Something Good - Part Two
Yesterday's post detailed the relationship of Isaac with Yahweh, called the Fear by Isaac's son Jacob. Today I will address the relationship of that Fear to Jacob. The word used by Jacob means to be very afraid, or to dread something. It can also mean to be in awe -- perhaps because of the fear. I noted three reasons for Isaac to dread the hand of Yahweh in his life, and asked whether or not this "dread" was passed on to Jacob.
Main Question: Did Isaac pass on his dread of Yahweh to his son Jacob, and so become the reason Jacob called Yahweh the Fear?
Possible Answers:
With that in mind, I think the proper answer for our question is found in the context. Let me refresh your memory. Jacob has left the home of his father-in-law after 20 years of labor (14 for Laban's two daughters, and another six as a worker in which he received certain portions of Laban's flocks and herds as pay) without notice, without good-byes, and without a forwarding address. When Laban hears of it three days later, he gathers some of his family and takes out after Jacob (after all, Jacob's wife Rachel had stolen the household idols!).
There is evidence of anger in Laban in the pursuit. This is seen by the fact that God appears to him in a dream warning him not to do anything to Jacob. Thus, Laban must have been planning what he would do when he caught up with the runaways. When he does catch up to them, Laban accuses Jacob of stealing the idols which is then followed by a search of Jacob's belongings. They are not found because Rachel is sitting on them and uses an excuse to not get up.
It is at this point that Jacob responds in anger to Laban, recounting the pain and anguish of serving him. Jacob then says, "Unless the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the Fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen my affliction and the labor of my hands, and rebuked you last night." It appears to me that Jacob is giving Laban a warning -- as in, "Watch out Laban, or the God my father dreads will do more than rebuke you!"
A little later there is a peace party. In ancient times, there would be a marker established so that both groups/people would not go beyond the marker to do evil to the other, and there would be a sacrifice of some sort with the sacrificial animal being the "peace meal" between the differing groups. There would also be a solemn "swearing in" ceremony in which each party would swear to uphold their end of the agreement.
The oath ceremony between Jacob and Laban is of great interest to me. Notice their statements:
Main Question: Did Isaac pass on his dread of Yahweh to his son Jacob, and so become the reason Jacob called Yahweh the Fear?
Possible Answers:
1. Jacob had no reason to dread the hand of Yahweh! The New Testament tells us that God had chosen Jacob to be the one through whom the promised line would come before he was even conceived. Jacob did not experience the difficulties his father faced in his relationship with Yahweh. This delves into a deeper question--Did Isaac communicate the need for trust in Yahweh at all, or simply his fear of God?There does not appear to be a reason in Jacob's life for the use of the term Fear for God. Unless, of course, he was merely referring to the One who led his father, and who his father genuinely feared (both in being afraid, and in awe). The problem with that thinking, though, is that Jacob rarely, if ever, does anything unless it benefits him.
2. It appears that Jacob was afraid of very little. Remember, he was the one who deceived everyone around him; others needed to be afraid of him!
3. Everything that Jacob does (at least until he returns to Canaan) is because it will benefit him, not because of fear. For example, even when God appears to Jacob at Bethel in the dream with the stairway to heaven, Jacob agrees to follow Him -- but only because he recognizes the benefits!
With that in mind, I think the proper answer for our question is found in the context. Let me refresh your memory. Jacob has left the home of his father-in-law after 20 years of labor (14 for Laban's two daughters, and another six as a worker in which he received certain portions of Laban's flocks and herds as pay) without notice, without good-byes, and without a forwarding address. When Laban hears of it three days later, he gathers some of his family and takes out after Jacob (after all, Jacob's wife Rachel had stolen the household idols!).
There is evidence of anger in Laban in the pursuit. This is seen by the fact that God appears to him in a dream warning him not to do anything to Jacob. Thus, Laban must have been planning what he would do when he caught up with the runaways. When he does catch up to them, Laban accuses Jacob of stealing the idols which is then followed by a search of Jacob's belongings. They are not found because Rachel is sitting on them and uses an excuse to not get up.
