(3) Jacob's Departure. Punishment in this world often follows close upon the heels of trans gression. Fear seized the guilty Jacob, who is sent by his father, at the suggestion of Re bekah, to the original seat of the family, in order that he might find a wife among his cousins, the daughters of his mother's brother, Laban the Syrian. Before he is dismissed Jacob again re ceives his father's blessing, the object obviously being to keep alive in the young man's mind the great promise given to Abraham, and thus to transmit that influence which, under the aid of Divine providence, was to end in placing the family in possession of the land of Palestine, and in so doing to make it 'a multitude of people.' (4) Dream at Bethel. It appears, from the language which Jacob employs (Gen. xxviii :16) in relation to the dream that he had when he tarried all night upon a certain plain on his journey east ward, that his idea of the Deity was little more than that of a local god—'Surely the Lord is in this place, and I knew it ?tot.' (5) Meets Rachel. Jacob, on coming into the land of the people of the East, accidentally met with Rachel, Laban's daughter, to whom, with true eastern simplicity and politeness, he showed such courtesy as the duties of pastoral life sug gest and admit. And here his gentle and af fectionate nature displays itself under the influ ence of the bonds of kindred and the fair form of youth: 'Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice and wept.' (6) Serves Laban. After he had been with his uncle the space of a month, Laban inquires of him what' reward he expects for his services. He asks for the 'beautiful and well-favored Ra chel.' His request is granted on condition of a seven years' service--a long period truly, but to Jacob 'they seemed but a few days for the love he had to her.' When the time was expired, the crafty Laban availed himself of the customs of the country, in order to substitute his elder and 'tender-eyed' daughter Leah. In the morning Jacob found how he had been beguiled; but La ban excused himself, saying, 'It must not be done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn.' Another seven years' service gains for Jacob the beloved Rachel. Leah, however, has the compensatory privilege of being the mother of the firstborn—Reuben. Three other sons suc cessively follow, namely, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, sons of Leah. This fruitfulness was a painful subject of reflection to the barren Rachel, who employed language on this occasion that called forth a reply from her husband which shows that, mild as was the character of Jacob, it was by no means wanting in force and energy (Gen. xxx:2). An arrangement, however, took place, by which Rachel had children by means of her maid, Bilhah, of whom Dan and Naphtali were born. Two other sons—Gad and Asher—were born to Jacob of Leah's maid, Zilpah. Leah her self bare two more sons, namely, Issachar and ZebuInn; she also bare a daughter, Dinah. At length Rachel herself bare a son, and she called his name Joseph.
Most faithfully, and with great success, had Jacob served his uncle for fourteen years, when he became desirous of returning to his parents. At the urgent request of Laban. however, he is induced to remain. The language employed upon this occasion (Gen. xxx :25, sq.) shows that Ja cob's character had gained considerably during his service both in strength and comprehensiveness; but the means which he employed in order to make his bargain with his uncle work so as to enrich himself prove too clearly that his moral feelings had not undergone an equal improve ment, and that the original taint of prudence, and the sad lessons of his mother in deceit, had produced some of their natural fruit in his bosom.
(7) Departs from Laban. The prosperity of
Jacob displeased and grieved Laban, so that a separation scented desirable. Ilis wives are ready to accompany him. Accordingly he set out, with his family and his property, 'to go to Isaac his father in the land of Canaan.' It was not till the third day that Laban learned that Jacob had fled, when he immediately set out in pursuit of his nephew, and after seven days' journey over took him in Mount Gilead. Laban, however, is divinely warned not to hinder Jacob's return. Reproach and recrimination ensued. Even a charge of theft is put forward by Laban, 'Where fore hasi thou stolen my gods?' In truth, Rachel had carried off certain images which were the objects of worship. Ignorant of this misdeed, Jacob boldly called for a search, adding, 'With whomsoever thou findest thy gods let him not live.' A crafty woman's cleverness eluded the keen eye of Laban. Rachel, by an appeal which one of her sex alone could make, deceived her father. Thus one sin begets another; superstition prompts to theft, and theft necessitates deceit.
Laban's conduct on this occasion called forth a reply from Jacob, from which it appears that his service had been most severe, and which also proves that however this severe serwice might have encouraged a certain servility, it had not prevented the development in Jacob's soul of a high and energetic spirit, which when roused could assert its rights and give utterance to senti ments just, striking, and forcible, and in the most poetical phraseology.
Peace, however, being restored, Laban, on the ensuing morning, took a friendly. if not an af fcctionate farewell of his daughters and their sons, and returned home. Meanwhile Jacob, go ing on his way, had to pass near the land of Seir. in which Esau dwelt. Remembering his own conduct and his brother's threat, he was seized with fear, and sent messengers before in order to propitiate Esau.
(8) News from Esau. Jacob, informed by his messengers that Esau came to rneet him with four hundred men, justly suspected his intentions were murderous, and sent off before him a large present of two hundred and twenty goats, two hundred and twenty sheep, thirty milk-camels ith their colts, forty kine, and ten bulls, twenty she-asses and ten foals. These he divided into five droves, and ordered the drivers of each to tell Esau, as they met him, that it was a present to him. By this means Ile hoped to appease his brother's anger.
(9) Wrestling All Night. Immediately pre ceding his interview with Esau, Jacob passed the night in wrestling with 'a man,' who is after wards recognized as the angel of God, and who at length overcame Jacob by touching the hollow of his thigh. His namc also was on this event changed by the mysterious antagonist into Israel. 'for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed' (Gen. xxxii:28). It is added that on this account his descendants abstained from eating the thigh of slaughtered animals.
(10) Reconciled to Esau. Having crossed the Jabbok, he divided his family into three divisions, that, if Esau murdered the foremost, the others might flee. The two handmaids, and their chil dren, went foremost; Leah and hers next; and Rachel and Joseph last, that she might have most opportunity to get off, if there was danger. Ac cording to Jacob's direction, they all, in the humblest manner, did obeisance to Esau. Partly moved by this deportment, but chiefly by the hand of God, Esau met Jacob with the most tender affection, generously refused his present, because he had much wealth already; but Jacob urged him, because, said he, 'I have everything, and have had the great happiness to meet thee in kindness and love.' So Esau accepted of the present, and they became friends once more.