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"And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren. And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand. ..." - Exodus 2:11-15
"And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren. And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand. And when he went out the second day, behold, two men of the Hebrews strove together: and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow?" - Exodus 2:11-13
"And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" - Genesis 25:22-23
Text: Genesis 28:10-28
In our first study on Jacob as the supplanter, we saw how he cunningly took Esau's birhtright, and in concert with his mother Rebecah also deceitfully received Esau's blessings as the firstborn of the family. All these offences inarred the wrath of Esau on him with the threat of murder and he had to be on the run for his life. Genesis 22:41, 28:10-28.
The Bible says: "And upon them that are left alive of you I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies; and the sound of a shaken leaf shall chase them; and they shall flee, as fleeing from a sword; and they shall fall when none pursueth." -Leviticus 26:36
The word of God is true of everyone who does evil. So Jacob fled when indeed Esau was not pursuing.
"I am the God of BETHEL, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred." - Genesis 31:13
EXPLORATION
The Bible says "The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion." -Proverbs 28:1
The word of God is true of everyone who does evil. So Jacob fled when indeed Esau was not pursuing. While Jacob was on the run, it was dusk and he had to rest his head on a stone to sleep a little before continuing. As he slept, it seemed he had escaped from Esau and perhaps from God's view. This hiding place of temporary rest was called Luz. But that was the very place he met with God. (Genesis 28:10-28).
“And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the LORD. And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.” - Genesis 25:22-23
INSIGHT: By history, the name JACOB denotes one who supplants (holder of the heel or heel-catcher). This was derived from Genesis 25:22-23. The Ethiopic equivalent of Jacob is AKABA which means GUARD, KEEP. So in proper context, Jacob means HE WHOM GOD PROTECTS.
God made a prophetic statement about Jacob (Genesis 25:23). This clearly showed that Jacob was going to be greater than Esau. In our study of the character of Esau, we saw that he was a wandering and carefree young man who did not bother about spiritual matters and the ordinance of God. Thus he lost or gave away his birthright for a cheap ration of pottage. This, perhaps, could be the reason of God's preference of Jacob.