May 18, 2025

DAILY BIBLE READING

Genesis 32 – From Fear to Encounter: Jacob’s Wrestle with God and His Renaming as Israel

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Bible Text – Genesis 32 (KJV)

¹ And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.

² And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God’s host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim.

³ And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir, the country of Edom.

⁴ And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye speak unto my lord Esau; Thy servant Jacob saith thus, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed there until now:

⁵ And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and menservants, and womenservants: and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find grace in thy sight.

⁶ And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, We came to thy brother Esau, and also he cometh to meet thee, and four hundred men with him.

⁷ Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed: and he divided the people that was with him, and the flocks, and herds, and the camels, into two bands;

⁸ And said, If Esau come to the one company, and smite it, then the other company which is left shall escape.

⁹ And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the Lord which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee:

¹⁰ I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands.

¹¹ Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with the children.

¹² And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.

¹³ And he lodged there that same night; and took of that which came to his hand a present for Esau his brother;

¹⁴ Two hundred she goats, and twenty he goats, two hundred ewes, and twenty rams,

¹⁵ Thirty milch camels with their colts, forty kine, and ten bulls, twenty she asses, and ten foals.

¹⁶ And he delivered them into the hand of his servants, every drove by themselves; and said unto his servants, Pass over before me, and put a space betwixt drove and drove.

¹⁷ And he commanded the foremost, saying, When Esau my brother meeteth thee, and asketh thee, saying, Whose art thou? and whither goest thou? and whose are these before thee?

¹⁸ Then thou shalt say, They be thy servant Jacob’s; it is a present sent unto my lord Esau: and, behold, also he is behind us.

¹⁹ And so commanded he the second, and the third, and all that followed the droves, saying, On this manner shall ye speak unto Esau, when ye find him.

²⁰ And say ye moreover, Behold, thy servant Jacob is behind us. For he said, I will appease him with the present that goeth before me, and afterward I will see his face; peradventure he will accept of me.

²¹ So went the present over before him: and himself lodged that night in the company.

²² And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two womenservants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok.

²³ And he took them, and sent them over the brook, and sent over that he had.

²⁴ And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.

²⁵ And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.

²⁶ And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.

²⁷ And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.

²⁸ And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.

²⁹ And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.

³⁰ And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.

³¹ And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh.

³² Therefore the children of Israel eat not of the sinew which shrank, which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day: because he touched the hollow of Jacob’s thigh in the sinew that shrank.

 

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Introduction

Having been reconciled with Laban, Jacob now faces perhaps his greatest trial: meeting his brother Esau. Fear of revenge weighs heavily on him—after all, Jacob once deceived Esau. This chapter shows Jacob in deep inner turmoil, guided by divine messengers, strategic action, humble prayer, and a mysterious, life-changing encounter by night: wrestling with God. Jacob’s renaming to Israel marks a turning point in his spiritual journey and foreshadows the nation that will spring from him.

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Commentary

1. God’s Messengers and Preparation (vv. 1–3)
   Jacob meets God’s angels—as he did at Bethel—and names the place Mahanaim (“Two Camps”), hinting at both the angelic host and his divided family. This divine encounter fortifies him for the coming test.

2. News of Esau’s Approach—Fear and Strategy (vv. 4–9)
   Jacob sends humble messengers to Esau: “Your servant Jacob…” Their return report—that Esau approaches with 400 men—fills Jacob with dread. He wisely divides his household and flocks into two camps, hoping at least one will survive.

3. Jacob’s Humble Prayer (vv. 10–13)
   In earnest humility Jacob appeals to God:

   • He invokes God’s promise.

   • He confesses his unworthiness.

   • He pleads for rescue from Esau.

   • He recalls God’s pledge of blessing.
     This prayer reveals Jacob’s growing trust that real help comes from God, not just human planning.

4. Reconciliation by Gifts (vv. 14–21)
   Jacob assembles a lavish gift of herds for Esau, sending them ahead in separate droves. This is not bribery but a sincere effort at making amends, while still exercising caution.

5. Night at the Jabbok—Separation and Solitude (vv. 22–24)
   Jacob crosses his wives and children over the ford, then remains alone. This deliberate solitude sets the stage for a divine encounter.

