9. Jacob the Supplanter

Sabbath Afternoon

Prayer Thought

Jacob in his distress was not overwhelmed. He had repented, he had endeavored to atone for the wrong to his brother. And when threatened with death through the wrath of Esau, he sought help from God. "Yea, he had power over the Angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication." "And He blessed him there." Hosea 12:4; Genesis 32:29. In the power of His might the forgiven one stood up, no longer the supplanter, but a prince with God. He had gained not merely deliverance from his outraged brother, but deliverance from himself. The power of evil in his own nature was broken; his character was transformed. {Ed 147.3}

Memory Text

And he said, Is not he rightly named Jacob? for he hath supplanted me these two times: he took away my birthright; and, behold, now he hath taken away my blessing. And he said, Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me? Genesis 27:36

This week's SS Lesson will dive into the life of a supplanter who had been a revealer of secrets (dreams) and a savior of Egypt's economic drought for 7 years and his family as well. It includes the blessings bestowed to Him by the Lord for being faithful even in prison.

Outline of the Study

Sunday: Jacob steals the blessing (Jacob and Esau) - Gen. 25:21-34

Monday: God blesses Jacob (1) Jacob’s Ladder - Gen. 28:10-22

Tuesday: Jacob is tricked (The Deceiver Deceived) - Gen. 29:1-30

Wednesday: God blesses Jacob (2) The Blessing of the Family - Gen. 29:31-30:22

Thursday: Jacob is a blessing (Jacob Leaves) - Gen. 30:25-32

Friday: Further Study and Meditation

Sunday: Jacob steals the blessing (Jacob and Esau) - Gen. 25:21-34

“And Esau said, ‘Look, I am about to die; so what is this birthright to me?’” (Genesis 25:32)

Yielded to Temptation - a Separation from God

There is too much yielding to desire and inclination for present enjoyment. There is not that earnest soul hunger for spiritual strength and heavenly wisdom. Temptations are yielded to, the appetite is gratified, and there is a separation from God. . . .You remember the case of Esau. He passed the crisis of his life without knowing it. What he regarded as a matter worthy of scarcely a thought was the act that revealed the prevailing traits of his character. It showed his choice, showed his true estimate of that which was sacred and which should have been sacredly cherished. He sold his birthright for a small indulgence to meet his present wants, and this determined the after course of his life. To Esau, a morsel of meat was more than the service of his Master.—Letter 5, 1877. {CTr 85.2}

Danger of Selling the Birthright

No one in our world can do a selfish act but that they are in danger of selling their birthright for a mess of pottage. Let them remember that Esau was controlled by his desires; appetite and inclination ruled the man, and he sold his soul for the gratification of appetite. Are there any doing this who know the present truth? . . . {CTr 85.4}

“Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.” How many whose names are registered on the church books will, for the sake of some selfish advantage, sacrifice integrity and risk the consequences. In order to gratify their own carnal desires, they will walk unguarded into Satan’s snares. For selfish influences they sell their peace, they sell their souls. {CTr 85.5}

Consider the Following

Esau and Jacob were born the same day, but their characters were different. Esau was an active hunter, and Jacob was a calm shepherd (Genesis 25:27).

Esau only cared for today, but Jacob went beyond it. Jacob longed for the birthright and its blessing (i.e. being the link to the promised Seed).

Jacob acquired the birthright as his brother disregarded it (Genesis 25:29-34).

When Isaac wanted to bless Esau, Jacob tricked his father and got the blessing fraudulently (Genesis 27:1-27).

Monday: God blesses Jacob (1) Jacob’s Ladder - Gen. 28:10-22

“Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. And behold, the Lord stood above it [...]” (Genesis 28:12-13a)

Christ as the Ladder

Jacob's experience as a wanderer from his home, when he was shown the mystic ladder, . . . was designed to teach a great truth in regard to the plan of salvation. . . . {TMK 21.2}

The ladder represented Christ. He is the channel of communication between heaven and earth, and angels go to and fro in continual intercourse with the fallen race. The words of Christ to Nathanael were in harmony with the figure of the ladder, when He said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man" (John 1:51). Here the Redeemer identifies Himself as the mystic ladder that makes communication possible between heaven and earth. . . . {TMK 21.3}

