If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me, surely by now you would have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen my affliction and the toil of my hands, and last night He rendered judgment." If the God of my fatherThis phrase emphasizes the personal and covenantal relationship Jacob has with God, who is not just a distant deity but the God of his lineage. The Hebrew word for "God" here is "Elohim," which signifies power and might. The reference to "my father" underscores the continuity of faith from Isaac to Jacob, highlighting the importance of generational faithfulness in the biblical narrative. the God of Abraham
By invoking "the God of Abraham," Jacob is recalling the covenant promises made to his grandfather, Abraham. This phrase ties Jacob's current situation to the broader narrative of God's faithfulness and the unfolding of His promises. Abraham is often seen as the father of faith, and this reference serves to remind us of the enduring nature of God's covenant. the Fear of Isaac
This unique title for God, "the Fear of Isaac," is intriguing. The Hebrew word "Pachad" is used here, which can mean fear, reverence, or awe. It suggests a deep respect and acknowledgment of God's power and holiness. For Isaac, God was not only a protector but also a figure of reverence, indicating a relationship built on both love and respect. had not been with me
Jacob acknowledges God's presence in his life, which has been a source of protection and blessing. The phrase implies that without God's intervention, Jacob's circumstances would have been dire. This reflects the biblical theme of God's providence and the belief that God is actively involved in the lives of His people. surely by now you would have sent me away empty-handed
Jacob is addressing Laban, his father-in-law, and highlighting the injustice he would have faced without God's intervention. The phrase "empty-handed" signifies loss and injustice, which Jacob was spared from due to divine protection. This underscores the biblical principle that God is a defender of the oppressed. But God has seen my affliction
Here, Jacob acknowledges God's awareness of his suffering. The Hebrew word for "affliction" is "oni," which conveys a sense of misery or poverty. This phrase reassures believers that God is not indifferent to their struggles but is compassionate and attentive to their needs. and the toil of my hands
Jacob refers to his hard work and labor, which God has observed. The word "toil" suggests strenuous effort and perseverance. This highlights the biblical value of diligence and the belief that God honors and rewards honest labor. and He last night rendered judgment
This phrase indicates a divine intervention where God acted as a judge to rectify the situation. The word "judgment" in Hebrew is "mishpat," which implies justice and fairness. This serves as a reminder that God is just and will ultimately vindicate those who are wronged. Persons / Places / Events 1. JacobThe grandson of Abraham, son of Isaac, and the central figure in this passage. He is speaking to Laban, his father-in-law, about the injustices he has faced. 2. LabanJacob's father-in-law, who has repeatedly deceived and exploited Jacob during his stay in Paddan-aram. 3. God of AbrahamRefers to the covenantal God who made promises to Abraham, Jacob's grandfather, and is a central figure in Jacob's life and protection. 4. Fear of IsaacA unique title for God, emphasizing the reverence and awe Isaac had for God, highlighting the personal relationship and covenantal faithfulness. 5. Paddan-aramThe region where Jacob lived with Laban and worked for him, enduring hardship and deceit. Teaching Points God's Faithfulness in TrialsJacob's acknowledgment of God's presence and protection reminds us that God is faithful to His promises, even in the midst of trials and injustices. The Importance of ReverenceThe title "Fear of Isaac" underscores the importance of reverence and awe in our relationship with God, recognizing His power and faithfulness. God Sees and ActsJust as God saw Jacob's affliction and intervened, He is aware of our struggles and works on our behalf, often in ways we may not immediately see. Trust in God's JusticeJacob's experience teaches us to trust in God's justice, knowing that He will ultimately vindicate and provide for those who are wronged. Covenantal RelationshipThe reference to the God of Abraham and Isaac highlights the importance of understanding our relationship with God as part of a larger covenantal account. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Jacob's experience with Laban reflect the challenges we face in trusting God's promises during difficult times? 2. In what ways can we cultivate a reverent "fear of God" similar to Isaac's, and how might this impact our daily lives? 3. How does the concept of God seeing and responding to our afflictions provide comfort and assurance in your current circumstances? 4. What are some practical ways we can remind ourselves of God's faithfulness and justice when we feel wronged or mistreated? 5. How does understanding our place in God's covenantal account with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob influence our identity and purpose as Christians today? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 28:13-15God's promise to Jacob at Bethel, assuring him of His presence and protection, which is fulfilled in Genesis 31:42. Exodus 3:6God identifies Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, reinforcing the continuity of His covenantal relationship with the patriarchs. Psalm 34:15-19Speaks of God's awareness of the righteous' afflictions and His deliverance, paralleling Jacob's experience of God's intervention. Hebrews 11:9-10Highlights the faith of the patriarchs, including Jacob, who trusted in God's promises despite their circumstances. | Jacob At Haran | W. Roberts. | Genesis 31:22-42 | | Laban | M. Dods, D. D. | Genesis 31:22-42 | | Laban's Expostulation with Jacob, and Jacob's Defence | T. H. Leale. | Genesis 31:22-42 | | Lessons | G. Hughes, B. D., J. C. Gray. | Genesis 31:22-42 | | Lessons | G Hughes, B. D. | Genesis 31:22-42 | | Lessons | G. Hughes, B. D. . | Genesis 31:22-42 | | Lessons | G. Hughes, B. D. . | Genesis 31:22-42 | | Lessons | G. Hughes, B. D. . | Genesis 31:22-42 | | Lessons | G. Hughes, B. D. . | Genesis 31:22-42 | | Lessons | G. Hughes, B. D. . | Genesis 31:22-42 | | Lessons | G. Hughes, B. D. | Genesis 31:22-42 | | The Years of Servitude | E. Craig. | Genesis 31:22-42 |
People Aram, Isaac, Jacob, Laban, Leah, Nahor, RachelPlaces Canaan, Euphrates River, Galeed, Gilead, Jegar-sahadutha, Mizpah, Paddan-aramTopics Affliction, Empty, Empty-handed, Except, Fear, Hadst, Handed, Hands, Hardship, Isaac, Judged, Judgment, Kept, Labor, Labour, Nothing, Rebuked, Rendered, Reproveth, Surely, Toil, Troubles, Unless, Wouldest, YesternightDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 31:42 1245 God of the fathers
5156 hand Genesis 31:36-42 5095 Jacob, life
8716 dishonesty, examples Genesis 31:38-42 5569 suffering, hardship Genesis 31:39-42 5685 fathers, responsibilities Genesis 31:40-42 5523 servants, good 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 31:42 NIVGenesis 31:42 NLTGenesis 31:42 ESVGenesis 31:42 NASBGenesis 31:42 KJV
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