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From Eternity Past
The church of Christ has been purchased with His blood, and every
shepherd imbued with the spirit of Christ will imitate His self-denying
example, constantly laboring for the welfare of his charge, and the
flock will prosper under his care. “When the chief Shepherd shall
appear,” says the apostle, “ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth
not away.”
1 Peter 5:4
.
Jacob, growing weary of Laban’s service, proposed to return to
Canaan. He said to his father-in-law, “Send me away, that I may go
unto mine own place, and to my country. Give me my wives and my
children, for whom I have served thee, and let me go: for thou knowest
my service which I have done thee.” But Laban urged him to remain,
declaring, “I have learned by experience that the Lord hath blessed me
for thy sake.”
Said Jacob, “It was little which thou hadst before I came, and
it is now increased unto a multitude.” But as time passed, Laban
became envious of the greater prosperity of Jacob, who “increased
exceedingly.” Laban’s sons shared their father’s jealousy, and their
malicious speeches came to Laban’s ears. He “hath taken away all that
was our father’s; and of that which was our father’s hath he gotten all
this glory. And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold,
it was not toward him as before.”
Jacob would have left his crafty kinsman long before but for the
fear of encountering Esau. Now he felt that he was in danger from
the sons of Laban, who, looking upon his wealth as their own, might
endeavor to secure it by violence. He was in great perplexity and
distress. But mindful of the gracious Bethel promise, he carried his
case to God. In a dream his prayer was answered: “Return unto the
land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee.”
The flocks and herds were speedily gathered and sent forward, and
with his wives, children, and servants, Jacob crossed the Euphrates,
urging his way toward Gilead, on the borders of Canaan. After three
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days, Laban set forth in pursuit, overtaking the company on the seventh
day of their journey. He was hot with anger, and bent on forcing them
to return. The fugitives were indeed in great peril.
God himself interposed for the protection of His servant. “It is in
the power of my hand to do you hurt,” said Laban, “but the God of
your father spake unto me yesternight, saying, Take thou heed that