6. The Wrestle with God (vv. 25–30)
   A mysterious “man”—God manifest—wrestles with Jacob till dawn. Jacob’s thigh is dislocated, yet he refuses to relent until he receives a blessing. God then renames him Israel, “He who struggles with God.” In this moment Jacob is transformed, learning that his deepest conflict is with God himself—and that perseverance, not strength, yields blessing.

7. A New Name—Israel (vv. 28–29)
   The new name defines Jacob’s identity and calling: a nation will bear the name Israel. No longer “supplanter,” Jacob now clings to God.

8. Peniel—“Face of God” (vv. 30–33)
   Jacob calls the place Peniel, “I have seen God face to face.” His limp and the dietary prohibition on the hip sinew forever commemorate this profound encounter: true strength emerges from sacred weakness.

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Summary

Genesis 32 finds Jacob on the brink of meeting Esau. Fear, strategy, and prayer precede a stunning nocturnal struggle with God Himself. Renamed Israel, Jacob emerges no longer as a crafty fugitive but as a blessed champion of God. His true adversary was not his brother but God—yet God meets him in the struggle, changes him, and grants him a new identity.

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Message for Today

• God meets us in our darkest nights. When fear grips us, God is often nearer than we think.

• Breakthrough comes in wrestling with God. Holding on, even when it hurts, defeats despair.

• Prayer matters more than plans. Jacob’s strategy was wise, but his deliverance began with humble prayer.

• Encounter changes us. We do not emerge from divine struggles unchanged—our limp can become a sign of grace.

• Weakness is no disgrace. Like Jacob, our scars can testify to God’s transforming power.

• God grants new identity. In Christ we receive names and destinies far beyond our past failures.

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May 11–17, 2025

WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING

Ellen G. White │ Patriarchs and Prophets – Chapter 4

“The Plan of Redemption”

Read online here

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Introduction

Chapter 4 of Patriarchs and Prophets, titled “The Plan of Redemption,” offers a profound glimpse into the heart of the Christian gospel. It portrays the cosmic significance of the Fall and God’s response through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. From heaven’s anguish over humanity’s sin to the unfolding of the rescue plan in Christ’s sacrifice, the text reveals the unfathomable depth of God’s love.

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Commentary

1. Heavenly Sorrow and Christ’s Compassion
   After the Fall, all heaven mourns. The Son of God is moved with pity. Though the Creator could have left humanity to death, His love seeks a way of salvation.
2. The “Counsel of Peace” and Christ’s Self-Sacrifice
   Redemption is decreed in an eternal, loving agreement between the Father and the Son. Christ volunteers Himself as the ransom—an act that fills the angels with both awe and sorrow.
3. The Role of the Angels in the Plan of Redemption
   The angels cannot bear the burden of atonement, but they are commissioned to minister to humanity, to accompany Christ in His humiliation, and to support the unfolding of the redemption plan.
4. The Universal Significance of Christ’s Sacrifice
   Christ’s offering matters not only for mankind but for the entire universe. It answers questions about God’s justice, the unchangeable nature of His law, and the character of Satan.
5. The First Promise in the Garden of Eden
   Genesis 3:15 is presented as the “gospel in seed form.” It promises victory over Satan through the “seed of the woman,” ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
6. Hope Despite Judgment
   Although humanity has fallen, hope remains. Through repentance and faith, people can be restored as children of God.
7. The Sacrificial Service as Symbol
   The offerings continually reminded Adam of human sinfulness and the need for an atoning sacrifice. His first sacrifice was both painful and instructive.
8. The Cosmic Dimension of Redemption
   The plan of salvation demonstrates God’s justice and mercy to all creation. It upholds God as righteous while exposing Satan as accuser and deceiver.
9. The Significance of the Immutable Law
   If God’s law were changeable, Christ’s death would have been unnecessary. Instead, His sacrifice confirms the eternal and just character of the law.

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Summary

The plan of redemption reveals God’s character—infinitely loving and perfectly just. Despite the depth of humanity’s fall, God offers restoration through Jesus Christ. Heaven, the universe, and humankind alike bear witness to the greatness of this plan, which was ordained before the foundation of the world.

