When the flocks were breeding, I saw in a dream that the streaked, spotted, and speckled males were mating with the females. When the flocks were breedingThis phrase sets the scene for a significant moment in Jacob's life. The Hebrew root for "breeding" is "חָרַשׁ" (charash), which can also mean to plow or engrave, suggesting a time of productivity and creation. In the context of Jacob's life, this was a period of divine intervention and blessing. Historically, breeding seasons were crucial for shepherds, as they determined the prosperity of their flocks. This moment underscores God's providence in Jacob's life, ensuring his prosperity despite Laban's attempts to cheat him. I saw in a dream
Dreams in the Bible often serve as a medium for divine communication. The Hebrew word for "dream" is "חֲלוֹם" (chalom), which is frequently used in the Old Testament to denote visions or messages from God. Jacob's dream is a continuation of the divine guidance he has received throughout his life, reminiscent of his earlier dream at Bethel (Genesis 28:12). This highlights the personal relationship between God and Jacob, where God actively participates in guiding and blessing Jacob's journey. that the streaked, spotted, and speckled males
The description of the animals as "streaked, spotted, and speckled" is significant. In Hebrew, these terms are "עָקֹד" (aqod), "נָקֹד" (naqod), and "טָלוּא" (talu), respectively. These specific markings were uncommon, making the increase of such animals a clear sign of divine intervention. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of God using the unlikely or the marginalized to fulfill His purposes. It also reflects the fulfillment of God's promise to bless Jacob, as these marked animals became the basis of his wealth. were mating with the females
The act of mating here is not just a natural process but a divinely orchestrated event. The Hebrew verb "רָבַץ" (ravats) implies lying down or resting, which in this context refers to the animals coupling. This phrase emphasizes God's sovereignty over creation, orchestrating even the natural processes to fulfill His promises. It serves as a reminder of God's control over all aspects of life, ensuring that His plans for His people are accomplished. Persons / Places / Events 1. JacobThe central figure in this passage, Jacob is the grandson of Abraham and the son of Isaac. He is living in Paddan-aram, working for his uncle Laban, and is in the process of building his own wealth and family. 2. LabanJacob's uncle and father-in-law, Laban is a shrewd and often deceitful man who has taken advantage of Jacob's labor for many years. 3. Paddan-aramThe region where Jacob is living and working for Laban. It is located in Mesopotamia, a significant area in the biblical account. 4. The FlocksThe animals that Jacob is tending. The breeding of these flocks is central to Jacob's strategy for increasing his wealth. 5. The DreamA divine revelation given to Jacob, guiding him in how to increase his flocks despite Laban's attempts to cheat him. Teaching Points Divine GuidanceGod often guides His people through unexpected means, such as dreams. We should remain open to His leading in our lives, even when it comes in unconventional ways. Faith and ObedienceJacob's response to the dream demonstrates faith and obedience. We are called to trust God's guidance and act upon it, even when the path is not clear. God's FaithfulnessDespite human deceit and manipulation, God's faithfulness to His promises remains steadfast. We can trust that God will fulfill His promises to us, regardless of the circumstances. Integrity in AdversityJacob's situation with Laban teaches us the importance of maintaining integrity and relying on God's justice, rather than resorting to deceit or manipulation ourselves. God's ProvisionThe increase of Jacob's flocks is a testament to God's provision. We should recognize and give thanks for God's provision in our own lives, trusting Him to meet our needs. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Jacob's dream in Genesis 31:10 demonstrate God's involvement in his life, and how can we seek God's guidance in our own lives today? 2. In what ways does Jacob's experience with Laban challenge us to maintain integrity and trust in God's justice when faced with unfair treatment? 3. How does the concept of divine guidance through dreams in Genesis 31:10 relate to other instances of God speaking through dreams in the Bible? 4. What can we learn from Jacob's reliance on God's revelation rather than his own cunning, and how can this apply to our decision-making processes? 5. How does the account of Jacob's flocks in Genesis 31:10 encourage us to recognize and be thankful for God's provision in our lives? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 28:12-15Jacob's earlier dream at Bethel, where God promises to be with him and bless him. This connection highlights God's ongoing guidance and faithfulness to Jacob. Genesis 30:37-43The context of Jacob's strategy for breeding the flocks, showing his reliance on God's revelation rather than mere human cunning. Job 33:14-16This passage speaks of God speaking to people through dreams, reinforcing the idea that God communicates His will and guidance through dreams. Proverbs 16:9This verse emphasizes that while humans plan their ways, it is the Lord who directs their steps, aligning with how God directed Jacob's actions through the dream. People Aram, Isaac, Jacob, Laban, Leah, Nahor, RachelPlaces Canaan, Euphrates River, Galeed, Gilead, Jegar-sahadutha, Mizpah, Paddan-aramTopics Ardour, Banded, Behold, Cattle, Coloured, Conceive, Conceived, Conceiving, Dream, During, Flock, Flocks, Goats, Grisled, Grizzled, He-goats, Joined, Leaped, Lift, Lifted, Male, Marked, Mating, Mottled, Pass, Rams, Ringstraked, Ring-straked, Ringstreaked, Ring-streaked, Season, She-goats, Speckled, Spotted, Streaked, StripedDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 31:1-24 5095 Jacob, life Genesis 31:10-13 1409 dream 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 31:10 NIVGenesis 31:10 NLTGenesis 31:10 ESVGenesis 31:10 NASBGenesis 31:10 KJV
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