The Assurance that God is True

This man of faith beholds the ladder of Jacob's vision, representing Christ, who has connected earth with heaven, and finite man with the infinite God. His faith is strengthened as he calls to mind how patriarchs and prophets have relied upon the One who is his support and consolation, and for whom he is giving his life. From these holy men who from century to century have borne testimony for their faith, he hears the assurance that God is true. His fellow apostles, who, to preach the gospel of Christ, went forth to meet religious bigotry and heathen superstition, persecution, and contempt, who counted not their lives dear unto themselves that they might bear aloft the light of the cross amidst the dark mazes of infidelity--these he hears witnessing to Jesus as the Son of God, the Saviour of the world. From the rack, the stake, the dungeon, from dens and caves of the earth, there falls upon his ear the martyr's shout of triumph. He hears the witness of steadfast souls, who, though destitute, afflicted, tormented, yet bear fearless, solemn testimony for the faith, declaring, "I know whom I have believed." These, yielding up their lives for the faith, declare to the world that He in whom they have trusted is able to save to the uttermost. {AA 512.1}

Consider the Following

After being tricked by Jacob, Esau promised that he would kill him after their father died (Genesis 27:41). Rebekah encouraged Isaac to send Jacob far away to find a wife among their relatives (Genesis 27:42-28:5).

God blessed Jacob in his journey. He introduced Himself from the top of a large ladder that reached to heaven (Genesis 28:11-15; Gn. 11:4). Jacob had tried to get the blessing himself, but only God can give it by grace.

Jacob reacted to God’s blessing by promising two things (a spiritual one and a physical one): to make that place God’s house, and to give back the tithe of everything to God (Genesis 28:22).

Tuesday: Jacob is tricked (The Deceiver Deceived) - Gen. 29:1-30

“And he said to Laban, ‘What is this you have done to me? Was it not for Rachel that I served you? Why then have you deceived me?’” (Genesis 29:25)

Love at First Sight

With a new and abiding faith in the divine promises, and assured of the presence and guardianship of heavenly angels, Jacob pursued his journey to "the land of the children of the East." Genesis 29:1, margin. But how different his arrival from that of Abraham's messenger nearly a hundred years before! The servant had come with a train of attendants riding upon camels, and with rich gifts of gold and silver; the son was a lonely, footsore traveler, with no possession save his staff. Like Abraham's servant, Jacob tarried beside a well, and it was here that he met Rachel, Laban's younger daughter. It was Jacob now who rendered service, rolling the stone from the well and watering the flocks. On making known his kinship, he was welcomed to the home of Laban. Though he came portionless and unattended, a few weeks showed the worth of his diligence and skill, and he was urged to tarry. It was arranged that he should render Laban seven years' service for the hand of Rachel. {PP 188.2}

Love Constrained to Work

And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her. Genesis 29:20. {CC 66.1}

How different his [Jacob's] arrival from that of Abraham's messenger nearly a hundred years before! The servant had come with a train of attendants riding upon camels, and with rich gifts of gold and silver; the son was a lonely, footsore traveler, with no possession save his staff. Like Abraham's servant, Jacob tarried beside a well, and it was here that he met Rachel, Laban's younger daughter. . . . Though he came portionless and unattended, a few weeks showed the worth of his diligence and skill, and he was urged to tarry. It was arranged that he should render Laban seven years' service for the hand of Rachel. {CC 66.2}

Seven Years of Faithful Service for Rachel but tricked

Seven years of faithful service Jacob gave for Rachel, and the years that he served "seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her." But the selfish and grasping Laban, desiring to retain so valuable a helper, practiced a cruel deception in substituting Leah for Rachel. The fact that Leah herself was a party to the cheat, caused Jacob to feel that he could not love her. His indignant rebuke to Laban was met with the offer of Rachel for another seven years' service. But the father insisted that Leah should not be discarded, since this would bring disgrace upon the family. Jacob was thus placed in a most painful and trying position; he finally decided to retain Leah and marry Rachel. Rachel was ever the one best loved; but his preference for her excited envy and jealousy, and his life was embittered by the rivalry between the sister-wives. PP 189.2