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Application for Today

• God sees our condition but does not abandon us.
• His love goes so far that He Himself bears the punishment we deserve.
• Christ is our substitute, our mediator, and our Savior.
• Faith in Him opens the way to forgiveness, life, and a future with God.
• Every person today has the opportunity to become part of this redemption.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
— John 3:16

Lesson 7: Foundations of Prophecy

7.6 Questions
When Heaven Touches Earth—God’s Voice in Prophecy

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Introduction

There are moments in life when all masks fall away—when you can no longer hide from yourself, from others, or from God. The Bible describes exactly such a moment: the Judgment. Yet instead of fear, God invites us through the Gospel to face that moment with confidence—not because of our own righteousness, but because of His grace in Christ.

At the same time, in the end times God calls people—as He once called John the Baptist—to be light in the darkness. The church becomes a prophetic people, shining like a burning lamp in the night and calling out, “Prepare the way of the Lord!” Amid a global battle between light and darkness, God’s love is revealed most clearly at the cross.

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Bible Study

1. The Abyss of Pride—Lucifer’s Rebellion
Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28 show how Lucifer, once a protective cherub, fell from heaven. His fall began with the thought “I will…”—I will ascend, I will rule, I will be like God. In that self-exaltation the first evil took root—a rebellion against the very nature of God: love, humility, self-sacrifice.

God allowed evil to bear its fruit—not because He desired its existence, but because love cannot compel loyalty. The cosmic conflict became public, and the cross became the center of revelation: there Jesus triumphed—not by force but by sacrifice.

2. Righteousness in Judgment—Romans 3:22
Paul declares:

“This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe” (Rom 3:22).

At the Judgment we stand exposed—every thought, every motive, every action laid bare. What remains? No self-righteousness. Only the Gospel. Christ’s righteousness covers us like a mantle of light. Without it we are lost; with it we will endure.

3. God’s People as Prophetic Light—John 5:35 & Revelation 14:6
Jesus said of John the Baptist:

“He was a burning and shining lamp” (John 5:35).

John was more than a preacher—he was a forerunner, a voice in the wilderness pointing to the nearness of God’s kingdom. In the end times the church has a similar role: Revelation 14:6 speaks of an eternal gospel proclaimed to every nation, tribe, language, and people. We are not spectators; we are messengers.

Questions with Answers

Question 1:
Imagine standing before God with every flaw, every character defect, every wrong deed, every wrong thought, every impure motive fully exposed. What would you rightfully deserve? What is your only hope? Why must we have “the righteousness of God… through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe” (Rom 3:22) both now and at the Judgment—when we most need it? In short: Why do we need the Gospel?

Answer:
If we are honest—truly honest—we know: no one can stand before the all-knowing, holy God. If our hearts, our intentions, our hidden thoughts, and our inner lives were laid bare, we would be utterly exposed and burdened with guilt. Not only our obvious sins count, but also what we failed to do, what we thought but never spoke, hypocrisy, pride, envy, indifference to the weak, and silent neglect of truth.

According to Scripture, what we “deserve” is clear:

“For the wages of sin is death” (Rom 6:23)—not just physical death, but eternal separation from God, the Source of life.

And our only hope begins here—not in ourselves but in Jesus Christ. Romans 3:22 tells us there is a righteousness outside of us—God’s righteousness, given by faith in Jesus Christ.

This righteousness is no pious abstraction:

• It is perfect.

• It is tested, proven, and sealed by suffering.

• It is free—but costly, purchased by Jesus’ blood.

At the Judgment, when books are opened and every person stands before the throne (Rev 20:12), the question will not be, “Were you good enough?” but, “Are you secure in Christ?”

Thus the Gospel is not an addition to piety—it is life itself. It is God’s answer to Lucifer’s accusation, the guarantee that grace overcomes sin, and the reason heaven will one day sing,

“Behold the Lamb of God, whose blood redeems!” (VSS 615)

We need the Gospel because:

• We are sinners.

• We need a righteousness we cannot produce.

• God loves us and desires our restoration, not our condemnation.

Question 2:
John the Baptist served as a “burning and shining lamp.” In what way does God’s end-time people have a similar prophetic role?