It is at this point that Jacob responds in anger to Laban, recounting the pain and anguish of serving him. Jacob then says, "Unless the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the Fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen my affliction and the labor of my hands, and rebuked you last night." It appears to me that Jacob is giving Laban a warning -- as in, "Watch out Laban, or the God my father dreads will do more than rebuke you!"
A little later there is a peace party. In ancient times, there would be a marker established so that both groups/people would not go beyond the marker to do evil to the other, and there would be a sacrifice of some sort with the sacrificial animal being the "peace meal" between the differing groups. There would also be a solemn "swearing in" ceremony in which each party would swear to uphold their end of the agreement.
The oath ceremony between Jacob and Laban is of great interest to me. Notice their statements:
Laban:
"May the God of Abraham and the god of Nahor,
and the gods of their father, judge between us."
Jacob:
"And Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac."
"May the God of Abraham and the god of Nahor,
and the gods of their father, judge between us."
Jacob:
"And Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac."
It appears that Laban is trying to tie in his family gods (plural!) with the God of Jacob's family. Notice that this is not a belief in God, but merely seeking to call Him as a witness to this agreement. Jacob, on the other hand, doesn't do anything of the sort. His oath is based solely upon the Fear.
Why? I think there are two reasons. First, Jacob is again reminding Laban that there is Someone to dread if he fails to hold up his end of the peace bargain. Thus, using this term for God benefits Jacob (as usual!). Second, I see here a movement in Jacob. Perhaps it is a movement from dread to awe. Why would Jacob swear by the Fear of his father? Could it be that Jacob understands that this Fear is now his God, the One who has fulfilled His promise to bring Jacob back into the land of promise, and the One who will keep him in this situation and all future difficulties? I think so. In fact, the very next chapter may function as a support for this thought. The next chapter in Genesis is when Jacob wrestles with God for a blessing. What he gets is a name change -- from Jacob to Israel. Why? Perhaps because the Fear of his father Isaac is now his Fear as well. Can you say the same? Can you say that you follow the Lord out of awe, and not dread?
Why? I think there are two reasons. First, Jacob is again reminding Laban that there is Someone to dread if he fails to hold up his end of the peace bargain. Thus, using this term for God benefits Jacob (as usual!). Second, I see here a movement in Jacob. Perhaps it is a movement from dread to awe. Why would Jacob swear by the Fear of his father? Could it be that Jacob understands that this Fear is now his God, the One who has fulfilled His promise to bring Jacob back into the land of promise, and the One who will keep him in this situation and all future difficulties? I think so. In fact, the very next chapter may function as a support for this thought. The next chapter in Genesis is when Jacob wrestles with God for a blessing. What he gets is a name change -- from Jacob to Israel. Why? Perhaps because the Fear of his father Isaac is now his Fear as well. Can you say the same? Can you say that you follow the Lord out of awe, and not dread?
posted by Pastor Jason | 8:23 AM
1 Comments:
Dear Mr. Holm-
it seems to me that people(trying not to implicate myself often find themselves in a constant state of both fear and awe of the Lord, this creates several "potential" problems. I often find myself second guessing my "M.O." for these two feelings/actions named above. What has become evident to me is that when I'm trying to rationalize in my own mind, I can almost hear/feel something from within telling me or leading me to make a selfish decision. Not I believe that in lieu of that,. it cannot be God's Holy Angels ministering to me, but rather the dark ones trying to deceive me. And that moment of clarity is what I'm thankful for as I can discern these things now that my eyes have been unveiled,.....only by the power of Jesus Christ! Praise God!
As I'm typing, I digress and take a look inside and am now thankful for your somewhat confusing topic as it simply makes me see that I need to pray to God Almighty on all I do to make sure all motive & intention are pure. Thus keeping my awe and fear in safe reign.
well done my man!,...well done!
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