CHAPTER XXVIII.

I. Jacob goes into Mesopotamia, by his father Isaac's command, to marry into the family of Laban, his mother's brother. II. God, in the night, appears to him on the way, in the vision of a ladder which reached from earth to heaven, and promises to bless him; for which Jacob expressed his gratitude, by worshipping God in that place, and making a vow to give him the tenth of all that he should possess.

Reflections.

THE command which Isaac gave his son Jacob, to go into Mesopotamia, there to take a wife, and the prayers he offered up for success in his journey, are proofs of the piety of that holy patriarch, and of his firm confidence in the promises of God. The effect of Isaac's prayers appeared in what happened to Jacob as soon as he was set out for Mesopotamia, and particularly in the vision of the ladder, which he saw in a dream, to assure him that God would be with him wherever he went. This example shows, that the Lord is present with his children wherever they are, and that he employs his angels for their security and defence. Let us next acknowledge the piety of Jacob, who asked of God, only bread to eat, and clothes to cover him; and who vowed to consecrate to God the place where he had seen the vision, and the tenth of all his substance. Let us imitate so great an example; let us be contented if God gives us food and raiment; and let us make it an indispensable duty to devote to him some part of our substance, to show, by this, as by every other means in our power, our piety and gratitude.

CHAPTER XXIX.

Jacob comes to his uncle Laban, and marries his two daughters, Leah and Rachel.

Reflections.

THE chief thing to be observed in this chapter is,

that God, according to his promises, accompanied Jacob in his journey, and brought him safely to the house of Laban, where he married, and by that means gave him several children, who were heads and fathers of the people of Israel. Nevertheless, it must be remembered, that the marriages of Jacob, who had several wives together, being contrary to the first institution of marriage, God did not approve of them, though he tolerated them, for reasons resulting from the nature of the men of those times, and from the designs of his providence; wherefore those irregularities have since been abolished by the law of Jesus Christ, who has entirely restored the laws of marriage and of chastity, as we see in the Gospel.

CHAPTER XXX.

I. MOSES mentions the birth of the children which Jacob had by his wives. II. After Jacob had lived several years with Laban his father-in-law, he would have returned into his own country; but Laban prevailed upon him to stay still longer with him, for wages which he agreed to give him.

Reflections.

I. UPON this, as well as the foregoing chapter, it must be observed, that the great number of children born to Jacob served to make his posterity exceeding numerous; though God did not approve all the marriages he had contracted, as was before observed. The jealousy and divisions between Jacob's wives, as well as the great irregularities of most of his children, are a sufficient proof that those marriages were attended with very bad consequences. II. Observe, secondly, that though Laban meant Jacob no good, but evil, and kept him only for his own interest; God blessed Jacob still more than before, and increased his substance and his flocks exceedingly. The means which Jacob made use of to increase his cattle would not have been lawful, had

not God, to reward him for the unjust treatment he received from Laban, given him authority so to do, as we learn in the following chapter. God, to bring about his purposes, sometimes permits men to make use of means, which would not be innocent in other circumstances; he brings good out of evil, and makes even sin contribute to the execution of his designs: but this by no means gives us authority to do any thing that is bad. And Christians especially, who are much more enlightened men than were in the times of the patriarchs, ought never to depart from the most exact rules of piety, purity, and justice.

CHAPTER XXXI.

I. Jacob, having lived twenty years with Laban his father-in-law, returns to Canaan, by God's command, with his family and all his substance, without acquainting Laban with it. II. Laban, being informed of it, pursues him, but God suffered him not to do Jacob any hurt; so that he let him go in peace, and even made a covenant with him.

Reflections.

THIS history presents us with the following observations: I. That God blessed Jacob with great riches, in the house of Laban, as he had promised him. II. That God commanded Jacob to return into the land of Canaan, which he was to inherit, having beforehand prepared him to leave Mesopotamia, by the unjust and cruel treatment of Laban. III. That Laban, enraged at the departure of Jacob, pursued him at first with a full intent to do him some injury; but, God forbidding him to hurt Jacob, they were reconciled, and made a covenant together. Thus God blesses those he loves; thus he guides and preserves them from the dangers that threaten them, and turns the hearts of their enemies in their favour. Let it be observed further, that Rachel,

when she left her father's house, took with her the idols which were in the house; for which Laban reproached Jacob very severely. This shows, that though the true God was known in the family of Laban, idolatry began to get ground; and therefore it was necessary Jacob and his family should leave that country, and return to the place where Isaac his father lived, to worship God with purity.

CHAPTER XXXII.

I. Jacob, being informed that his brother Esau was coming to meet him, with four hundred men, implores the divine assistance, and sends presents to Esau, to pacify him. II. An angel wrestles with Jacob, blesses him, gives him the name of Israel, and assures him that God will defend him.

Reflections.

I. THE example of Jacob, who, in the danger that threatened him, implored the divine assistance, and endeavoured to pacify his brother by his submission, teaches us to have recourse to God in all our dangers; to join prudence to our prayers; and to use all our endeavours to pacify those who are exasperated against us, and to bring about a reconciliation. II. It appears that Jacob was very rich in cattle, since in the present he sent his brother there was a great number of camels and domestic animals.

III. The piety, humility, and gratitude, with which Jacob returned thanks to God for his protection and blessings bestowed upon him, teach us to thank God, and humble ourselves before him, acknowledging his favours towards us, and our own unworthiness. IV. Upon the wrestling of Jacob with the angel, we must observe, that God was pleased, by this means, to assure him that he had nothing to fear from his brother Esau, and that he should be stronger than all his enemies; for the same reason, the angel gave Jacob the name of Israel, which signifies he that hath

prevailed with God. However, it is to be observed, that in this rencounter Jacob became lame; to be a memento to him, all his life, of what had happened on this occasion; and to remind him, that he with whom he had strove, was an angel of God; and if he had been conqueror it was because God was pleased to grant him the victory. Lastly, We must observe, with the prophet Hosea, that it was by prayers and tears, and by supplication for mercy, that the patriarch prevailed when he wrestled with God. From whence we may learn the efficacy of prayer, when it is performed with faith, zeal, and

perseverance.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

Moses relates, I. What passed in the interview between Jacob and Esau. II. Jacob's arrival at Shechem, where le built an altar to the Lord.

Reflections.

We have seen, in this chapter, how Jacob pacified his brother Esau by his respect and submission, and how God protected and brought him safe into the land of Canaan. Here we may be convincel, that God hears and delivers those that trust in him; that he turns the hearts of their enemies; and that meekness and humility go a great way in appeasing those that are provoked. The care that Jacob took to build an altar in the place where he settled was an effect of his piety, and teaches us diligently to discharge the duties of religion, and thereby to testify our gratitude to God for his favours to us.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

Shechem takes away Dinah, the daughter of Jacob, and obtains her in marriage, on condition that all the inhabitants of his city should be circumcised: when this was complied with, two of Jacob's sons took that opportunity to slay the inhabitants of Shechem.