Answer:
John the Baptist was unique in salvation history; Jesus Himself said no greater prophet was born (Matt 11:11). He was a voice in the wilderness, calling,

“Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight” (Luke 3:4).
He was like a seraph on earth—burning, shining, willing to consume himself to bring light, and he proclaimed Christ’s first coming with clarity and humility:
“He must increase; I must decrease” (John 3:30).

In the end times, God’s people fulfill a similar role—but announcing Christ’s second coming. We live in an age where truth is desperately sought yet elusive. Spiritual relativism, distraction, and fear cry out for a prophetic witness.

Revelation 14:6–12 describes a people proclaiming the eternal gospel to every nation. Like John, we call people to fear God, honor Him, and recognize that the hour of His judgment has come.

Today’s prophetic role of the church involves three key activities:

1. Preparation: Calling to repentance and renewal, not by force but by love.

2. Proclamation: Taking the Gospel to every corner—every voice matters.

3. Resistance to evil: In a world bowing to the beast (Rev 13), God’s people stand with the Lamb—faithful, steadfast, even unto hardship.

We are not just followers; we are path-makers for His return, lights in the night, flames of hope, heralds of heaven. And, like John, we must say,

“I am not the light, but I am sent to bear witness to the light.”

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Spiritual Principles

• Without the Gospel, no one is righteous; in Christ, all who believe are saved.

• God’s love shines most deeply in the face of evil—on the cross.

• God uses ordinary people for prophetic purposes.

• The church is not a building but a movement—a living lamp.

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Application for Daily Life

• Examine your heart: Do you rely on your own righteousness or on Christ’s?

• Stand daily under the cross—your refuge at the Judgment.

• Be a light—through conversations, deeds, and thoughts. You are God’s messenger.

• Learn to speak up—the world needs the Gospel, and you are God’s voice in your sphere of influence.

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Conclusion

Lucifer’s fall began with pride; humanity’s redemption began with humility—in a manger, on a cross, and in an empty tomb. At the center of God’s plan stands the cross, where love triumphed over sin. And in that divine plan stand you and I—redeemed, called, and sent.

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Thought of the Day

At the Judgment, those who endure will not be the flawless, but those who stand beneath the cross.

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Illustration – “The Final Voice”: A Story of Judgment, Grace, and the Call to Shine

It was just before midnight when David sat alone in his tiny study. His laptop screen flickered; outside, rain hammered the window. The city below was frantic, loud, indifferent—his heart was just as restless.

He had just finished watching a courtroom drama. The judge coldly sentenced the defendant—no mercy, no excuses. For some reason, the film didn’t leave him. It wasn’t the movie itself but the question burning in him:

“What if I had to stand before God—right now, tonight?”

He closed his eyes. And saw.

Not in a dream, but as an inner vision—a sudden, quiet crack in the wall between this world and eternity.

He stood in a vast hall of light. Not a wooden courtroom but radiant brilliance. No human judge, but a throne—dazzling, majestic, awesomely beautiful. Around it: beings with eyes like fire, faces like lion, eagle, ox, and man. Before the throne lay a book, open—his life story.

David could not flee. The throne was not outside him; it was inside him. And the book was his soul. Page by page, memories surfaced: pride, lies, ignored cries for help, superficiality, self-righteousness, hurtful words, judging glances, hidden thoughts—known only to Him on the throne.

An angel stepped forward—radiant, pure—and calmly asked,

“What do you bring the King, son of man?”

David tried to answer: “I wasn’t so bad… I never stole… I did good…” But his voice failed. Even his good was tainted by pride in that light.

He sank to his knees and whispered,

“I have nothing to offer—only guilt.”

Then another figure appeared—a man with nail-pierced hands, a face full of love. He looked at David—not accusingly but deeply—and said,

“For him, I suffered. For him, I died. That he might be with Me forever.”

David hardly dared believe it. The book’s pages began to change; the writing erased itself. In their place appeared words like:

“Forgiveness.”
“My Blood.”
“Righteousness by Faith.”

And a voice from the throne declared,

“Righteous—not by your own works, but by the Lamb.”

Then the vision vanished.

