Genesis 31 Associations
Genesis 31 – Associations
Dear ones, our discussion focuses on the expectation of privacy. Our world has changed so much in this last generation. In the mid-1960s, our small farm home sat on 168 acres in Fayette, Missouri. Our farmhouse had a kitchen with a Ben Franklin wood-burning stove, a closet potty where our knees stuck out into the kitchen, preventing the door from closing completely, two bedrooms, and a tiny parlor that we were so thankful for. We shared a party-line telephone with other folks sharing the same line. Neighbors frequently listened to each other’s phone calls. Everybody more or less knew what everybody else was doing. Occasionally I would drive a little over 5 miles to town to use the phone booth. I called back to the house, hoping one of my brothers would pickup. When they did pick up, I told him some of the most unbelievable stories and they quickly spread all over the community.
The summer after graduating from high school, I enlisted in the United States Navy. That was over 50 years ago. Sailors were taught not to discuss ship activities when we were in the harbor. There is an old navy slogan, ‘Loose lips sink ships.’ We did not share past, present, or future missions. It was necessary to keep our communication to loved ones back in the state pretty sterile. Certain areas were restricted.
וַיִּשְׁמַע אֶת־דִּבְרֵי בְנֵי־לָבָן
Genesis 31.1
And [Jacob] he heard וַיִּשְׁמַע entirely the words דִּבְרֵי of the sons of Laban’sבְנֵי־לָבָן, [i.e., Jacob’s brothers-in-law] saying, ‘Jacob has taken away all that was our father’s, and from that which was our fathers has he gotten all this honor.’
Entirely = אֶת Eht – ‘from Aleph to Tav of everything.’
How did Jacob hear all the spoken words of the sons of Laban?
When two individuals are communicating in person, over the phone, by text message, email, mail, et cetera, there is often a degree of privacy expected. Why? The conversation or correspondence between two people is expected to be private unless one of the two indicates otherwise. Politeness and common sense are necessary. One could say something like; the room is crowded. Do we need to speak privately? My email is not private. Others can access it. Is that alright?
We should be cautious when discussing matters others might overhear. It is proper to be careful with our computer screen, desk, counter, fax, and copy machine.
Some individuals are direct. They get right to the point, and others are clever. They choose from multiple schemes to convey their subtlely muted message without saying anything. We do not know how Jacob heard. However, we can read into the statement if we pay close attention to how the Torah presents the information. When studying the Torah, it is vital to pay attention to how a message is communicated.
Genesis 31.29
It is in the power of my hand to hurt you, but the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, take heed that you speak not to Jacob either good or bad.
Specific points are established in the Torah like Jacob is a righteous man and Laban is a wicked man. When the Torah mentions the brothers of Leah and Rachel, they are described as the sons of Laban instead of the bother-in-law of Jacob. Notice that the Torah associates Isaac with God. Jacob is the son of that man who is known to have acknowledged God. Laban identifies God as the God of your father, the God of Isaac. Laban does not say our God came to visit me last night. Laban draws a distinction that excludes God from being his God. God is righteous. Isaac and Jacob are known to be virtuous, so they are identified with God. They are connected with God. People associate Isaac and Jacob with a righteous God. Laban does not choose to identify with God. What is the point? Let’s return to the following few verses to observe how the Torah associates Jacob, Rachel, and Leah to God and righteous living.
Genesis 31.4 – 7
And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field to his flock, And said to them, I see your father’s countenance, that it is not toward me as before; but the God of my father has been with me. And you know that with all my power, I have served your father. And your father has deceived me and changed my wages ten times, but God did not allow him to hurt me.
Genesis 31.9
God has taken away the cattle of your father and given them to me.
Genesis 31.11
[Jacob said to Rachel and Leah] the angel of God spoke to me in a dream.
Genesis 31.13
[God said to Jacob] I am the God of Beth-El, where you anointed the pillar, and where you vowed a vow to Me; now arise, get out from this land, and return to the land of your family.
Genesis 31.14 – 16
And Rachel and Leah answered and said to him, Is there yet any share or inheritance for us in our father’s house? Are we not counted by him as strangers? for he has sold us and has entirely devoured also our money. For all the riches which God has taken from our father, that is ours, and our children’s; now then, whatever God has said to you, do.
Dear ones, the laws of our country tie people who associate with criminals together. Our courts prosecute people just because of their associations. That is one reason why I associate with politically conservative individuals. I am a supporter of the former Presiden Trump and his lovely wife, the former first lady Melania. The Torah Teaches all life is precious. The lives of the unborn are precious!! The lives of people who are black, brown, yellow, red, and white are precious!! The lives of straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender single, or married are equally precious!! The police are special!! The people of Israel are God’s chosen people. Jews are precious to God!! Every people of every nation and every land are special to God!! Observing the Torah of the Lord is precious to God!!!
Who and what we associate with is important! The Torah does not support immoral actions!!! God supports husbands, wives, and families. God supports righteous justice!! That means judges live and consistently follow righteousness. That means police officers that are just to everyone equally. Our moral obligation is to eliminate immorality by living holy, pure lives while encouraging others to do the same.
May each of us enjoy good health, happiness, healing, restoration, and Blessing, as we study the Torah and trust in The Lord.
Good Sabbath!
Dr. Akiva Gamliel Belk
