Look up,' he said, 'and see that all the males that are mating with the flock are streaked, spotted, or speckled; for I have seen all that Laban has done to you. Look upThe phrase "look up" is a call to attention and awareness. In Hebrew, the word used here is "nasa," which means to lift or carry. This is not just a physical action but a spiritual one, urging Jacob to lift his eyes from his immediate circumstances and see the divine intervention at work. It is a reminder that God is actively involved in the lives of His people, guiding and providing for them even when they are unaware. and see
The Hebrew word for "see" is "ra'ah," which implies more than just physical sight; it suggests understanding and perceiving with insight. God is inviting Jacob to perceive His hand in the situation, to recognize the fulfillment of His promises. This is a call to faith, to trust in God's provision and plan, even when it is not immediately visible. that all the male goats mating with the flock
This phrase highlights the specific and miraculous nature of God's provision. The male goats, which are crucial for the continuation and growth of the flock, are under God's control. In the ancient Near Eastern context, livestock was a primary measure of wealth and prosperity. God's intervention here is a direct response to Jacob's need and Laban's unjust treatment, ensuring Jacob's prosperity despite human manipulation. are streaked, speckled, and spotted
These specific markings on the goats are significant because they were the agreed-upon wages for Jacob's labor. The Hebrew words used here describe distinct patterns that were less common, making the increase in such animals a clear sign of divine intervention. This serves as a testament to God's faithfulness and His ability to bless His people in ways that defy natural expectations. for I have seen
The phrase "I have seen" is a powerful assurance from God. The Hebrew word "ra'ah" is used again, emphasizing God's awareness and understanding of Jacob's plight. It reassures Jacob that God is not distant or indifferent but is intimately aware of his struggles and injustices. This is a comforting reminder that God sees the injustices His people face and is actively working to rectify them. all that Laban has done to you
This phrase acknowledges the specific wrongs Jacob has suffered at the hands of Laban. It is a reminder that God is just and will not allow wrongdoing to go unnoticed or unaddressed. In the broader biblical narrative, this reflects the theme of divine justice and the assurance that God will ultimately vindicate His people. It encourages believers to trust in God's timing and justice, even when faced with adversity and unfair treatment. Persons / Places / Events 1. JacobThe grandson of Abraham, son of Isaac, and the central figure in this account. He is working for his uncle Laban and is being mistreated. 2. LabanJacob's uncle and father-in-law, who has been deceitful and unfair in his dealings with Jacob, changing his wages multiple times. 3. GodThe divine being who speaks to Jacob in a dream, reassuring him of His presence and justice. 4. Paddan-aramThe region where Jacob is living and working for Laban, located in Mesopotamia. 5. The FlockThe animals that Jacob is tending, which become a symbol of God's provision and justice. Teaching Points God's Awareness and JusticeGod sees the injustices we face and is actively involved in our lives, working to bring about His justice and provision. Divine GuidanceJust as God guided Jacob through dreams, He continues to guide us today through His Word and the Holy Spirit. Faithfulness in AdversityJacob's account encourages us to remain faithful and trust in God's promises, even when circumstances seem unfair or challenging. God's ProvisionThe transformation of the flock symbolizes God's ability to provide for us in unexpected ways, reminding us to trust in His provision. Integrity in RelationshipsDespite Laban's deceit, Jacob maintained his integrity. We are called to uphold our values and trust God to handle injustices. Bible Study Questions 1. How does God's awareness of Jacob's situation encourage you in your current circumstances? 2. In what ways can you seek and recognize God's guidance in your life, similar to how Jacob received guidance through dreams? 3. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's provision in an unexpected way. How did it strengthen your faith? 4. How can you maintain integrity and faithfulness in relationships where you feel wronged or mistreated? 5. What other biblical accounts or characters demonstrate God's justice and provision, and how do they inspire you to trust in God's plan? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 28:12-15This passage describes Jacob's dream at Bethel, where God promises to be with him and bless him. It connects to Genesis 31:12 as a reminder of God's faithfulness and presence in Jacob's life. Exodus 3:7-8God tells Moses that He has seen the affliction of His people in Egypt. This parallels God's awareness of Jacob's situation and His intervention. Psalm 121:3-4This Psalm speaks of God's constant watchfulness over His people, similar to how God is aware of Laban's actions against Jacob. People Aram, Isaac, Jacob, Laban, Leah, Nahor, RachelPlaces Canaan, Euphrates River, Galeed, Gilead, Jegar-sahadutha, Mizpah, Paddan-aramTopics Banded, Behold, Cattle, Coloured, Flock, Goats, Grisled, Grizzled, He-goats, Laban, Leap, Lift, Male, Marked, Mating, Mottled, Rams, Ringstraked, Ring-straked, Ringstreaked, Ring-streaked, Speckled, Spotted, Streaked, StripedDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 31:1-24 5095 Jacob, life Genesis 31:10-13 1409 dream Genesis 31:11-13 4140 angel of the Lord Library Gen. xxxi. 11
Of no less importance and significance is the passage Gen. xxxi. 11 seq. According to ver. 11, the Angel of God, [Hebrew: mlaK halhiM] appears toJacob in a dream. In ver. 13, the same person calls himself the God of Bethel, with reference to the event recorded in chap. xxviii. 11-22. It cannot be supposed that in chap xxviii. the mediation of a common angel took place, who, however, had not been expressly mentioned; for Jehovah is there contrasted with the angels. In ver. 12, we read: "And behold …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old TestamentAppendix xvi. On the Jewish views About Demons' and the Demonised,' Together with Some Notes on the Intercourse Between Jews and Jewish Christians in the First Centuries.
