The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1918-11-16
MPkovED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL
LESSON
By REV. p. B. FITzwATER, d. D..
Teacher of English Bible in the Moody
Bible Institute of Chicago)
Copyright, 1918, Western Newspaper
Union.)
LESSON FOR NOVEMBER II
JACOB FLEEING FROM HIS ANGRY
BROTHER.
LESSON TExT-eenesIs 2s.lO-2s.

a AA0NA ~ N~--N
with us after our sins, nor rewarded us
according to our iniquities .-Psalms 1O3:10.
ADDITIONAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT q:
l6-2S:9.
The motive which moved Rebekah
to send Jacob away was a mixed one.
She realized that Esau's anger was hot
against Jacob, ven to the point where
he was likely to kill him. She further
knew that justice would have to be
melted out to him, and thus she would
be bereft Of them both. Then, too,
she realized that If Jacob remained
in that land he would likely marry a
heather woman and thus defeat Gods
purpose regarding the covenant nation.
This latter she pressed upon Isaac as
q motive for sending him away.
I. Jacobs Flight ". 10Y.
He was fleeing from his outraged
brother. His flight was necessary to
save his life. He seems not to ave
gone the common road, so as to be less
likely overtaken by Esau, should he
pursue him. Through forced march he
reaches Bethel, a spot nearly fifty
miles away, by nightfall.
II. Jacobs Vision wv, HID.
Jacobs soul was peculiarly tested.
He had to leave home and mother. On
the way to Haran night overtakes him,
and he is obliged to sleep in a field
with a stone for his pillow and the
canopy of heaven for a covering. 1t
was under such circumstances that the
Lord gave him the wonderful vision at
Bethel. Many times the rough expert
epces and severe trials of life help us
on toward God. Luxury and heavenly
visions do not usually go together.
This finds illustration in John on Pat
mos; Stephen looking into heaven
while being stoned, and John Bunyan
in Bedford Jail.
1. He saw a ladder reaching from
earth to heaven ". 12).
This suggests q means of communi-
cation between earth and heaven, be-
tween man and God. 1t showed Jacob
that in spite of his awful sin there
was a way to heaven for him. Jesus
Christ is the ladder connecting earth
and heaven for us (John 1:51; IA g
Hebrews 10 10, 20). In the incarna-
ton Jesus Christ descended to earth's
lowest depth and made a way upon
which human feet might climb to
heaven. Fortunate are they who in
the times Of earth's trials discern this
ladder!
2. He saw angels of God upon the
ladder ". 12).
They were ascending and descending
upon this ladder. These angels were
the divine helpers to render needed as
sistance along life's way. Though I'M
seen, Gods angels guide and protect
us on our earthly pilgrimage. They
ascend unto the Father with u needs,
and descend unto US with Gods reply.
Christ is a real man, and so can iden-
tify himself with us; he is the very
God, really divine, and so is able to lift
us to God and cur u reconcilia-
ton with him.
8. He saw the Lord standing above
the ladder wv. 1910.
To show Jacob that the ladder did
not merely reach into space, the per
sonal God appeared and talked with
him. His message is filled with inf,
mite grace. ~ He declared the Goo
of Abraham and Isaac ". 1S),
thus assuring Jacob that the same
hand that guided his fathers was over
him. (2) He renewed the covenant as
to the land ". 13). Though Jacob was
now fleeing from the land, yet the
covenant would not fail, for Jacob an6
his seed should possess 1t. (3) As
sured him Of a numerous seed ". 14).
They would spread abroad to the
north, and south, and east, and west
(4) The divine presence with the wan
dering Jacob ". 15). Though he had
sinned and was reaping what he had
sown, yet God was with him.
III. Jacobs Vow wv. 1929.
Gods gracious visitation provoked
Jacob to make a vow. Each sight Of
God should us to renew our OBJ
legation to him. His vow included three
things: (1) Dedication of himself tt
God ". 12). This is the first thing t.
do. Our gifts are an abomination while
the life is withheld from God. (2) Wor
ship established wv. Is. 19). "Thi:
stone shall be Gods house." Worship
always follows dedication of ones sell
to God. There is personal communion
between God and those who worship
him. (3) Conservation Of his sub
stance, of his possessions ". 22)
Those who have fellowship with Geo
recognize Gods claim upon their pos
sessions. Gods grace should constrair
us to give of our substance to him.