Then the LORD said to Jacob, "Go back to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you." Then the LORD said to JacobThis phrase indicates direct divine communication, a common occurrence in the patriarchal narratives. Jacob, like his grandfather Abraham and father Isaac, receives guidance from God, underscoring his role in the covenant lineage. This divine encounter emphasizes God's ongoing relationship and covenant with Jacob, reaffirming the promises made to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3. Go back to the land of your fathers
The "land of your fathers" refers to Canaan, the land promised to Abraham and his descendants. This command signifies a return to the land of promise, highlighting the importance of the land in God's covenant. It also marks a transition from Jacob's time in Haran, where he fled from Esau, back to the land where God's promises are to be fulfilled. and to your kindred
Returning to his kindred implies a reconnection with his family, particularly Esau, whom Jacob had deceived. This return is not just geographical but relational, suggesting themes of reconciliation and restoration. It also foreshadows the eventual reunification of Jacob's family, which is crucial for the development of the twelve tribes of Israel. and I will be with you
This promise of divine presence is a reassurance of God's protection and guidance. It echoes God's promise to be with Isaac in Genesis 26:3 and is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, seen in God's assurances to Moses (Exodus 3:12) and Joshua (Joshua 1:5). This promise is ultimately fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ, who is called "Immanuel," meaning "God with us" (Matthew 1:23). Persons / Places / Events 1. JacobThe grandson of Abraham, son of Isaac, and brother of Esau. Jacob is a central figure in Genesis, known for his journey of faith and his role as the father of the twelve tribes of Israel. 2. LabanJacob's uncle and father-in-law, with whom Jacob has lived and worked for many years. Laban's relationship with Jacob is complex, involving both family ties and conflicts over wealth and property. 3. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who guides and directs Jacob's journey and promises His presence with him. 4. The Land of Your FathersRefers to Canaan, the land promised by God to Abraham and his descendants. It is a place of both physical and spiritual significance for Jacob and his family. 5. The Command to ReturnThis event marks a pivotal moment in Jacob's life, as God instructs him to leave Haran and return to Canaan, signifying a step of faith and obedience. Teaching Points Obedience to God's CallJust as Jacob was called to return to his homeland, believers are called to obey God's direction in their lives, trusting in His promises. God's FaithfulnessGod's promise to be with Jacob underscores His faithfulness. Believers can rely on God's unchanging nature and His commitment to His people. Stepping Out in FaithJacob's journey back to Canaan required faith and courage. Similarly, believers are often called to step out in faith, trusting in God's guidance and provision. The Importance of Returning to Spiritual RootsJacob's return to the land of his fathers symbolizes a return to spiritual heritage. Believers are encouraged to remain connected to their spiritual foundations and heritage. God's Presence in TransitionLife transitions can be challenging, but God's promise to be with Jacob assures believers of His presence during times of change and uncertainty. Bible Study Questions 1. What does Jacob's obedience to God's command teach us about responding to God's direction in our own lives? 2. How does God's promise to be with Jacob encourage you in your current circumstances or challenges? 3. In what ways can we ensure that we remain connected to our spiritual heritage and roots, as Jacob was called to return to the land of his fathers? 4. How can the assurance of God's presence help us navigate transitions and changes in our lives? 5. Reflect on a time when you had to step out in faith. How did you experience God's faithfulness and presence during that time? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 12:1-3God's call to Abraham to leave his country and go to a land He would show him, paralleling Jacob's call to return to his ancestral land. Genesis 28:15God's promise to Jacob at Bethel, assuring him of His presence and protection, which is reaffirmed in Genesis 31:3. Exodus 3:12God's assurance to Moses of His presence, similar to His promise to Jacob, highlighting the theme of divine accompaniment in fulfilling God's purposes. People Aram, Isaac, Jacob, Laban, Leah, Nahor, RachelPlaces Canaan, Euphrates River, Galeed, Gilead, Jegar-sahadutha, Mizpah, Paddan-aramTopics Fathers, Jacob, Kindred, Relations, Relatives, Return, TurnDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 31:3 1110 God, present everywhere Genesis 31:1-24 5095 Jacob, life 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 31:3 NIVGenesis 31:3 NLTGenesis 31:3 ESVGenesis 31:3 NASBGenesis 31:3 KJV
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