Lesson Scripture, Genesis, Chapters 29 to 31, R.V.
Note.—We have not space to print the 123 verses of these three chapters. The lesson is too long. We therefore give the regular questions and the verses or a synopsis of the verses, which answer them. For the entire scripture the reader is referred to the Bible.
1. After Jacob’s rich experience at Bethel, in what spirit did he continue his journey?
“Then Jacob went on his journey [‘lifted up his feet,’ margin, indicating exultation], and came to the land of the children of the East.” Gen. 29:1.
2. Briefly narrate the circumstances connected with Jacob’s introduction to the home of Laban. Verses 2–14.
Jacob came to a well, where he found three men with flocks of sheep. He asked where they lived, and if they knew Laban, the son of Nahor. They said they were of Haran, and that Laban was well, and that his daughter Rachel would soon come with her flock of sheep. Here the shepherds remained till all the flocks were gathered, when the well was opened, and the sheep were watered. Rachel came also with Laban’s flock. Jacob watered her flock, kissed her, told her who he was, met and greeted Laban, who received him warmly, and visited with Laban for a month.
3. After a month’s visit at Laban’s house, into what contract did Jacob and Laban enter? V. 15–19.
Laban had two daughters, Leah and Rachel, the older, Leah, plain looking, the younger, Rachel, beautiful. Jacob contracted with Laban to serve him seven years for Rachel.
4. What effect does true love have upon the labors of man?
“And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.” Verse 20.
5. What family trait of character did Laban now manifest? Verses 21–25.
At the marriage feast, at the end of the years, Laban deceived Jacob by giving him Leah instead of Rachel. Leah’s maid servant was named Zilpah.
6. Love for what led Laban to thus deceive? Verses 27, 28. See “Patriarchs and Prophets,” page 189.
(1) That he might have his elder daughter married first, according to custom, and (2) he desired to secure Jacob’s service longer.
7. Verse 29 of chapter 29 to verse 24 of chapter 30 shows what has always been the result of polygamy,—jealousy, strife, bitterness, unhappiness.
8. After Jacob had a family of eleven sons and one daughter, what request did he make to Laban?
“And it came to pass, when Rachel had borne Joseph, that Jacob said unto Laban, Send me away, that I may go unto mine own place, and to my country. Give me my wives and my children for whom I have served thee, and let me go; for thou knowest my service wherewith I have served thee.” Gen. 30:25, 26.
9. How did Laban regard this request? What acknowledgment and offer did he make?
“And Laban said unto him, If now I have found favor in thine eyes, tarry; for I have divined that the Lord hath blessed me for thy sake. And he said, Appoint me thy wages, and I will give it.” Verses 27, 28.
10. What agreement did they finally enter into? Verses 29–34.
The agreement was that from Laban’s flocks the spotted and speckled among the goats and the black among the sheep were to be removed, and those thus marked should be Jacob’s, and no others.
11. When, as a result of this agreement, Jacob “increased exceedingly,” what was the attitude of Laban and his sons toward him?
“And he heard the words of Laban’s sons, saying, Jacob hath taken away all that was our father’s; and of that which was our father’s hath he gotten all this glory. And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as beforetime.” Gen. 31:1, 2.
12. In his perplexity, what did God in a dream tell him to do?
“And the Lord said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee.” “And the angel of God said unto me in the dream, Jacob; and I said, Here am I.” “I am the God of Beth-el, where thou anointedst a pillar, where thou vowedst a vow unto Me; now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy nativity.” Verses 3, 11, 13.
13. How did Rachel and Leah feel in regard to the matter? Why?
“And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me.” “And Rachel and Leah answered and said unto him, Is there yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father’s house? Are we not counted of him strangers? for he hath sold us, and hath also quite devoured our money. For all the riches which God hath taken away from our father, that is ours and our children’s; now then, whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do.” Verses 7, 14–16.
14. What did Jacob immediately proceed to do?
“Then Jacob rose up, and set his sons and his wives upon the camels; and he carried away all his cattle, and all his substance which he had gathered, the cattle of his getting, which he had gathered in Padan-Aram, for to go to Isaac his father unto the land of Canaan.” Verses 17, 18.
15. Upon hearing of Jacob’s flight, what did Laban do?
“And it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob was fled. And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven days’ journey; and he overtook him in the mountain of Gilead.” Verses 22, 23.
16. How did the Lord reveal again to Jacob that “He is faithful that promised”?
“And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream of the night, and said unto him, Take heed to thyself that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.” “It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt; but the God of your father spake unto me yesternight, saying, Take heed to thyself that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.” Verses 24, 29.
“And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee whithersoever thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.” Gen. 28:15.
17. What lessons do you learn from the meeting of Laban and Jacob at Mt. Gilead? Gen. 31:25–55.
The chief lessons are that God cared for Jacob as He had promised; that this was because of Jacob’s humility and faithfulness; that being faithful to God, he was faithful to Laban; in it all Jacob showed his remembrance of God by offering sacrifice; it is not wise to be rash, as was Jacob, who hotly said, Let the one die with whom Laban’s images were found. He had too much confidence in Rachel’s goodness. “Be not rash with thy mouth.” See I Sam. 14:24–45.
18. What do you learn in this lesson of the manners and customs of the “children of the East”?
One thing is evident, deception and duplicity, idolatry, acknowledging Jehovah as a god, but not the only God; yet reverence for custom and parents.
Suggestive Readings.—“Patriarchs and Prophets,” pp. 188–194; “Spirit of Prophecy,” Vol. 1, pp. 109–117.
NOTES.
It was Jacob’s own course that rendered his experience in Haran necessary. “Evil imparted, also returns again. Every one who has been free to condemn, or discourage, will in his own experience be brought over the ground where he has caused others to pass; will feel what they have suffered because of his want of sympathy and tenderness. It is the love of God toward us that has decreed this. He would lead us to abhor our own hardness of heart, and to open our hearts to let Jesus abide in them. And thus out of evil, good is brought, and what appeared a curse becomes a blessing. . . . In slighting the claims of the poor, the suffering, and the sinful, we are proving ourselves traitors to Christ. It is because men take upon themselves the name of Christ, while in life they deny His character, that Christianity has so little power in the world. The name of the Lord is blasphemed because of these things.”—Mount of Blessing, pp. 180, 181.
ADDITIONAL STUDY.
(1) Compare Jacob’s arrival in Padan-Aram with that of Abraham’s servant about one hundred years before. (2) Show from this lesson that Laban intellectually believed in the God of Jacob. Will others know if we are servants of God? How? Read Psalms I. (3) What evidence have we in this and previous chapters that Abraham’s kindred were worshipers of false gods? (4) Were Jacob’s descendants ever again in that country? If so, when, and under what circumstances? (5) Look up the following names and places; Haran, Padan-Aram, Syria, “The River” (Euphrates), Gilead, tabret, harp, gods, Jegar-Sahadutha, Galeed, Mizpah.
