Bible Studies

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Obedience
Chapter 34 is a cascade of horrors. If God chose two of Jacob’s sons to assure that there was no mixing with the Canaanites, this was surely a rough way to accomplish it. And yet it’s not altogether surprising that Jacob’s family acted this way, given their father’s history. Jacob’s encounter with God at Bethel, with the angel at Peniel, his life experiences with Esau, Laban, wives and children, and the maturing of his years – all of these failed to produce either compassion or sound judgment. Jacob’s attitude makes you want to reach across the ages and cry:
“Jacob, didn’t you know that raising children is more important than raising sheep?
Jacob, can’t you see that those you’ve raised are as deceitful as you are?
Jacob, didn’t you know that safety in God is more important than safety in numbers?
Jacob, don’t you know that trusting God means obedience now and not obedience later?
Jacob, do you not know how to repent?”
Questions like this can be asked and should be asked in any life. Are we picking on Jacob? Yes, that’s God’s intent in bringing us this story, to learn from the mistakes of others. Jacob’s mistake is that his encounters with God never led to action. In chapter 28 he expressed awe at his vision and the place, but then made a vow which grew cold. In chapter 32 Jacob was honored to wrestle with a Man and receive a new divinely-ordained name, and soon went back to business as usual. Jacob was never more right when he said “I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant.” None of us is that worthy, but at that moment Jacob should have listened to his conscience and asked God for help in conforming his life to God’s will, every day. Would this involve self-denial, inconvenience, fewer sheep, and more time in prayer? Yes, it could mean these things, and it could also mean more time with children, greater family and community harmony, and many more treasures in heaven. Jacob and we need to remember daily who is the master and who is the servant and act accordingly.

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