Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-13

INTRODUCTION.-A considerable time
elapsed between the vision studied last
week and the events now to be considered.
Jacob continued his journey from Bethel
until he came into the land Of the east.
There he soon made entrance into the home
of Laban and became employed in the care
of his flocks. Shortly he formed alliances
by taking first Leah and then Rachel. the
two daughters of Laban. as wives, Tor
| which he served seven years each or four
teen years In all. Sons were born and
numerous household gathered. The cattle
Of Jacob also increased rapidly and he be-
came a wealthy and Influential man. The
jealousy Of his father-in-law was excited
and the strained relations made longer stay
in the land undesirable. Besides, the prom
Use and covenant of God were not forgotten,
and Jacob finally resolved by Divine direc-
ton to return to his own country and kim
dred. Our lesson pertains to an event in
that hOmeward journey.
HUMANITY oversees and 1O.-1n the
way Jacob learned Of the approach of his
brother Esau, who had since they departed
became rich. Remembering the alienation
caused by the sale of the birthright, Jacob
attempted a reconciliation by means OF
presents sent on in advance. These were
rejected by Esau and great fear seized the
breast of the brother, who supposed that
mischief was intended. Jacob therefore
humbled himself before God whom he called
the God Of Abraham and Of Isaac" the
God Of the covenant. He rehearsed the
fact that the return was in obedience to the
Divine voice Gen. XxXi13), attended by
pledge of protection, and then declared his
unworthiness The evident purpose was to
cast himself upon Gods mercy, as alone
adequate to his needs. He had gone over
Jordan years before. pilgrim staff In
hand. He was coming again greatly pros
pered, and yet divided into two bands be-
cause Of great danger.
PRAYER oversees IL and 12)-Having
thus cast himself at the feet Of the AL
mighty. undeserving any favor. he then
pleads for help 1t was brief and ear
nest prayer. Deliver me from my
brother. from the hand Of Esau." What
strage request! How the past came for
ward to disturb the present! How the sin
Of other years awakened in him fears Of
evil! All the prosperity that had come In
Haran-the numerous household Of wives.
concubines and sons-were not sufficient
to protect this man in the day of retribu-
ton. Esau had been wronged and he had
sworn to take revenge. Gen., xvii:41) His
opportunity has come. God only can de-
erences to Gods pledge to do him good
and to give him numerous posterity.
Surely, God would not forget his pledge.
Nehes W4ua ne sgeF Rs pna to fa
that prayer Jacob lodged all night with his
retinue in the place where he was. and in
the morning tried again to conciliate his
81. omitted from our study Having thus
done all he could, partly by faith and
prayer. and partly by worldly wisdom.
Jacob advanced, pushing his household
over the ford Jabbok. Two wives, two
men servants, eleven sons passed over.
while he tarried behind. Good strategy
was displayed in these movements. AS
Esau, the injured brother from Edom, ap-
preached, he would first meet the success
sive gifts Of cattle which the servants
would present. After that he would come
to the women and children and the body
servants. All this would tend to soften
the heart concerning Jacob, who was be-
hind all.
WRESTLING oversees "a and 90
There was another and more important
reason that led Jacob to separate himself
from his household and his herds He
would be entirely alone and there on the
hther side Of Jabbok make still more sure
his relations with God. He was not alto
gather satisfied with the results Of his
previous prayer. He would know that the
God whose he was would protect him. All
night In solitude he prayed. There came
at last whether in vision or in material
man, and they struggled together Hos..
xii:4, one seeking to escape and the other
to detain him. In that wrestling Jacobs
thigh was out Of Joint, but he would not
perate was his purpose, SO earnest his de-
sire. The all-night struggle was an I'M
mense trial of faith. displaying the char
acter of him who came to be the father OF
Israel.
RESOLVE (verse 26).-At last as the
early dawn appeared. the heavenly visitor,
the angel, held firmly by the man. cried
Let me CO." That cry proves the victory
already gained. 1t was impossible for one
to depart with the consent Of the other
duke xxiv:29). The human may rise to
level of commanding authority and power
Aman need not be wea kand subject. He
may be strong and mastery. Then came
Jacobs reply, II will not let thee 60. ex-