The Tupelo journal., 1907-04-12
sEAsslkssE
O GIVES JACOB
A NEW NAME
Sunday School Lesson for April IA, 1907
Specially prepared for this paper

GOLDEN TEXT.-'Rejoice. because
your names are written in heaven
Luke 1920.
TlME.-Jacob went to Padan-aram
about 1850 B. c., when he was about 81
years old. Perhaps the best authorities
consider that he was in Laban's service
for 20 years; but others. finding too little
space in 20 years for all the recorded
events, reckon it 40 years, understanding
the 40 years twice mentioned in Gen.
31:3S-41 to be two periods of 20 years each.
See Excursus on the chronology in En-
licott.
PLACE.-The Jabbok (the modern
Wady Zerka) is one of the principal riv-
ers of eastern Palestine. 1t flows into
the Jordan from the east nearly opposite
the city of Samaria. Pencil or Penuel
was probably a prominent ridge near
the Jabbok. "-George Adam Smith.
Comment and Suggestive Thought.
Hints from Haran.-Jacob was ~
years or more in Haran. During that
time he had a good opportunity to
learn thoroughly a number OF impor'
tant lessons; among them these:
/. That tricksters are likely to get
tricked in their turn.
2. That God can and will bring
prosperity to any child of his without
the aid of sharp practice on the part
of the man whom God helps.
3. That Gods promises are to be re
lied upon implicitly, no matter how cir
cumstances may seem to be opposing
the fulfillment of them.
4. That Gods law assigns one wife
to one husband, and that any infringe
ment of that law brings only unhappi
ness.
Jacobs Troubled Conscience.-Gen
32:1-23. Jacob had accomplished 8
large part of his journey and was in
the northern part of the land of Gileao
when the angry Laban overlook him
From there he proceeded southwark
and soon came to Mahanaim in Gilead
where he had his second comforting
vision of angels-two hosts of them as
his guards on either hand-and from
the two hosts he named the place.
v. %. "And he rose up that night
This praying and the disposal of the
caravan across the Jabbok must have
carried Jacob well into the night. And
then, in his loneliness, in the darkness
the uncertainty, the great anxiety fol
himself, his loved ones, and the fruits
of his long toll, Jacobs conscience
that had gone to sleep during the two
decades in Mesopotamia, woke up with
a start.
An Aroused Conscience.-Some men
seek to quiet their consciences, which
is like buying an alarm clock and then
smothering it's sound in a feather pill
low.
1t would be as foolish to pull up all
the danger signals where people are
skating on the ice, or smash all the
red lights in the semaphores.
What a strange thing is an old
dead sin, laid away in a secret drawer
of the soul! Must it some time or
other be moistened with tears, until
it comes to life again, and begins tc
stir in our consciousness, as the dry
wheat animalcule, looking like a grain
of dust, becomes alive if it is wet with
a drop of water?"-Holmes. That is
just what happened to Jacob.
"WrestIing in Prayer."-This strange
event is often used as a model for our
prayers, and rightly, if the terrible
earnestness of that midnight struggle
is alone considered. We are to come
boldly unto the throne of grace" with
all perseverance" IF you don't want
a thing, don't ask for it. Such asking
is the worst mockery of your King you
can insult him with."-Ruskin. We
are to pray as Luther prayed in great
earnestness by the bedside of the
dying Melancthon for an hour, and re-
turned home, when the recovery of the
reformer for his splendid later years
was assured, saying to his wife, God
gave me my brother Melancthon back
in answer to prayer"
Jacobs Reconciliation with Esau.-
Genesis 33. Jacob must have been
wonderfully strengthened in spirit,
struggle, and his fears must have
given place to a great peace. Never.
theless, he continued his wise prepare.
lions to meet Esau. He arranged his
family, putting in the rear, as the
safest place, those whom he most
loved, Rachel and Joseph. Then he
manfully went forward alone to meet
his wronged brother. Seven times he
bowed to the ground before Esau, as if
acknowledging the superiority which
he had stolen from him; but if Esau
had come in anger, the sight of Jacob
seemed to bring back the happier
period of their innocent boyhood. I'M
petuously the injured brother ran to
meet him, and in an eager embrace as
sured him of forgiveness. Esau even
offered generously to return Jacobs
present, but was prevailed upon to
keep it. He urged Jacob to accept an
armed escort, but this was firmly re-
fused, perhaps with a lingering suspic-
ion of his brother, but more likely be-
cause Jacob now felt God to be sufi-
Gent protection. Jacob speedily found
a good place for winter quarters, and
established himself in peace
1. IF you fear God and believe that
he is with you, God will prosper your
plans and labor; but never make that
an excuse for saying in you hearts,
like Jacob, God intends that l should
have these good things; therefore
may take them for myself by unfair
means The birthright is yours. 1t is
you, the steady, prudent, God-fearing
ones who will procDar on tho oortb
and not poor, wild, hot-headed Esau.
2. GOD ees in every Jacob more
than Jacob sees in himself."-Joseph