The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-03-22
SUNDAY MEDITATION
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A Study of the International Sunday
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School Lesson Appointed for April
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|, 1894. 900
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School Lesson Appointed for April
|, 1894. 200
Subject: Jacob and the Angel at Pencil.
Gen, 81: 9-Ie; "a: 80.
study the paragraph from thls Holy Scriptures as
indicated above.I 81"
INTRoDUSrIoN.
1t would be best to make a study of the en-
tire chapter. 1t is a unit
SUBJECT: JACOB AT Pencil.
Jacobs Condition.
In recen. lesson we studied the account of
Jacobs first appearance a Bethel. (28 1922. J
We learned of his dream, stone pillow ladder,
the Angels. He was on way to Padan-aram,
really to escape Esaus wrath, but professedly
for the purpose of securing wife from among
the relatives of Abraham. The date was 1924
A. NJ. Jacob, leaving Bethel, passed on to Me-
sopotamia. He soon fell in with the families
of Haran and Laban. (29:1, 4, 81 At length
Leah, Rachel, ZiIpah and Bilhah become his
wives. Chap. 29.l Leah was mother of Reu-
ben Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar and Zebu-
lun. (29 1926; 80: 1920 Bilhah was mother
of Dan aud Naphtali. go: So Znpah was
begat Joseph (Vs. %, %, pa Thus we find
Jacob with IL sons, all born in MesOpota mia
Years have passed, and it is no wonder he be-
gau "a thiHE Of his father and his old homo in
Canaan, aud quite decided 20 take his family
and property aud return. Laban, however,
made him liberal offers if he would remain in
Padan-aram, aud Jacob accepted the PROPOSE
ton. Abraham's grandson prospered very
greatly, SURPRISING in wealth even Lab&n. The
consequences were jealousy and trouble. Then
God appeared to Jacob and directed him to go
back to Canaan, and the family of the patriarch
fell in with the plan. Knowing Laban would
oppose the separation, Jacob saw he must set
out quietly, and so escape resistance and delay.
After time Jacobs exodus was detected, and
Iaban gathered some forces and resolved to
overtake the fugitives. He caught UP to them
after time and demanded from Jacob his
reason for leaving without taking formal de-
parture, giving him an opportunity to bid good
by to his daughters and grandchildren. 1t was
evident Jacob would not return. Then the two
entered into certain treaties and stipnlations.
Tue spot where the interview took place was
named Jegar- sahadutha, or Called, or Mizpeh.
At length Laban's party and Jacobs separated,
Laban returning to Mesopotamia and Jacob
passing OH toward his home in Canaan.
Conscious he is in the land of Canaan, re-
membering the anger of Esau, he begins to be
apprehensive. To prepare the way and to gain
some lA6a Oh tSau IeellDSS toward HID, he
sends anumber of his company to Edom to in
form his brother he is coming. To make it
more sure he would be received kindly, he in
structs the messengers to tell Esau how pros
porous Jacob has been, how rich he is, what
large body OF servants he has, etc. AS soon as
Esau hears Jacob is OH way back he sets out
with 400 men to meet him. This fact gives
Jacob great fear. He resolv to put on the most
favorable appearance and try, if posi- BILE, to
win the heart of Esau. First of all he wants
TO impress his brother With Il sense OF the great
success which had attended, him in Padan-
aram He thinks wealth viii attract the mind
and engage the heart Of Esau. Had Jacob
turned q cringing pauper the case would have
been very different. Jacob was to become
charge to Esau. dignifea equipage, nu-
merous retenue. good financial status, all these
are rather to be sought ana recognized than
opposed. Jacob is far-seeing enough to utilize
his knowledge of human nature. When one
can make mere gift of that which comes to
hand (32 49, and the present consist of
$50 valuable animals, (Vs. IA, 49, the owner
must be wealthy indeed. Having done all
this to gain the favor of his Brother Jacob feels
still the need of divine assistance, and so be-
takes himself to prayer. Itlwas private prayer.
". "a s'Sea
Time.
We fixed the date of Jacobs departure 1924
A. NJ. From 81: 80, ii we find he was with
Laban empIoye for 20 years. Then ID is
evident he was a separate and independent
owner for some time in Mesopotamia We
generally fix the duration of Jacobs stay in
Padan-aram at 40 years. The date of the pres
ent lesson would then be 1864 A. NJ, or 1910 3.
c. Isaac was 157 years old Jacob and Esau
81. Abraham had been dead 81 years.
The lesson is one of the night scenes Of the
Bible Jacob prayed all night. There was
visible presence of Jehovah, a temporary ma
terializing of Deity. Oar study is a report of
a kind Of encounter between an incarnation of
God aud Jacob.
Place
The Jabbok ". 22) was stream about so
miles long, emptying from the east into the
Jordan about midway between the Sea of Cali
lee and the Dead Sea. PeneI. or Pcnuel, was
on the north side of the Jabbok, about Is miles
from the Jordan The name Peniel means
she face OF God" name given to the place
by Jacob in memory of his experience with the
Angel
II was Interested" says one, in reading a
description of the brook Jabbok as being ex-
ceediugy wild and rocky. In the upper part
of its course, among the highlands, it is dry
bed for half the year. while the lower portion
is always swift, strong current. The borders
of the river are covered with thatches of cane
and oleander. and in the Springtime all ablaze
with bright flowers. Its descent into the Jor-
daIl IS fuII OF pfecp ltouS music. 1t 1aiiS ,2UO
inches iii mile. while the Gauges, with its
current of i've miles hour. falls but four.
Jacob passed over the brook at first all alone.
He wanted to find out the condition of the
brook and see whether it were safe for his COM
pany to pass across it. He returned and had
his wives transferred to the opposite side, he
remaining for a time. Then ". 81 he re-
crossed the river
Verses 9-12.
We have in verses 9-12 the first prayer re-
corded in the Bible As such it is good model.
Proper Inscriptions are given to Deity. The
petitioner is humble. References are made to
Gods promises as bases of the prayer. (2S: -
49, Thanks are rendered for blessings already
received. Works joined to faith. (St.
James, 2: H. Jacob did what he could and
sought God TO supplement-. Faith is apparent.
The petitioner was persistent. Hos, IL: g.
st. Luke, IL: 5-10.) The favor besought in his
prayer was proper one to ask of God, to wit,
help in time of emergency. 1t is always guar
antee of success IN prayer when one seeks aid
i'll the line of any of Gods commands. Hence,
Jacob refers to the direction given him of God
at Padan-aram. God had told Jacob to return
TO Canaan. (F.9 Compare 81: J, 49, 1t must
have seemed hazardous to Jacob to go back and
face his brother. 1t is always safe, however,
to obey God. Then the promise of God that
Jacobs seed should be numerous as the grains
of sand on the sea shores could not prove true
if Esau were suffered Tto slsy Jacob his sons
wives, daughters. We see many facts which
served to stimulate the patriarch to pray.
Abraham was Jacobs graHdfather and Isaac
his father. ". 81 About all Jacob had when
he passed over tho jordan on Way to Padan-