Now while Laban was out shearing his sheep, Rachel stole her father's household idols. Now while Laban was out shearing his sheepThis phrase sets the scene for the events that follow, indicating a time when Laban was preoccupied. The act of shearing sheep was a significant event in ancient pastoral societies, often involving many workers and a festive atmosphere. It was a time of harvest and celebration, which might explain why Laban was distracted. The Hebrew word for "shearing" (גָּזַז, gazaz) implies a cutting or removal, symbolically foreshadowing the severing of ties between Jacob's family and Laban. This context highlights the providential timing of God, allowing Jacob's family to leave without immediate pursuit. Rachel stole her father’s household idols
The act of stealing the "household idols" (Hebrew: תְּרָפִים, teraphim) is significant both culturally and spiritually. Teraphim were small figurines or images used in domestic worship, often associated with inheritance rights and protection. Rachel's theft indicates a complex relationship with her father's beliefs and possibly a desire for security or legitimacy in her new life with Jacob. From a conservative Christian perspective, this act can be seen as a lack of faith in God's provision and protection, as Rachel resorts to taking tangible symbols of power and blessing. Theologically, it underscores the tension between the worship of the one true God and the idolatrous practices of surrounding cultures. Rachel's actions serve as a reminder of the persistent struggle against idolatry and the call to trust solely in God's sovereignty and provision. Persons / Places / Events 1. LabanRachel's father, a man known for his deceitful behavior, who was away shearing his sheep during this event. 2. RachelThe wife of Jacob, who took her father's household idols, indicating a complex relationship with her family and their beliefs. 3. Household Idols (Teraphim)Small idols used in ancient Near Eastern households, often associated with inheritance rights and family gods. 4. Sheep ShearingA significant event in ancient times, often involving a festive atmosphere, which provided Rachel the opportunity to steal the idols. 5. Paddan-aramThe region where Laban lived and where this event took place, highlighting the cultural and religious practices of the area. Teaching Points Understanding IdolatryRecognize that idolatry is not just about physical idols but anything that takes the place of God in our lives. Family InfluenceAcknowledge the powerful influence of family traditions and beliefs, and the need for discernment in following God's ways. Courage to ChangeBe willing to confront and change inherited practices that do not align with biblical teachings. God's SovereigntyTrust in God's plan and timing, even when circumstances seem to be driven by human deceit or manipulation. Spiritual CleansingRegularly examine our lives for any 'idols' that may have crept in, and commit to spiritual purity and devotion to God alone. Bible Study Questions 1. What might have motivated Rachel to steal her father's household idols, and how does this reflect on her spiritual state? 2. How does the act of stealing the idols relate to the broader theme of idolatry in the Bible, and what lessons can we learn from this? 3. In what ways can family traditions and beliefs impact our faith journey, and how can we ensure they align with biblical truth? 4. How does the concept of idolatry in Genesis 31:19 connect with the New Testament teachings on idolatry, such as in Colossians 3:5? 5. What steps can we take to identify and remove 'idols' in our own lives, ensuring that God remains our primary focus? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 35:2-4Jacob later instructs his household to get rid of foreign gods, showing a move towards monotheism and purity in worship. Joshua 24:2References the idolatrous practices of the ancestors, including those from beyond the Euphrates, which would include Laban's family. 1 Samuel 15:23Compares rebellion and stubbornness to idolatry, emphasizing the seriousness of idol worship. Hosea 3:4Speaks of Israel's future without king, prince, sacrifice, or idols, pointing to a time of purification. Colossians 3:5Encourages believers to put to death earthly nature, including idolatry, which is equated with greed. People Aram, Isaac, Jacob, Laban, Leah, Nahor, RachelPlaces Canaan, Euphrates River, Galeed, Gilead, Jegar-sahadutha, Mizpah, Paddan-aramTopics Belonged, Cutting, Father's, Flock, Gods, Household, Idols, Images, Laban, Rachel, Secretly, Shear, Sheep, Stealeth, Stole, Stolen, Teraphim, WoolDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 31:19 4684 sheep
5277 criminals
5555 stealing
5568 suffering, causes
7384 household gods
8716 dishonesty, examples Genesis 31:1-24 5095 Jacob, life 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 31:19 NIVGenesis 31:19 NLTGenesis 31:19 ESVGenesis 31:19 NASBGenesis 31:19 KJV
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