Twenty Years, 14 Years of Which is done for Two Daughters of Laban

For twenty years Jacob remained in Mesopotamia, laboring in the service of Laban, who, disregarding the ties of kinship, was bent upon securing to himself all the benefits of their connection. Fourteen years of toil he demanded for his two daughters; and during the remaining period, Jacob's wages were ten times changed. Yet Jacob's service was diligent and faithful. His words to Laban in their last interview vividly describe the untiring vigilance which he had given to the interests of his exacting master: "This twenty years have I been with thee; thy ewes and thy she-goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten. That which was torn of beasts I brought not unto thee; I bare the loss of it; of my hand didst thou require it, whether stolen by day, or stolen by night. Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes." {PP 190.1}

Consider the Following

Jacob didn’t have anything to give Laban as a dowry, so he suggested he would work seven years to marry his daughter.

However, Laban tricked his son-in-law by giving him Leah instead of Rachel (Genesis 29:20-23).

The next morning, Jacob realized he had been tricked. He had suffered the Law of Talion (Exodus 21:24). Now he could better understand his sin and what his father and his brother had felt.

The Trick was so painful for Jacob

Jacob was not happy in his marriage relation, although his wives were sisters. He formed the marriage contract with Laban for his daughter Rachel, whom he loved. After he had served seven years for Rachel, Laban deceived him and gave him Leah. When Jacob realized the deception that had been practiced upon him, and that Leah had acted her part in deceiving him, he could not love Leah. Laban wished to retain the faithful services of Jacob a greater length of time, therefore deceived him by giving him Leah, instead of Rachel. Jacob reproved Laban for thus trifling with his affections, in giving him Leah, whom he had not loved. Laban entreated Jacob not to put away Leah, for this was considered a great disgrace, not only to the wife, but to the whole family. Jacob was placed in a most trying position; but he decided to still retain Leah, and also marry her sister. Leah was loved in a much less degree than Rachel. Laban was selfish in his dealings with Jacob. He only thought of advantaging himself by the faithful labors of Jacob. He would have left the artful Laban long before, but he was afraid of encountering Esau. He heard the complaint of Laban's sons, saying, "Jacob hath taken away all that was our father's; and of that which was our father's hath he gotten all this glory. And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before." {1SP 109.1}

Wednesday: God blesses Jacob (2) The Blessing of the Family - Gen. 29:31-30:22

And when the LORD saw that Leah [was] hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel [was] barren. (Genesis 29:31)

The Father of Israel (The Antitype)

Jacob was now to become the father of Israel (12 tribes) through whom many nations shall be blessed; a type of Israel by the promise, the 12 tribes, the 144,000. The dream that he had in the night was only a vision and representation of some future event. The meaning of the dream can be only one thing. If the ladder represents Christ, the angels as messengers, God the Father at the head, and Jacob at the foot, it means a complete connection with heaven and the true Israel,--the latter rain, the loud cry of the third angel's message. See Rev. 18:1. {SR1: 61.3}

Laban Understood the Wrong of Polygamy

Laban understood the wrong of polygamy, although it was alone through his artifice that Jacob had taken two wives. He well knew that it was the jealousy of Leah and Rachel that led them to give their maids to Jacob, which confused the family relation, and increased the unhappiness of his daughters. And now as his daughters are journeying at a great distance from him, and their interest is to be entirely separate from his own, he would guard as far as possible their happiness. Laban would not have Jacob bring still greater unhappiness upon himself and upon Leah and Rachel, by taking other wives (3SG 126). {1BC 1095.5}

Consider the Following

God blessed Jacob during the following years. He had 11 sons (Benjamin, the twelfth, would be born later).

The names of his children reflect the feelings of Leah and Rachel. Despite of their dispute, God blessed them (Genesis 29:31-30:24).

