Levi
Spring, 1917
Jndah
Bes^inning 1916
Dan
Spring, 1916
Naphtali
Spring, 1915
Gad
Summer, 1915
Issachar
Beginning 1914 Spring, 1914
Asher
10
Zebulon
Fall, 1914
11
Dinah
Summer, 1913
Joseph
Fall. 1913
Jacob's polygamy is an instance of a patriarchal prac- tice quite repugnant to Christian morality, but to be ac- counted for on the groimd that the time had not then come for a full expression of the will of (iod on this sub- ject. The mutual rights of husband and wife were rec- ognised in the history of the Creation, but instances of polygamy are frequent among persons mentioned in the sacred records, from Lamech ((ien. iv, 19) to Herod (Jo- seph us, .4 «/. xvii, 1, 2). In times when frequent wars increased the number of captives and orphans, and re- duced nearly all service to slavery, there may have been some reason for extending the recognition and protec- tion of the law to concubines or half-wives, as Bilhah and Zilpah. In the case of Jacob, it is right to bear in mind that it was not his original intention to marry both the daughters of Laban. (See, on this subject, Augustine, Contra Faustum, xxii, 47-54.)
Most faithfully and with great success had Jacob served his uncle for fourteen years, when he became de- sirous of returning to his parents. At the urgent re- quest of Laban, however, he is induced to remain for an additional term of six years. The language employed upon this occasion (Gen. xxx, 25 sq.) shows that Ja- cob's character had gained considerably during his ser- vice, both in strength and comprehensiveness ; but the means which he emjiloyed in order to make his bargain with his uncle work so as to enrich himself, prove too clearly that his moral feelings had not undergone an equal improvement (see Bauingarten, Comment. I, i, 276), and that the original taint of prudence, and the sad les- sons of his mother in deceit, had produced some of their natural fruit in his bosom. (Tliose who may wish to incjuire into the nature and efficacy of the means which Jacob employed, may, in addition to the original narra- tive, consult Michaelis and Rosenmuller on the subject, as well as the following : Jerome, Quwst. in Gen. ; Pliny, Hist. Xat, vii, 10 ; Oppian, Ci/ne(/. i, 330 sq. ; Michaelis,
JACOB
730
JACOB
Verm.Schriff.\,G\ sq.; Hastfeer, Uther Schofzucht : Bo- chart, Hieroz. i, 619 ; Nitschmann, De cortjlo Jacuhi in Thesaur. novus Theologico-Philologicus, i, 201. Winer [Handworterb. s. v. Jacob] gives a paraUel passage from iElian, Ill^t. A nim. viii, 21.)
Tlie prosperity of Jacob displeased and grieved Laban, so that a separation seemed desirable. His wives are ready to accompany him. Accordingly, he set out, with his family and his property, " to go to Isaac his father in the land" of Canaan" (Gen. xxxi) (B.C. 1907). It was not till the third day that Laban learned that Jacob had fled, when he immediately set out in pursuit of his nephew, and, after seven days' journey, overtook him in Mount Gilead. Laban, however, is divinely warned not to hinder Jacob's return. Keproach and recrimination ensued. Even a charge of theft is put forward by La- ban : " Wlierefore hast thou stolen ray gods ?" In truth, Kachel had carried off certain images which were the objects (if worship. Ignorant of this misdeed, Jacob boldly called. for a search, adding, "With whomsoever thou Hndest thy gods, let him not live." A crafty wom- an's cleverness eluded the keen eye of Laban. Rachel, by an appeal which one of her sex alone could make, deceived her father. Thus one sin begets another ; su- perstition prompts to theft, and theft necessitates deceit. Wliatevcr opinion may be formed of the teraphim (q. v.) wliicli liachel stole, and which Laban was so anxious to discover, and whatever kind or degree of worship may in reality have been paid to them, their existence in the family sufhces of itself to show how imperfectly instruct- ed regarding the Creator were at this time those who were among the least ignorant in divine things. La- ban's conduct on this occasion called forth a reply from Jacob, from which it appears that his service had been most severe, and which also proves that, however this severe service might have encouraged a certain servili- ty, it had not prevented the development in Jacob's soul of a high and energetic spirit, which, when roused, could assert its rights, and give utterance to sentiments both just, striking, and forcible, and in the most jwetical phraseologj'. Peace, however, being restored, Laban on the ensuing morning took a friendly, if not an affection- ate farewell of his daughters and their sons, and retiu-n- ed home.
3. So far, things have gone prosperously with Jacob ; the word of God to him at Bethel, promising protection and blessing, has been wonderfully verified, and, with a numerous family and large possessions, he has again reached in safety the borders of Canaan. But is there still no danger in front? Shortly after parting with Laban, he met, we are told, troops of angels, apparently a double band, and wearing somewhat of a warlike as- pect, for he called the place in honor of them by the name of Mahanaim \^tu-o hosts'\ ((Jen. xxxii, 1, 2). vVliether this sight was presented to him in vision, or took place as an occurrence in the sphere of ordinary life, may be questioned, though the latter supposition seems best to accord with the narrative; but it is not of material moment, for either way the ajipearance was a reality, and bf)rc the character of a specific revelation to Jacob, adapted to the circumstances in which he was placed. It formed a fitting counterpart to what he for- merly had seen at Bethel; angels were then employed to indicate the peaceful relation in which he stood to the heavenly world when obliged to retire from Canaan, and now, on his return, they are again employed with a like friendly intent— to give warning, indeed, of a hos- tile encounter, but at the same time to assure him of the powerful guardianship and support of heaven. The for- mer part of the design was not long in finding confirma- tion ; for, on sending messengers to his brother Esau with a friendly greeting, and ajijirising him of his safe return after along and prosperous sojourn in Mesopotamia, he learned that Esau was on his way to meet him with a host of 400 men. There could be no reasonable doubt, especially after the preliminarj^ intimation given through the angelic bands, as to tlie intention of Esau in advan-