David gasped and found himself back in his study—but he was never the same. He knew that when he stands before God, it will not be his record that saves him, but the Gospel—grace, the cross.

Two weeks later, David sat in a small Bible study and for the first time spoke aloud about his vision—quietly, humbly. Everyone listened.

“I realized,” he said, “that I’m not only saved, I’m also called—like John the Baptist—to share this light.”

Afterward, a young woman named Elisa—23, an artist, lost, curious—approached him.

“Do you really think God can use someone like me? I have so many questions and so much darkness inside.”

David smiled and replied,

“God doesn’t need perfect people. He needs genuine, honest, courageous hearts. If He could use John, eating locusts in the wilderness, He can use you—and me.”

Elisa began to read the Bible—first hesitantly, then passionately. One evening by a small lakeside she whispered what she had long feared to hope:

“I want to be like a burning lamp—even if I only light the way for one person.”

A year later, David and Elisa traveled through Europe—not on big stages or TV, but in small groups, cafés, university talks. They shared stories of grace, judgment, the Lamb, and the light that came when they lost themselves. They met skeptics, seekers, dissenters—and saw quiet embers ignite in hearts.

One day they stood before an old prison turned museum. David whispered,

“Imagine—we’re all born behind bars of guilt, fear, pride. Then Christ comes, opens the door, and says: ‘Go forth. Be free. Shine for others.’”

May 17, 2025

DAILY BIBLE READING

Genesis 31 – Jacob’s Return Home: From Deception to Reconciliation Under God’s Protection

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Bible Text – Genesis 31 (KJV)

¹ And he heard the words 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.

² And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before.

³ And the Lord said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee.

⁴ And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field unto his flock,

⁵ And said unto them, I see your father’s countenance, that it is not toward me as before; but the God of my father hath been with me.

⁶ And ye know that with all my power I have served your father.

⁷ And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me.

⁸ If he said thus, The speckled shall be thy wages; then all the cattle bare speckled: and if he said thus, The ringstraked shall be thy hire; then bare all the cattle ringstraked.

⁹ Thus God hath taken away the cattle of your father, and given them to me.

¹⁰ And it came to pass at the time that the cattle conceived, that I lifted up mine eyes, and saw in a dream, and, behold, the rams which leaped upon the cattle were ringstraked, speckled, and grisled.

¹¹ And the angel of God spake unto me in a dream, saying, Jacob: And I said, Here am I.

¹² And he said, Lift up now thine eyes, and see, all the rams which leap upon the cattle are ringstraked, speckled, and grisled: for I have seen all that Laban doeth unto thee.

¹³ I am the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred.

¹⁴ And Rachel and Leah answered and said unto him, Is there yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father’s house?

¹⁵ Are we not counted of him strangers? for he hath sold us, and hath quite devoured also our money.

¹⁶ For all the riches which God hath taken from our father, that is ours, and our children’s: now then, whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do.

¹⁷ Then Jacob rose up, and set his sons and his wives upon camels;

¹⁸ And he carried away all his cattle, and all his goods which he had gotten, the cattle of his getting, which he had gotten in Padanaram, for to go to Isaac his father in the land of Canaan.

¹⁹ And Laban went to shear his sheep: and Rachel had stolen the images that were her father’s.

²⁰ And Jacob stole away unawares to Laban the Syrian, in that he told him not that he fled.

²¹ So he fled with all that he had; and he rose up, and passed over the river, and set his face toward the mount Gilead.

²² And it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob was fled.

²³ And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven days’ journey; and they overtook him in the mount Gilead.

²⁴ And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.

²⁵ Then Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mount: and Laban with his brethren pitched in the mount of Gilead.

²⁶ And Laban said to Jacob, What hast thou done, that thou hast stolen away unawares to me, and carried away my daughters, as captives taken with the sword?

²⁷ Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp?

²⁸ And hast not suffered me to kiss my sons and my daughters? thou hast now done foolishly in so doing.

²⁹ It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt: but the God of your father spake unto me yesternight, saying, Take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.

³⁰ And now, though thou wouldest needs be gone, because thou sore longedst after thy father’s house, yet wherefore hast thou stolen my gods?

