his wives. At this point in his life, he has grown immensely and knows with certainty that “God of my father has been with me.” That has been the source of strength, comfort, fortitude to meet challenges. This is the believer’s confidence today—you have trusted the person of JC for salvation and continue to trust Him with the certainty that God is with you. Jesus is with you, the HS is in you, Jesus is in you, you are in Him, your life is hidden with Christ in God (Col 3:3). Anything that you face, challenges that lies ahead, God is with you—take comfort, courage).

Jacob says—vs 6 (Jacob has been diligent worker, he’s not one to cut corners).

vs 7 “yet” cheated (mock, trifle with, deceive) and changed wages (not for the better). Employees today will usually find an increase in wages to at least match inflation or performance based—that’s a good thing. Jacob says his wages have been lowered 10x. Earlier they agreed on Jacob’s wages (Gen 30:28, 32-33) but Laban has proven that his word was empty. He didn’t stick to his word and treated Jacob unfairly.

But God was still on Jacob’s side (7b). Jacob also connected the dots. Even though Laban intended to take advantage of Jacob, God still intervened in the matter of the flocks.

He then relates the dream he had from God to his wives (vs 10-13). This called to Jacob’s mind his sacred vow made in Bethel (amidst the promised land) that in response to God’s faithfulness, the Lord would be his God (cf. 28:20–22).

Jacob takes his concern to his wives and shows them how God has directed him to return to his homeland.

C. The Wives’ Craving

14-16

Perhaps to his delight, Jacob does not meet any resistance from his wives when he tell them he is ready to leave Haran and go back home. Leah and Rachel are already prepared to support him. They weren’t so much offended by what their father did to Jacob but how he had treated them personally. He cheated his own daughters. vv 15-16 Kent Hughes observes:

The Book of Genesis, Chapters 18–50 1. Jacob and His Wives Resolve to Leave Laban (31:1–16)

Their complaint that Laban sold them and devoured23 what was due them indicates that in early Israelite society the father enjoyed the fruits of the bride price only for a while. The money, in whole or in part, was to revert to the daughter at the time of succession, or if she were impoverished by her husband’s death. Laban’s sons have displaced Laban’s daughters. Financially they are abandoned. Because Jacob “paid” for his wives with service instead of money, they feel they are entitled to the equivalent of his service in money.24

It is also possible the women were embittered against their father b/c he failed to let the bride payment become part of the dowry. The ancient world in that time treated marriage as a purchase transaction. The mother purchased a bride for her son for 16 shekels of silver. Laban’s daughters complained that he sold them (like one would sell a slave). In protest, they are ready to leave with their husband with full agreement “now then, do whatever God has said” (16).

I’ll add to the wives out there—this is how you submit to your husband. Now, I’m not suggesting that decisions be made without consulting you (that you have no voice)…but your husband is your head (divinely ordained pattern of authority within the home).

Ephesians 5:23–24 NASB95

23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. 24 But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.

Rachel & Leah render loving submission to Jacob and are ready to set out with him, away from their own homeland.

D. The Family’s Checkout

17-21

The family is ready to leave. Jacob’s packing up the family station-wagon (camels).

Shearing sheep was a springtime activity in Mesopotamia. Large flocks meant large shearing crews that would spend a long time away from home. One famous account records 300-400 men working for a 3 day period to shear one owner’s flock. Laban gathering the wool would have been the perfect time to leave by stealth.

There’s a play on words in vv 19-20 to show the mutual actions of Jacob and Rachel.

Vs 19—Rachel stole (lit stole the heart) household idols., vs 20 Jacob deceived Laban (both using the same word). Rachel and Jacob were truly a kindred spirit as it turned out.

Rachel’s theft were of her father’s household idols. The word is teraphim probably small, carved human figurines. Later, one of David’s wives will take a life-sized teraphim and put a wig on it and place it in David’s bed to fool Saul’s murderous emissaries (1 Sam 19:13). Rachel takes these from the home most likely because a teraphim (means of interpreting) would have been used by Laban in divination to find out which way Jacob had set out. Rachel might have taken them to keep him from detecting the escape.

It might have also been for contempt of Laban and his idolatry that prompted the theft. Whatever the case, Jacob sets out on the journey to return to the land of his father.

The way the Lord led Jacob to leave Haran is the same way He leads His people today in following His will. It includes: the inner witness in the heart, the outward circumstances of life, and the truth of His Word.

God put the desire in Jacob’s heart to return to his own country (30:25) 6 years before he actually left. Not every longing of the human heart is the voice of God (Jer 17:9) and we must carefully exercise discernment but desires can be a strong indicator of God’s will for your life.

Psalm 37:4 NASB95

4 Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart.

God also uses circumstances to direct us according to His will. By the end of those 6 years, the relationship with his in-laws was becoming terribly stressed and they weren’t as friendly as before. God can use circumstances in our lives to direct us—and again we need to exercise discernment but sometimes when God wants to move us He will bring circumstances that make things uncomfortable for us.

Finally, and most importantly God uses His Word to direct us. God clearly spoke to Jacob and showed him His will. “I want you to go back to your homeland.” It couldn’t have been clearer to Jacob. And Jacob obeyed. He obeyed without hesitation. This is how God wants us to respond to His Word…obey God. Follow His will in the way He wants it done and for His glory.

God loved Jacob and that love was transforming Jacob into the man God would work His purposes thru to bring the blessing of redemption to the world in the person of LJC.