Lesson #12 Jacob on the Run (28: 1 30: 24)

In Lesson #11 we began the second of three panels in the main body of Genesis: the Isaac/Jacob story (25: 19 36: 43).

In Lesson #11 Rebekah gives birth to the twins, Esau and Jacobtwo boys struggling with each other, even in the womb. Through deceit and treachery urged on by his mother, RebekahJacob deceives his father, steals Esaus blessing as the firstborn and flees to Haran, escaping his brothers wrath.

In Lesson #12, Esau threatens to kill his brother Jacob, Rebekah tricks Isaac into sending Jacob to her home in Haranfor a short time, until the heat of Esaus anger cools. The short time turns to long as Jacob settles into uncle Labans home and into the arms of Rachel, Labans beautiful younger daughter.

Jacobs Ladder. Nuremberg Bible (Biblia Sacra Germanaica), handcolored woodblock print. Nuremberg: Anton Koberger, 1483.

1. Jacob travels to a distant land, Haran (29: 1). 2. Jacob meets Rachel by a well (29: 2). 3. In a deft reversal, Jacob draws water for Rachel and her sheep (29: 10). 4. Rachel runs to tell Laban about the visitor, and Laban runs to greet the guest (29: 12-13). 5. The betrothal is agreed upon (well, almost!) (29: 15-20).

Rembrandt. The Meeting of Jacob and Rachel at the Well, (pen and brown ink drawing), c. 1640. New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Hendrick ter Brugghen. Jacob Reproaching Laban, (oil on canvas), 1628. Cologne: Wallraf-Richartz Museum.

Leah (Wife)
Ruben Simeon Levi Judah Issachar Zebulun Dinah (Daughter)

Rachel (Wife)
Joseph Benjamin

Zilpa (Servant)
Gad Asher

Bilhah (Servant)
Dan Naphtali

1. Mandrake roots are often bifurcated, resembling human figures and have been used for millennia in magic spells and fertility rites. 2. Folklore has it that when a mandrake root is pulled from the ground it screams so horribly that the person pulling it up dies instantly! 3. In the Bible, the Hebrew word translated mandrake is literally love plant. 4. The mandrake is mentioned twice in the Bible: once here in Genesis (30: 14-22) and again in the eroticallycharged Song of Songs (7: 12-14).

Come, my lover! Let us go out to the fields, let us pass the night among the henna. Let us go early to the vineyards and see if the vines are in bloom, if the buds have opened, if the pomegranates have blossomed. There I will give you my love; the mandrakes give forth fragrance, and over our doors are all choice fruits; fruits both fresh and dried, my lover, have I kept in store for you. (Song of Songs 7: 12-14)

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How does Rebekah convince Isaac to send Jacob to Haran? How does the betrothal type-scene in Genesis 29 differ from that in Genesis 24? When Laban deceives Jacob in substituting Leah for Rachel, is Jacob a victim or does he get what he deserves? In the battle of the dueling wives what are the motives of Leah, Rachel, Zilpah and Bilhah? If you were God, what would you say about the goings on in Genesis 28-30? And whatif anythingwould you do about it?

Copyright 2013 by William C. Creasy

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