IT is not, of course, our purpose here to attempt an exhaustive account of the Jewish views on demons' and the demonised.' A few preliminary strictures were, however, necessary on a work upon which writers on this subject have too implictly relied. I refer to Gfrörer's Jahrhundert des Heils (especially vol. i. pp. 378-424). Gfrörer sets out by quoting a passage in the Book of Enoch on which he lays great stress, but which critical inquiries of Dillmann and other scholars have shown to be …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah How the Rude in Sacred Learning, and those who are Learned but not Humble, are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 25.) Differently to be admonished are those who do not understand aright the words of the sacred Law, and those who understand them indeed aright, but speak them not humbly. For those who understand not aright the words of sacred Law are to be admonished to consider that they turn for themselves a most wholesome drought of wine into a cup of poison, and with a medicinal knife inflict on themselves a mortal wound, when they destroy in themselves what was sound by that whereby they ought, …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Epistle Xlix. To Anastasius, Bishop of Antioch .
To Anastasius, Bishop of Antioch [35] . Gregory to Anastasius, &c. I received the letters of thy Fraternity, rightly holding fast the profession of the faith; and I returned great thanks to Almighty God, who, when the shepherds of His flock are changed, still, even after such change, guards the faith which He once delivered to the holy Fathers. Now the excellent preacher says, Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Christ Jesus (1 Cor. iii. 2). Whosoever, then, with love of …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great The Great Shepherd
He shall feed his flock like a shepherd; He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. I t is not easy for those, whose habits of life are insensibly formed by the customs of modern times, to conceive any adequate idea of the pastoral life, as obtained in the eastern countries, before that simplicity of manners, which characterized the early ages, was corrupted, by the artificial and false refinements of luxury. Wealth, in those …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 And He had Also this Favour Granted Him. ...
66. And he had also this favour granted him. For as he was sitting alone on the mountain, if ever he was in perplexity in his meditations, this was revealed to him by Providence in prayer. And the happy man, as it is written, was taught of God [1112] . After this, when he once had a discussion with certain men who had come to him concerning the state of the soul and of what nature its place will be after this life, the following night one from above called him, saying, Antony, rise, go out and look.' …
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius A Treatise of the Fear of God;
SHOWING WHAT IT IS, AND HOW DISTINGUISHED FROM THAT WHICH IS NOT SO. ALSO, WHENCE IT COMES; WHO HAS IT; WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS; AND WHAT THE PRIVILEGES OF THOSE THAT HAVE IT IN THEIR HEARTS. London: Printed for N. Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultry, over against the Stocks market: 1679. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom," and "a fountain of life"--the foundation on which all wisdom rests, as well as the source from whence it emanates. Upon a principle …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Meditations for the Morning.
1. Almighty God can, in the resurrection, as easily raise up thy body out of the grave, from the sleep of death, as he hath this morning wakened thee in thy bed, out of the sleep of nature. At the dawning of which resurrection day, Christ shall come to be glorified in his saints; and every one of the bodies of the thousands of his saints, being fashioned like unto his glorious body, shall shine as bright as the sun (2 Thess. i. 10; Jude, ver. 14; Phil. iii. 21; Luke ix. 31;) all the angels shining …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Genesis 31:12 NIVGenesis 31:12 NLTGenesis 31:12 ESVGenesis 31:12 NASBGenesis 31:12 KJV
Genesis 31:12 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