³¹ And Jacob answered and said to Laban, Because I was afraid: for I said, Peradventure thou wouldest take by force thy daughters from me.

³² With whomsoever thou findest thy gods, let him not live: before our brethren discern thou what is thine with me, and take it to thee. For Jacob knew not that Rachel had stolen them.

³³ And Laban went into Jacob’s tent, and into Leah’s tent, and into the two maidservants’ tents; but he found them not. Then went he out of Leah’s tent, and entered into Rachel’s tent.

³⁴ Now Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the camel’s furniture, and sat upon them. And Laban searched all the tent, but found them not.

³⁵ And she said to her father, Let it not displease my lord that I cannot rise up before thee; for the custom of women is upon me. And he searched but found not the images.

³⁶ And Jacob was wroth, and chode with Laban: and Jacob answered and said to Laban, What is my trespass? what is my sin, that thou hast so hotly pursued after me?

³⁷ Whereas thou hast searched all my stuff, what hast thou found of all thy household stuff? set it here before my brethren and thy brethren, that they may judge betwixt us both.

³⁸ 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.

³⁹ 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.

⁴⁰ Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes.

⁴¹ Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times.

⁴² Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.

⁴³ And Laban answered and said unto Jacob, These daughters are my daughters, and these children are my children, and these cattle are my cattle, and all that thou seest is mine: and what can I do this day unto these my daughters, or unto their children which they have born?

⁴⁴ Now therefore come thou, let us make a covenant, I and thou; and let it be for a witness between me and thee.

⁴⁵ And Jacob took a stone, and set it up for a pillar.

⁴⁶ And Jacob said unto his brethren, Gather stones; and they took stones, and made an heap: and they did eat there upon the heap.

⁴⁷ And Laban called it Jegarsahadutha: but Jacob called it Galeed.

⁴⁸ And Laban said, This heap is a witness between me and thee this day. Therefore was the name of it called Galeed;

⁴⁹ And Mizpah; for he said, The Lord watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.

⁵⁰ If thou shalt afflict my daughters, or if thou shalt take other wives beside my daughters, no man is with us; see, God is witness betwixt me and thee.

⁵¹ And Laban said to Jacob, Behold this heap, and behold this pillar, which I have cast betwixt me and thee:

⁵² This heap be witness, and this pillar be witness, that I will not pass over this heap to thee, and that thou shalt not pass over this heap and this pillar unto me, for harm.

⁵³ The God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge betwixt us. And Jacob sware by the fear of his father Isaac.

⁵⁴ Then Jacob offered sacrifice upon the mount, and called his brethren to eat bread: and they did eat bread, and tarried all night in the mount.

⁵⁵ And early in the morning Laban rose up, and kissed his sons and his daughters, and blessed them: and Laban departed, and returned unto his place.

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Introduction

After twenty years serving Laban, Jacob senses it is time to go home. Laban grows hostile, and the LORD calls Jacob back to Canaan. But his departure triggers a secret flight, Laban’s pursuit, a tense standoff, and ultimately a peaceful covenant. In this chapter we see human fear and divine protection intersect. Jacob matures into a man of responsibility, defending his family and asserting his rights—yet he continually experiences God’s faithful care.

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Commentary

1. Hostility and Divine Call (vv. 1–3)
   Accusations from Laban’s sons and a changing attitude in Laban prompt Jacob to hear God’s voice: “Return… I am with you.” God’s call comes amid conflict, not calm.

2. Family Council in the Field (vv. 4–16)
   Jacob gathers Rachel and Leah to explain Laban’s deceit and God’s intervention. The two sisters side with Jacob, affirming God’s redistribution of their father’s wealth. Jacob now leads as patriarch.

3. Secret Flight and Rachel’s Theft (vv. 17–21)
   Jacob escapes at night with his wives, children, and livestock. Rachel stealthily takes her father’s household idols. Their departure blends faithful obedience and human deception.

4. Laban’s Pursuit and God’s Warning (vv. 22–24)
   Laban pursues Jacob for seven days, but God warns him in a dream to speak kindly to Jacob. God defends His servant by sovereign intervention.

