January 11 / Genesis 31-33

Genesis 31-33

After 20 years away from the land of his birth, Jacob is a changed man. At the outset he profoundly encounters the Living God in his “Ladder” dream at Bethel. Then he spends years dealing with Uncle Laban, where he learns what it is to be on the receiving end of trickery, theft, and abuse. He works 14 years to “earn” Laban’s two daughters, Leah and Rachel, and gets two concubines thrown in, resulting in one daughter (Dinah) and eleven sons (so far). After working another 6 years for deceptively changing wages, Jacob again hears from the LORD: “Return to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you.” (Gen. 31:3) It is finally time for Jacob to separate from Laban and return home.

Before getting on the road, Jacob’s favorite wife, Rachel, takes on the mantle of “schemer” and steals her father’s household gods (i.e., idols). It is not entirely clear here what Rachel’s intentions are regarding these so-called gods. Does she believe in them and so clings to them instead of the LORD? Is she trying to secure some kind of protection from these idols? Or is she just “sticking it” to her father, Laban, showing him that he is no longer in charge? I don’t know, and the Bible doesn’t say.

In any case, anticipating Laban’s unfavorable reaction to their leaving, Jacob tries to just slip away quietly. It is difficult to move a large contingent of people, livestock, and material goods without being noticed, so Laban realizes what is going on and pursues him. God, however, warns Laban not to step out of line with Jacob, so Laban is constrained in his actions and has a nice friendly uncle-to-son-in-law chat with Jacob regarding the matter of those missing household gods, about which Jacob knows nothing. In his ignorance, Jacob makes a rash vow that whoever has the idols should die, but Rachel — like her deceptive father and husband — lies her way out of the crisis.

Jacob and Laban finally part ways, establishing a covenant not to interfere with one another, erecting a heap of stones as a testimonial monument, and saying, “The LORD watch between you and me…” Laban says this with animosity, meaning it as a severe warning to beware of doing anything against him. (I find it interesting that I occasionally hear that phrase freely quoted out of context, always with an intended meaning very different from what we have here. People seem to say it as a blessing, a pledge of friendship and togetherness, maintaining a spiritual connection despite having to be physically parted. But that is not at all what it means. Be careful what you quote!)

Turning away from Laban, Jacob must then face the fearful prospect of meeting his brother, Esau, whom he cheated 20 years earlier. He learns that Esau is coming to meet him with a force of 400 men. But Jacob, recognizing his own unworthiness for God’s steadfast love, prays for protection and deliverance. He recalls the Lord’s promise and is encouraged. Even so, he sends wave after wave of livestock ahead of him as presents to appease Esau, hoping to deflect his anger and resentment. In fear, Jacob divides up his family, placing Zilpah and Bilhah (his concubines) with their children first, then Leah and her children, and finally Rachel with Joseph. But when Esau finally arrives, he does not attack but instead embraces Jacob. The brothers thus reconcile, and Jacob is humble in his interactions, calling himself Esau’s servant. Yet it is clear in the end that Jacob intends to remain independent and not become enmeshed with Esau.

But what about this other encounter that Jacob has with God? The night before he meets Esau, Jacob wrestles with a mysterious figure, a “man” that evidently is not just a man, but an angel, or even God Himself in some fashion. They wrestle until the break of day, and Jacob’s hip is put out of joint, but Jacob refuses to let go, demanding a blessing. The “man” declares, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” (Gen. 32:28) From that day forward Jacob is no longer just Jacob, but Israel.

I am not going to pretend that I understand this encounter, but one thing to note is Jacob’s displaced hip, which causes him to limp for the rest of his life. It becomes a constant reminder of this wrestling match, this contest with God. We sometimes hear it said that God always wants to heal our bodily ailments, that he never intends physical suffering. And yes, sometimes we need to bolster our faith and receive healing from His hand. But it is simply not true that God always wants to heal. Sometimes He wounds, but the wounds are for a good purpose, given by a loving and faithful God to keep us close to Himself.