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The Torah reading for this week is entitled Vayetze, which means “And He Went Out.” It is taken from the book of Genesis 28:10–32:2. In obedience to his father’s command, “Jacob went out from Beersheba and went toward Haran to seek a wife.” He also went out to comply with his mother’s counsel to escape the wrath of his brother Esau. In doing so, Jacob would never see his mother again.
Jacob had traveled a distance when he came to a certain place and stopped for the night. He used a rock for a pillow to lay his head and sleep. That night Jacob dreamed a dream of angels ascending and descending on a stairway on the earth that extended to heaven.
Above the stairway stood Adonai, who said: “I am the Lord, the God of Abraham and Isaac.” Adonai reiterated to Jacob the covenant which He had made with Abraham and Isaac, promising Jacob the land, that his descendants would be as numerous as the dust of the earth, and that through him all the families of the earth would be blessed.
This promise would include the gentiles, as we will see later in Scripture. God also promised to be with Jacob until all was accomplished. The next morning Jacob said, “Surely the Lord is in this place.” Jacob took the stone that was used for his pillow, poured oil on it, and used it as an altar. He then made an oath to Adonai.
Chapter 29: Jacob had reached the end of his long journey. The most remarkable thing about Jacob’s arrival in Haran was the providence of God. Providence led him to a well where he obtained needed information and met Rachel. This may have been the same well where Eliezer found Rebekah for the young Isaac.
When Rachel approached with Laban’s flock, Jacob stepped forward to remove the large stone to provide water for the thirsty sheep. Then he kissed his cousin and told her who he was. Rachel ran to tell Laban that his nephew had arrived.
Rachel was unusually beautiful and attractive; Jacob was quickly smitten by her. Scripture says that Jacob loved Rachel. Jacob agreed to work for Laban seven years for Rachel’s hand in marriage.
After laboring seven years for the younger daughter Rachel, Jacob was deceived and tricked into marriage with the elder sister Leah. On the eve of the wedding, Laban secretly substituted Leah for Rachel. After the wedding festivities, Jacob awakened the next morning to realize that he had lain with Leah. Laban also gave Zilpah, his handmaid, to Leah.
Furious, Jacob agreed again to work another seven years for his beloved Rachel. After Leah’s bridal week was over, Laban gave Rachel to Jacob be his wife. Laban also gave Rachel his handmaid Bilhah.
At first neither Rachel nor Leah bore Jacob children. In those days, to be barren was regarded as a pathetic situation. However, in time, Adonai came to Leah’s rescue and healed her barrenness. Leah would bear four sons one after another: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah. It would be Leah’s son Judah who would be chosen to take his place in the Messianic line.
Chapter 30: Rachel, being barren, gave her handmaid Bilhah to Jacob, and she bore two sons, Dan and Naphtali. Leah reciprocated by giving Zilpah her handmaid, and she bore Gad and Asher. Leah bore two more sons, Issachar and Zebulun. Rachel would finally give birth to her own son, Jacob’s beloved Joseph. Jacob’s family now consisted of eleven sons and one daughter, Dinah, whom Leah bore. Rachel would later give birth to Benjamin.
After Joseph was born, Jacob said to Laban, “Send me away, that I may go to my own country.” Jacob had worked out in full his debt to Laban. Laban didn’t want to lose his valuable servant. Jacob agreed to continue working for Laban under certain conditions. Jacob asked that he be allowed to keep all the speckled and spotted animals from the flock. Jacob then did something clever. Using selective breeding techniques, he made sure that more streaked, speckled, and spotted animals were born. He also made sure that the stronger animals became his, and that the weaker ones went to Laban. Jacob became a very wealthy man!
Chapter 31: The Lord told Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers.” Jacob told Rachel and Leah how the Lord was leading him. Jacob’s wives encouraged him to follow what God told him to do. Jacob knew Laban had deceived him by changing his wages on ten occasions.
It was told to Laban on the third day that Jacob had fled. During his ride to overtake Jacob, God warned Laban not to harm Jacob. After overtaking Jacob, Laban asked, “Why did you slip away secretly? … Why have you stolen my household gods?” Jacob replied that Laban’s dishonesty caused him to leave but insisted that he did not steal Laban’s gods. Both men agreed to an uneasy truce, building a pile of stones to serve as a visible reminder. The next morning Laban kissed his children and departed for his home.
Chapter 32: Jacob went on his way. When he left Beersheba, angels were there. Now on his return, angels were there again. It’s as if they were saying, “You are protected.”
In closing, Jacob’s life reminds us that God is faithful even when our path is uncertain. Like Jacob, we should seek God’s presence, trust His promises, and obey His voice even when it requires sacrifice or waiting. God protected, provided for, guided, and transformed Jacob and He will do the same for those who walk with Him. May we thank, praise, and glorify Him for His faithfulness, and follow Him wherever He leads.