5. Confrontation and False Accusations (vv. 25–35)
   Laban reproaches Jacob for fleeing secretly and accuses him of theft. Unaware that Rachel stole the idols, Jacob endures questioning until Rachel diverts suspicion with a feigned menstrual excuse.

6. Jacob’s Justified Rebuttal (vv. 36–42)
   Jacob recounts twenty years of honest labor, hardship, and Laban’s repeated wage changes, crediting God’s hand for his prosperity and survival. “But God… has seen my affliction,” he declares.

7. The Covenant of Reconciliation (vv. 43–55)
   Despite tensions, Laban proposes a covenant. They set up a heap of stones and a pillar as mutual witness. Jacob swears by “the fear of Isaac,” and they share a meal—symbolizing restored peace.

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Summary

In Genesis 31 Jacob heeds God’s call, flees Laban’s household, is pursued, yet is miraculously protected. Conflict gives way to an honest confrontation and a covenant of peace. Jacob emerges a seasoned leader under divine guardianship, demonstrating both human frailty and God’s unbroken faithfulness.

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Message for Today

• God’s call often comes amid turmoil. We can trust His guidance even in the midst of conflict.

• Divine protection is subtle. God may watch over us by redirecting the hearts of others, not by grand displays of power.

• Reconciliation is possible even after long-standing disputes—through mutual honesty and God’s enabling.

• Honest reflection on God’s past faithfulness empowers us to trust Him for the future.

• Covenants before God remind us that our highest accountability is to Him—our ultimate witness and judge.

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May 11–17, 2025

WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING

Ellen G. White │ Patriarchs and Prophets – Chapter 4

“The Plan of Redemption”

Read online here

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Introduction

Chapter 4 of Patriarchs and Prophets, titled “The Plan of Redemption,” offers a profound glimpse into the heart of the Christian gospel. It portrays the cosmic significance of the Fall and God’s response through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. From heaven’s anguish over humanity’s sin to the unfolding of the rescue plan in Christ’s sacrifice, the text reveals the unfathomable depth of God’s love.

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Commentary

1. Heavenly Sorrow and Christ’s Compassion
   After the Fall, all heaven mourns. The Son of God is moved with pity. Though the Creator could have left humanity to death, His love seeks a way of salvation.
2. The “Counsel of Peace” and Christ’s Self-Sacrifice
   Redemption is decreed in an eternal, loving agreement between the Father and the Son. Christ volunteers Himself as the ransom—an act that fills the angels with both awe and sorrow.
3. The Role of the Angels in the Plan of Redemption
   The angels cannot bear the burden of atonement, but they are commissioned to minister to humanity, to accompany Christ in His humiliation, and to support the unfolding of the redemption plan.
4. The Universal Significance of Christ’s Sacrifice
   Christ’s offering matters not only for mankind but for the entire universe. It answers questions about God’s justice, the unchangeable nature of His law, and the character of Satan.
5. The First Promise in the Garden of Eden
   Genesis 3:15 is presented as the “gospel in seed form.” It promises victory over Satan through the “seed of the woman,” ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
6. Hope Despite Judgment
   Although humanity has fallen, hope remains. Through repentance and faith, people can be restored as children of God.
7. The Sacrificial Service as Symbol
   The offerings continually reminded Adam of human sinfulness and the need for an atoning sacrifice. His first sacrifice was both painful and instructive.
8. The Cosmic Dimension of Redemption
   The plan of salvation demonstrates God’s justice and mercy to all creation. It upholds God as righteous while exposing Satan as accuser and deceiver.
9. The Significance of the Immutable Law
   If God’s law were changeable, Christ’s death would have been unnecessary. Instead, His sacrifice confirms the eternal and just character of the law.

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Summary

The plan of redemption reveals God’s character—infinitely loving and perfectly just. Despite the depth of humanity’s fall, God offers restoration through Jesus Christ. Heaven, the universe, and humankind alike bear witness to the greatness of this plan, which was ordained before the foundation of the world.

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Application for Today

• God sees our condition but does not abandon us.
• His love goes so far that He Himself bears the punishment we deserve.
• Christ is our substitute, our mediator, and our Savior.
• Faith in Him opens the way to forgiveness, life, and a future with God.
• Every person today has the opportunity to become part of this redemption.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
— John 3:16