Jacob has to escape. His brother is searching to kill him for deceiving him into handing over the blessing, though Esau had been so stupid and self-centred to do so. But for another reason, Jacob was about to embark on a new sojourn. A wife.
We often don’t see the full extent and reason for our next move. Sometimes we leave the last chapter simply because we have to. A marriage breakdown, redundancy, or a costly mistake can all feel like failure. But so many times, God turns those moments into purposeful journeys. An exile can become a pilgrimage with God.
“So Isaac called for Jacob and blessed him. Then he commanded him: “Do not marry a Canaanite woman. 2 Go at once to Paddan Aram,to the house of your mother’s father Bethuel. Take a wife for yourself there, from among the daughters of Laban, your mother’s brother. 3 May God Almightybless you and make you fruitful and increase your numbers until you become a community of peoples. 4 May he give you and your descendants the blessing given to Abraham, so that you may take possession of the land where you now reside as a foreigner, the land God gave to Abraham.” 5 Then Isaac sent Jacob on his way, and he went to Paddan Aram, to Laban son of Bethuel the Aramean, the brother of Rebekah, who was the mother of Jacob and Esau.” (Genesis 28 v 1-5)
Some days we set out on journeys, and we don’t really know when we will return. Such is the case for Jacob. He sets out in pursuit of a wife. He doesn’t realise at that moment that he will have an experience with God at Bethel. He would be shocked to know he would work for fourteen years to get his wives. He could not know that he would return a completely changed man.
Jacob was not to marry from the Canaanites. Isaac knew the importance of protecting the covenantal lineage. He uses the name El Shaddai (God Almighty), which was part of his father’s blessing as he prayed for fruitfulness, growth in numbers, and possession of the promised land. Jacob is now responsible for carrying these same promises handed down from Abraham.
So Jacob sets out not knowing what will happen but carrying a hope for the future, not only for a wife, but for future generations.
It may feel like you are running away, and maybe that is exactly what is happening. Yet it could be the opening of a new chapter that will not only serve you but also many others.
Missions Paul 