The sons of Jacob
I.
SIGNIFICANCE OF NAMES. Proper names had among them (the Hebrews) a deeper meaning, and were more closely connected in men’s thoughts with character and condition, than among any other ancient nation with the history and character of which we are acquainted. This is apparent from the care taken in the sacred writings to record the origin of so many names of individuals and of places, from the frequent allusions to them as significant, and the remarks made upon their meaning, and from the peculiar employment of them on important and solemn occasions, when given or changed, to mark some great transaction or event, to form titles of honour; or to record a promise, or threat, or prophecy.
II. DIVERSITY OF CHARACTER. Among these twelve sons of one man no two precisely alike. Dark and bright traits of character strangely intermingle in this household. Joseph seems to have served the Lord from his youth, and Simeon appears to have been the darkest character of the twelve. As children often differ in complexion and stature, &c., so do they also in taste, moral character, &c. Often less like their immediate progenitors than their remoter ancestors; pointing far back to past times in their moral and physical portrait. How far back we point to the source of the evil there is in us. Diversity of bodily, mental, and moral qualities a blessing, when under the influence of Divine grace; otherwise a source of mischief and sorrow, engendering rivalry and strife.
III. WAYS OF PROVIDENCE. How marvellous the history wrought out in the world by means of these twelve men and their descendants! How wonderously Providence blended these unlike characters for working out His purposes! He maketh the wrath of men to praise Him. While imagining they were working their own will, their acts were subordinate, by the power of God, to high and gracious purposes. Yet the good, in the end, attain to the most honourable places, and the widest influence. The youngest, and most despised, and helpless, are in the end advanced. We often spoil the best instruments, and turn but sorry work out of most refined materials. God brings good out of evil. A world of beauty out of chaos: a great people out of these twelve shepherds. Think of another twelve whose work it was to lay the foundation of a still greater and more enduring kingdom. They also were shepherds in another sense. Learn:
I. Among all names there is only one whereby we can be saved. “Thou shalt call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people,” &c.
II. Natural differences of character may be purified by Divine grace. The worst may be saved by Christ, the best need His salvation.
III. Cast yourself upon the bountiful care and inexhaustible wisdom of Providence. He who of such material laid the foundations of a great nation, can make all things work together for our good. (J. C. Gray.)
Jacob’s grief at Reuben’s sin
Moses expresseth not how Jacob grieved when he heard this, but only saith, “It came to Israel’s ears” that it was done. Surely the reason was this, that we might thereby conceive that the grief was greater than could be expressed, to have his bed defiled by his own son. So read we, the painter that portrayed the intended sacrifice of Iphigenia, painted her father Agamemnon’s face covered, because it was not possible to express well the countenance of a man so plunged in woe. Think we then earnestly of Jacob’s sorrow, but know that we cannot think how it was. And what crossing griefs the Lord sends us, let us strive to patience by these examples. Yea, let us grow by these examples to a Christian strength against worldly scandals and offences, not moved by them to waver up and down as some do, condemning truth, and judging persons by faults and offences that do happen. As if one should say, See the religion of these men; can it be true, can it be good, when the professors of it have such spots? Simeon and Levi cruel bloodshedders, Dinah wanton and wantonly defiled, and now Reuben an incestuous person, defiling his own father’s bed. How should the religion of these men be good? Surely the idolatrous ignorance, and ignorant idolatry of the Gentiles, of the Canaanites, Perizzites, Jebusites, or such like, was the good religion, and not the way that Jacob served God by. But let us be wise, and learn by this to take a surer course to judge both of men and of religion. Jacob and his family had the true religion, though their sinful flesh offended sometimes. All were not evil in such degrees, though some offended too much. Bewail the falls we may of those that profess the truth, nay, bewail them we ought with a sighing heart; but forsake truth for them, or condemn truth to be no truth, we may not, we dare not, we ought not. Let God be true, and all men liars. Let truth be truth, and all men sinful; yea, such great patriarchs as these were not ever free. (Bp. Babington.)
Lessons
1. God carrieth His Jacobs sometimes from Ephrath to Edar, from one affliction to a worse.
2. The Church’s journeys and stages are appointed and ordered by God.
3. Israel is willing to pitch his tents where God allots him.
4. The Church and its pastor sit down by the tower of the flock; shepherds and sheep have their tower (Genesis 35:21).
5. The Church’s habitation is not free from affection and affliction in the land of its sojournings.
6. Providence ordereth the permission of the foulest crimes sometimes in His own Church.
7. The chiefest in outward privilege in the Church may fall into greatest sin. God’s wisdom orders it.
8. God will not suffer the blots in His Church to be wholly covered or silenced. Others may learn by them.
9. Great is the fascination of lust which makes a son and wife conspire to pollute the father’s bed.
10. Deep impressions the tidings of such wickedness in the Church makes upon gracious men, to consternation.
11. Providence distinctly notes the genealogy and number of the Church’s beginnings, to observe God’s making good His promises. Now Jacob was come to twelve (Genesis 35:22).
12. God doth not always cast out of His visible Church for greatest wickedness. Reuben is numbered.
13. The twelve first patriarchs were ordained of God’s grace, not for their worth.
14. Scripture useth figurative speeches, warily to be opened by God’s ministers (Genesis 35:23-26). (G. Hughes, B. D.)