Thursday: Jacob is a blessing (Jacob Leaves) - Gen. 30:25-32

“For what you had before I came was little, and it has increased to a great amount; the Lord has blessed you since my coming. And now, when shall I also provide for my own house?” (Genesis 30:30)

A Great Advantage of Submission to God

In surrendering ourselves to God, we reap great advantages; for if we have weaknesses of character, as we all have, we unite ourselves to One who is mighty to save. Our ignorance will be united to infinite wisdom, our frailty to enduring might, and, like Jacob, we may each become a prince with God. Connected with the Lord God of Israel, we shall have power from above which will enable us to be overcomers; and by the impartation of divine love, we shall find access to the hearts of men. We shall have fastened our trembling grasp upon the throne of the Infinite, and shall say, "I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me." The assurance is given that He will bless us and make us a blessing; and this is our light, our joy, our triumph. When the youth understand what it is to have the favor and love of God in the heart, they will begin to realize the value of their blood-bought privileges, and will consecrate their ability to God, and strive with all their God-given powers to increase their talents to use in the Master's service. {FE 232.1}

The Change of Jacob's Name to Israel

The angel inquired of Jacob, “What is thy name?” And when Jacob answered, he said, “Thy name shall be called no more Jacob [the supplanter], but Israel; for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.” Jacob received the blessing for which his soul had longed; his sin as a supplanter and deceiver was pardoned. The crisis in his life had passed. God shows, in his dealing with Jacob, that he will not sanction the least wrong in any of his children; neither will he cast off and leave to despair and destruction those who are deceived and tempted and betrayed into sin. Doubt, perplexity, and remorse had imbittered Jacob's life; but now all was changed, and how sweet was the rest and peace in God, in the assurance of his restored favor. {HS 132.1}

The Word of the Lord Standeth Sure

It is the privilege of every one of us, like Jacob, to prevail with God. But the query arises, How can we believe that we shall receive the things we ask for, when we have no evidence that we shall? God's word is pledged. Is not that sufficient evidence? If we grasp the promises by living faith, trusting entirely in Jesus, the blessing will come in due time. It may not come in the way we expect; but it will come in the way that God directs, and by the means that he chooses to employ. Satan may tempt you to think that the Lord has forgotten you; but tell him that the word of the Lord standeth sure, having this seal, “The Lord knoweth them that are his;” and keep on praying. {HS 132.2}

Consider the Following

Jacob was a blessing for Laban and his family. However, Jacob had nothing. Now he had to begin working for himself and his family.

Laban tried to trick his son-in-law again, but God didn’t let him (Genesis 31:7). On the contrary, God used dreams to tell Jacob to use genetics (which he didn’t know about) to evade Laban’s tricks (Genesis 31:9-13).

Jacob didn’t argue, revolt, or tried to find his own solutions. He waited on God. He left Laban’s house for Canaan only when God told him to do so (Genesis 31:3).

Friday: Further Study and Meditation

In this time of "trouble and darkness" and "dimness of anguish" (verse 22), the future was made bright by means of many precious communications to the church of God concerning her future triumph. Judah was to suffer much from Assyrian oppression, and from the scourgings of other nations, and was finally to be carried away captive; yet this sore chastisement, grievous though it might seem at the time, would be used by a merciful Providence as a means of salvation. "By this," Isaiah declared, "shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged; and this is all the fruit to take away his sin." Isaiah 27:9. At the close of the period of captivity, those who had remained faithful, together with those who might choose henceforth to serve the living God, were to be permitted to return to the land of their fathers. {RH, April 8, 1915 par. 11}

Questions to Ponder

1. A fraud seems to turn out a blessing. What lesson can we glean from the story? Is there any qualities that Jacob possess worthy of receiving the blessing?

2. How could we avoid using deception to gain the advantage? Is there any adverse effect on relationship when deception is done?

3. In comparison between the experience in Babel and Bethel. In what way does Jacob’s dream portrays access to heaven? To whom does access to heaven being relate to?

4. What’s the purpose of deception done likewise to Jacob? How can we react on injustice done to us?

5. For what purpose does the experience of Leah and Rachel relates to the end time condition?

6. Based on the above quotation {RH, April 8, 1915 par. 11), what does it teach us about God’s will, purposes and promises?

7. In what way does Jacob learn to trust in God? How can we fulfill His purposes in a tragic situation like in Jacob’s experiences?

From the Pen of Inspiration

“Men whom God favored, and to whom He entrusted great responsibilities, were sometimes overcome by temptation and committed sin, even as we at the present day strive, waver, and frequently fall into error. Their lives, with all their faults and follies, are open before us, both for our encouragement and warning.” E. G. W. (Patriarchs and Prophets, cp. 21, p. 238)

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