Thus God has taken away your father's livestock and given them to me. Thus GodThe phrase "Thus God" underscores the divine intervention and sovereignty of God in the affairs of men. In Hebrew, the word for God here is "Elohim," which emphasizes His power and might. This introduction sets the stage for understanding that the events that transpired were not merely by human effort or chance but were orchestrated by God Himself. It reflects the biblical theme that God is actively involved in the lives of His people, guiding and providing for them according to His will. has taken away
The Hebrew root for "has taken away" is "natsal," which can mean to snatch away, deliver, or rescue. This conveys the idea that God actively intervened to remove the livestock from Laban's possession. It suggests a divine act of justice or retribution, as Laban had previously deceived Jacob. This action by God is a reminder of His justice and His ability to protect and provide for His chosen ones, even when they face deceit and hardship. your father’s livestock
The reference to "your father’s livestock" highlights the personal and familial nature of the conflict between Jacob and Laban. Livestock in ancient times was a primary measure of wealth and prosperity. By taking Laban's livestock, God was not only providing for Jacob but also demonstrating His power over material wealth. This serves as a reminder that true prosperity and blessing come from God, not from human schemes or manipulations. and given them to me
The phrase "and given them to me" emphasizes the transfer of wealth and blessing from Laban to Jacob. The Hebrew word for "given" is "nathan," which means to bestow or grant. This indicates that the wealth Jacob acquired was a gift from God, not something he achieved solely through his own efforts. It reflects the biblical principle that God is the ultimate source of all blessings and that He can redistribute resources according to His purposes. This transfer also signifies God's favor upon Jacob, affirming the covenant promises made to Abraham and Isaac, which are now being fulfilled in Jacob's life. Persons / Places / Events 1. JacobThe grandson of Abraham, son of Isaac, and the central figure in this passage. He is recounting how God has blessed him by transferring wealth from Laban to him. 2. LabanJacob's father-in-law, who had deceived Jacob multiple times. Laban represents the worldly and deceitful practices that often oppose God's plans. 3. GodThe divine being who intervenes in Jacob's life, ensuring that His covenant promises are fulfilled despite human deceit. 4. LivestockThe wealth of the time, representing God's provision and blessing. The transfer of livestock signifies God's justice and favor towards Jacob. 5. Paddan-aramThe region where Jacob lived with Laban, a place of both blessing and trial for Jacob. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in ProvisionGod is in control of all resources and can redistribute wealth according to His will. Trust in His provision, even when circumstances seem unfair. Integrity in AdversityJacob's account encourages believers to maintain integrity and faithfulness, trusting that God will vindicate and bless them in His time. Divine JusticeGod's justice may not always be immediate, but it is certain. He sees the wrongs done to His people and will act on their behalf. Faith in God's PromisesJust as God fulfilled His promises to Jacob, believers can have confidence that God will fulfill His promises to them. God's FaithfulnessReflect on how God has been faithful in your life, providing and protecting you in ways you may not have initially recognized. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Jacob's experience with Laban challenge or encourage you in your current work or family relationships? 2. In what ways have you seen God provide for you in unexpected ways, similar to how He provided for Jacob? 3. How can you apply the principle of maintaining integrity in the face of deceit or unfair treatment in your own life? 4. What other biblical accounts illustrate God's justice and provision, and how do they reinforce the lessons from Genesis 31:9? 5. How can you cultivate a deeper trust in God's sovereignty and provision in your daily life, especially when facing challenges? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 30:25-43This passage provides the background to Genesis 31:9, detailing how Jacob's flocks increased through God's intervention, despite Laban's attempts to cheat him. Exodus 12:35-36Similar to how God enabled the Israelites to plunder the Egyptians, God ensures that Jacob leaves Laban with great wealth. Psalm 75:6-7This Psalm speaks of God as the one who promotes and demotes, reflecting His sovereign control over human affairs, as seen in Jacob's account. James 1:17This verse reminds us that every good and perfect gift is from above, emphasizing that Jacob's prosperity was a gift from God. People Aram, Isaac, Jacob, Laban, Leah, Nahor, RachelPlaces Canaan, Euphrates River, Galeed, Gilead, Jegar-sahadutha, Mizpah, Paddan-aramTopics Cattle, Father's, Livestock, Substance, Taketh, ThusDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 31:1-24 5095 Jacob, life Genesis 31:6-9 5253 cheating 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 31:9 NIVGenesis 31:9 NLTGenesis 31:9 ESVGenesis 31:9 NASBGenesis 31:9 KJV
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