Genesis 31:10-13

2009.Feb.13 17:00

Dream No. Two

Read Genesis 31:10-13 | Full Chapter

"In breeding season I once had a dream in which I looked up and saw that the male goats mating with the flock were streaked, speckled or spotted. The angel of God said to me in the dream, 'Jacob.' I answered, 'Here I am.' And he said, 'Look up and see that all the male goats mating with the flock are streaked, speckled or spotted, for I have seen all that Laban has been doing to you. I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and where you made a vow to me. Now leave this land at once and go back to your native land.' "
(Genesis 31:10-13, NIV)

I think this is Jacob’s second “Yahweh” dream described, although I may not remember that correctly. The first was the Jacob’s Ladder dream. This dream is a bit less dramatic. Jacob sees an illustration of all this business with coloration as the distinguishing element between Laban’s and Jacob’s flocks. Based from this illustration, Yahweh tells Jacob that he is aware of how Laban has been cheating Jacob, or at least trying trying to. Then Yahweh gives Jacob some context about Yahweh himself; he is the God of Bethel, that is, the God of the stairway dream, who reiterated to Jacob his promise to Abraham of many descendants and possession of Palestine. Then Yahweh tells Jacob to return home.

Okay, then. Let’s talk first about continuity. From what I know and that’s not a lot, there’s not much evidence for monotheism prior to Moses (and not strictly even then). But Genesis, while acknowledging that other gods are being worshipped shows a single God, Yahweh–if not known as such at this time–working in the lives of each of the patriarchs, reiterating promises, keeping the family generally in Palestine (for all of what will be four generations, admittedly). That his work has continuity through generations is reassuring in my own life, knowing that his work in me will not fail, regardless of time.

A second theme touched on here is the return to the promised land. It’s never something fun that causes members of Israel or its patriarchs to leave Palestine. Indeed, it’s always something that looks like the opposite of promise. And yet Yahweh’s faithfulness as he brings them back is evident, even in the life of Jesus (Matthew 2:13-23). So, then, as Jacob is now telling his wives, Yahweh has told him that it’s time to return.