The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1930-07-10
4, Jacobs Birth (25 :21-26).

was given unto him. Before Jacobs
birth God revealed unto Rebekah the
fact that he should have the place Of
pre-eminence. 'The elder shall serve
the younger" In this God reversed
the ordinary law concerning the posi-
ton of the elder son. The act Of TAX
ing hold of Esau's heel as he was
born, indicated Jacobs nature. The
name Jacob means "Supplanter."
II. Jacobs Schemes (25 :27-34; q: l.
29).
L. He secured Esaus birthright
<25 :27-3N.
1t was right for Jacob to have the
birthright since it was according to
Gods plan as revealed to Rebekah,
but his scheme to get it was repre-
hensible. He took advantage of a
brothers weakness to drive sharp
Bargain.
2. Secured his fathers blessing
@27 :1-29). 1) Was requested to get
venison for his father. (2) Rebekah's
scheme wv. 5-33). It was Gods plan
that Jacob should be at the head, but
He did not need the sin Of Jacob and
his mother to bring it about.
1 Ill. Jacobs Flight to Haran (ch. 2S).
Jacobs deceit and cunning got him
into trouble. He was compelled to flee
from his outraged brother. He now
began to reap what he had sown.
| 1. Jacobs vision at Bethel (28 10
15).
Jacob not only had to flee to save
his life, but he had to leave home and
mother. When night overlook him, he
was obliged to sleep in field with a
stone for a pillow. It was under such
circumstances that the Lord gave him
the wonderful vision at Bethel. Q) He
saw a ladder reaching from earth to
heaven ". 12). Jesus Christ is the lad
der, connecting earth and heaven for
us (John l :51). (2) He saw angels Of
God upon the ladder ". 12). These
angels were divine helpers to render
needed assistance along life's way. (3)
The Lord standing above the ladder
wv. 1910. To show Jacob that the
ladder did not reach merely into space
God appeared and talked with him. a..
He declared that He was the God Of
Abraham and of Isaac, thus assuring
Jacob that the same favor that was
over his fathers was over him ". 13).
b. He renewed the covenant as to the
land. Though Jacob was now fleeing
from the land, the covenant would not
fail. ". 13). c. He assured him Of a
numerous seed ". 14). d. The divine
presence with Jacob ". 15). Though
he had sinned, God was with him. e..
Jacob should be brought again into
the land ". 15).
, 2. Jacobs vow wv. 1922.
His vow included three things. (1)
Dedication of himself to God ". 12).
<2) Establishment Of worship wv. 18,
1917. (3) Conservation of his substance
". 22).
~. Jacobs Return to Canaan
Ichaps. 31-33).
1. The Lord instructs him (31 :11-21).
Twenty years have elapsed since
his experiences at Bethel. These years
were spent in Padan-aram with his
mothers people. Here he served Laban
for twenty years. Though it was the
purpose Of God for him to return, he
took clandestine leave Of Laban. Laban
pursued him in anger, but God ap-
peared to Laban and forbade him to
lay hands upon Jacob.
&: 2. Jacob on the way (Gen. 32).
Though Jacob fled from Laban's
pursuit, a more formidable enemy
faced him in the person Of Esau. (1)
Jacob meeting the angels ". u. (2)
Jacob praying wv. 9-12). Not receiv-
ing a reply from Esau, Jacob cast
himself upon God in prayer. (3) The
angel wrestling with Jacob wv. "a
:32). He continued to wrestle until the
approach of morning, not knowing that
it was God in human form wrestling
with him. God humbled him by dis
locating his thigh. When thus hum
bled, he quit wrestling and chung to
God. He got the blessing when he, con-
Scious of his weakness, laid hold upon
God. az A new name ". 2S). He was
no longer Jacob, the "supplanter," but
Israel, "prince of Cod" His new
name was given him after he had a
new nature.
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Finding God