The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1907-04-11
; GOD GIVES JACOB
A NEW NAME

Specially prepared for this paper.

LESSON TExT-Gen. 82:s-12, 22-so; men,
GOLDEN TEXT.-"Rejoice, because
your names are written in heaven
Luke 1920
TIME.-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 II 40 years. understanding
the 30 years. twice mentioned in Gen.
U:3s-n to be two periods of % years each.
See Excursus on the chronology in FL
licott.
PLACB.-The Jabbok the modern
Wady zerka) 10 one Of the principal riv-
srs OF eastern Palestine. II flows into
the Jordan from the east nearly opposite
the city of Samaria. Peniel or Tenuel
was probably a prominent ridge near
the Jabbok."-George Adam Smith.
Comment and Suggestive Thought.
HInts from Hsran.-Jacob was 20
years or more in Haran. During that
time he had a good opportunity to
learn thoroughly number of impor-
tant lessons among them these
1. That tricksters are likely to get
tricked in their turn.
oOu can anu Will OTlUb
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 q
large part Of his journey and was In
the northern part OF the land of Gilead
when the angry Laban overlook him.
From there he proceeded southward
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. 20. "And no 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 for
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 Consc cience.-Some men
seek to quiet their consciences, which
is like buying an alarm clock and then
smothering its 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 1t some time or
other be moistened with tears, until
1t comes to life again, and begins to
stir in our consciousness, as the dry
wheat animalcule, looking like a grain
Of dust, becomes alive If 1t is wet with
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 1t. 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 Reconc iliation with Esau.-
Genesis 33. Jacob must have been
wonderfully strengthened in spirit,
though worn In body, by his midnight
struggle, and his fears must have
given place to great peace. Never
theless. he continued his wise prepara.
tions to meet Esau He arranged his
family, putting In the rear, as the
safest place, those whom ne 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 II
acknowledging the superiority which
he had stolen from him. but II 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 1t. He urged Jacob to accept an
armed escort. but this was firmly re-
fused. perhaps with lingering suspic-
ion Of his brother. but more likely be-
cause Jacob now felt God to be suffi-
| Client protection. Jacob speediiy found