The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1901-09-12
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
for September Is. I9O1-Jaceb.
Prince with God.
THE LESSON TENT.
.C,aSiS 9D.Sl -nA

Of the day.
2o. And when he saw that he prevailed
bet against him, he touched the hollow OF
his thigh: and the hollow OF Jacobs thigh
was out OF joint. as he wrsstled with HIM.
Is. And he said. Let me go. FOR the day
breaketh. And he said, l will not let thee
so except thou bless me.
2. And hs said unto him. What Is thy
name? And hc said, Jacob
2S. And he said. Thy name shall be called
no more Jacob, but Israel; for as prince
hast thou power with God and with men
and hast prevailed.
~. And Jacob asked him, aRd said, Tell
me, l pray thee. thy name. And he said
wherefore Is II that thou dost ask after my
name? And he blessed him there.
~. AND Jacob ca..ed the name OF the place
Psniek, for have seen God face to face,
and my life is preserved.
golden lEAT.-Mcn ought always
to pray and not to faint.-Lu.e 1871.
jacobs Marriage.-rhe story of ia.
cob's love for Rachel shows Jacobs
character at its best and Laban's at
its worst. Jacob was evidently man
OF energy, as is shown by his conver-
sation with the shepherds at the well
and his prompt otier to serve for his
bride. His service was valuable to
Laban, and that fact had quite as
much TO do with the deception which
forced Leah upon Jacob as the Gus
tom which was alleged as excuse for
the fraud.
jacobs FamiIy.-The II sons and
one daughter who were born to Ja-
cob seemed to him as much tokens
OF prosperity as the increase in his
possessions which took place later.
But the story reveals a jealousy be-
tween Jacobs wives and a low idea
of the sanctity of marriage such as
always go with polygamy.
Jacobs Prosperity.-lssac and Esau
were still living in Canaan, and Ja-
cob could not well go back without
property to maintain his family. So
he was ready to accept Labans prop
osition that he remain longer. The
schemes he adopted for increa sing his
own tlocks we're in accordance with
the letter of the contract but were of
course close to the verge of dishon-
esty.
Jacobs Flight.-The jealousy of La
ban and his sons was evident to Ja-
cob, but it would have been as dan
gerous for him to propose going as it
was to remain. The departure was
made when Laban was absent; but
Jacob, travelling with his family and
hocks, could not escape pursuit. The
brethren" whom Laban took with
him (31:23) were probably a consider
able number of armed men, sufficient
to overpower Jacob. Their intention
to force Jacob to return was changed
by Laban's dream (31:24. The terra
phim were images to which were at
tributed semidiyine character,
though they were not classed as idols
in the ordinary sense. The watching
by Jehovah for which they prayed
was not as sacred seal upon friend
ship, but was to prevent their wrong
ing each other while apart.
Jacobs Presents to Esau.-Jacob's
fear in returning to Canaan was that
Esau might still seek vengeance. This
fear was increased by the news that
Esau was coming to meet his brother
Jacobs Wrestling. - Despite the
care with which Jacob had made his
arrangements to placate Esau and to
save as much as possible if attacked.
he felt nervous and uneasy, and after
settling down for the night started up
~ in, nynl bic 70 ilu ha
Jabbok. The "man" who wrestled with
him was not recognized at once as a
supernatural visitant, but very likely
seemed to Jacob robber or an as
sassin sent by Esau. Jacobs wrestling
was a desperate struggle for his life.
1t was only after n contest lasting al
most all night that the wrestler
touched Jacobs thigh and made him
lame. From that time Jacob clung to
the other for support. and when the
unknown wished to depart because
the day was at hand Jacob perceived
that it was heavenly messenger with
whom he had been struggling. Then
came his petition for blessing, and
in this petition, determined as it was,
we find the reason for his prevailing.
Hosea G2:3, ~ gives hint of this
truth when he says: "1n his manhood
he had power with God; yea, he had
power over the angel, and prevailed;
he wept, and made supplication unto
him" The change Of Jacobs name
was the token of his success. II was
not the persistent striving, but the
clinging and the prayer that had given
him the victory. The name for which
Jacob asked was unspeakably sacred.
God Himself had been face to face with
the patriarch, as Jacob recognized in
naming the place. The blessing Jacob
received was not merely the escape
from Esau's vengeance. which had
been the first object of his prayers. 1t
included also something which may be
described as new birth.
HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS.
Prayer is great refuge in time of
trouble. God can help us when we can
not help ourselves.
True prayer for help is followed by
ones best efforts to help himself. God
helps through them.
When Gods spirit strives with men
that 4bpy may rpnpiva crraat