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Genesis 31b:

Reading #128

The pursuit

The man of religion who had the mark of the beast in his head (the love of control), was not going to let Jacob get away if he could help it, so he chased after him.

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Genesis 31:

22 And it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob was fled. 23 And he took his brethren [his fellow religionists] with him, and pursued after him seven days' journey; and they overtook him in the mount Gilead. 24 And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said to him, “Take heed that you speak not to Jacob either good or bad.” 25 Then Laban overtook Jacob.

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It was three days before Laban learned of their flight, and set forth in pursuit, overtaking the company on the seventh day of their journey. He was hot with anger, and bent on forcing them to return, which he didn’t doubt he could do, since his group was much the stronger. The fugitives were indeed in great peril. 

That he did not carry out his hostile purpose was due to the fact that the Son of God Himself had interposed for the protection of His servant saying, "Take you heed that you speak not to Jacob either good or bad."  That is, he should not force him to return, or urge him by flattering inducements. 

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Genesis 31:

25 Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mount: and Laban with his brethren [also] pitched in the mount of Gilead. 

26 And Laban said to Jacob, “What have you done, that you have stolen away unawares to me, and carried away my daughters, as captives taken with the sword? 27 Why did you flee away secretly, and steal away [my gods] from me; and did not tell me, that I might have sent you away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp? [What a whopper!  But many can be deceived by soft words.] 28 And have not suffered me to kiss my sons and my daughters? You have now done foolishly in so doing. 29 It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt: but the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, ‘Take you heed that you speak not to Jacob either good or bad’.”

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The fact that the Son of God spoke to Laban is no indication that he was on God’s side in his religion.  It was merely one way which Jesus took to show His protecting power over Jacob, as He had done before with Pharaoh and Abimelech.  In the same manner as Laban made an uneasy peace with Jacob so religion in the last days will eventually cease persecution and hand the people of God over to the state to be treated as traitors.

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Genesis 31:

30 “And now [Laban continued], though you would needs be gone, because you sore longed after your father's house, yet why have you stolen my gods?”

31 And Jacob answered and said to Laban, “[I ran] Because I was afraid: for I said, Peradventure [maybe] you would take by force your daughters from me. 32  [However], with whoever you find your gods, let him not live.  Before [in front of] our brethren discern you [search out] what is yours with me, and take it to you.” For Jacob knew not that Rachel had stolen them.

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Although under God’s complete protection, Jacob did not have a comprehensive knowledge of those who were with him.  He stood in conscious innocence in this matter, but others of his family did not.  This difference would be vital for their safety.  It was not really the statues of the gods that were at issue here, but what they represent, the false doctrines, or ideas of acceptable religious behaviour.  Some of these were present in his travelling companions and they would have a great effect on their future.

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Genesis 31:

33 And Laban went into Jacob's tent, and into Leah's tent, and into the two maidservants' tents; but he found them not. Then went he out of Leah's tent, and entered into Rachel's tent. 34 Now Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the camel's furniture [saddles etc.], and sat upon them. And Laban searched all the tent, but found them not. 35 And she said to her father, “Let it not displease my lord that I cannot rise up before you; for the custom of women is upon me.” And he searched, but found not the images.

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It seems that the only ones Laban suspected were his own family, for he does not appear to have searched the tents of the multitude.  Even then, because of the duplicity of his own daughter, he did not find the images of his gods.  They are really in the minds of the believers, anyway.

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Genesis 31:

36 And Jacob was wroth, and chided with [reproached] Laban: and Jacob answered and said to Laban, “What is my trespass? What is my sin, that you have so hotly pursued after me? 37 Whereas you have searched all my stuff, what have you found of all your household stuff? Set it here before my brethren and your brethren, that they may judge between us both. 38 This twenty years have I been with you; your ewes and your she goats have not cast their young, and the rams of your flock have I not eaten. 39 That which was torn of beasts I brought not to you; I bore the loss of it; of my hand did you require it, whether stolen by day, or stolen by night.”

40 “Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from my eyes. 41 Thus have I been twenty years in your house; I served you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your cattle: and you have changed my wages ten times. 42 Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac [a description of God Almighty], had been with me, surely you had sent me away now empty. God has seen my affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked you last night [which should have been proof of my innocence].”

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In that country and at certain times, it was necessary for the shepherd to watch his flocks day and night. They were in danger from robbers, and also from wild beasts, which were numerous and bold, often committing great havoc in flocks that were not faithfully guarded.

Jacob had many assistants in caring for the extensive flocks of Laban, but he himself was held responsible for them all. During some portions of the year it was necessary for him to be constantly with the flocks in person, to guard them in the dry season against perishing from thirst, and during the coldest months from becoming chilled with the heavy night frosts. Jacob was the chief shepherd; the servants in his employ were the undershepherds. If any of the sheep were missing, the chief shepherd suffered the loss; and he called the servants to whom he entrusted the care of the flock to a strict account if it was not found in a flourishing condition. 

The shepherd's life of diligence and care-taking, and his tender compassion for the helpless creatures in his charge, have been employed by the inspired writers to illustrate some of the most precious truths of the gospel. Christ, in His relation to His people, is compared to a shepherd. After Adam’s leap into sin He saw His sheep doomed to perish in the dark ways of sin. To save these wandering ones He left the honours and glories of His Father's house.  He promises:

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Ezekiel 34:

16 "I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick." …

22  [I will] "save My flock, and they shall no more be a prey." …

28 "Neither shall the beast of the land [or its image] devour them."

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His voice has often been heard calling His followers to His fold as it will be in the last days.  Then He will be to us:-

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Isaiah 4:

6 "… a Shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of Refuge, and for a Covert [a place of concealment] from storm and from rain."

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His care for the flock is unwearied. He strengthens the weak, relieves the suffering, gathers the lambs in His arms, and carries them in His bosom. His sheep love Him.

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John 10:

5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him; for they know not the voice of strangers.

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In all these things we should see how and where we can be during that last “flight”.  For that time will come, and we shall need to stay close to Him to survive and see the second advent.

More next week?

Bye

Ron

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