patriarchs and prophets-第46章
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deliverances that God has wrought for him； supporting him in trial； opening
ways before him when all seemed dark and forbidding； refreshing him when
ready to faint。 He should recognize all of them as evidences of the
watchcare of heavenly angels。 In view of these innumerable blessings he
should often ask； with subdued and grateful heart； 〃What shall I render unto
the Lord for all His benefits toward me？〃 Psalm 116：12。
Our time； our talents； our property； should be sacredly devoted to Him who
has given us these blessings in trust。 Whenever a special deliverance is
wrought in our behalf； or new and
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unexpected favors are granted us； we should acknowledge God's goodness； not
only by expressing our gratitude in words； but； like Jacob； by gifts and
offerings to His cause。 As we are continually receiving the blessings of
God； so we are to be continually giving。
〃Of all that Thou shalt give me；〃 said Jacob； 〃I will surely give the tenth
unto Thee。〃 Shall we who enjoy the full light and privileges of the gospel
be content to give less to God than was given by those who lived in the
former； less favored dispensation？ Nay； as the blessings we enjoy are
greater； are not our obligations correspondingly increased？ But how small
the estimate； how vain the endeavor to measure with mathematical rules；
time； money； and love； against a love so immeasurable and a gift of such
inconceivable worth。 Tithes for Christ！ Oh； meager pittance； shameful
recompense for that which cost so much！ From the cross of Calvary； Christ
calls for an unreserved consecration。 All that we have； all that we are；
should be devoted to God。
With a new and abiding faith in the divine promises； and assured of the
presence and guardianship of heavenly angels； Jacob pursued his journey to
〃the land of the children of the East。〃 Genesis 29：1； margin。 But how
different his arrival from that of Abraham's messenger nearly a hundred
years before！ The servant had come with a train of attendants riding upon
camels； and with rich gifts of gold and silver； the son was a lonely；
footsore traveler； with no possession save his staff。 Like Abraham's
servant； Jacob tarried beside a well； and it was here that he met Rachel；
Laban's younger daughter。 It was Jacob now who rendered service； rolling the
stone from the well and watering the flocks。 On making known his kinship； he
was welcomed to the home of Laban。 Though he came portionless and
unattended； a few weeks showed the worth of his diligence and skill； and he
was urged to tarry。 It was arranged that he should render Laban seven years'
service for the hand of Rachel。
In early times custom required the bridegroom； before the ratification of a
marriage engagement； to pay a sum of money or its equivalent in other
property； according to his circumstances； to the father of his wife。 This
was regarded as a safeguard to the marriage relation。 Fathers did not think
it safe to trust the happiness of their daughters to men who had not made
provision for the support of a family。 If they had not sufficient thrift and
energy to manage business and acquire cattle or lands； it was feared that
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their life would prove worthless。 But provision was made to test those who
had nothing to pay for a wife。 They were permitted to labor for the father
whose daughter they loved； the length of time being regulated by the value
of the dowry required。 When the suitor was faithful in his services； and
proved in other respects worthy； he obtained the daughter as his wife； and
generally the dowry which the father had received was given her at her
marriage。 In the case of both Rachel and Leah； however； Laban selfishly
retained the dowry that should have been given them； they referred to this
when they said； just before the removal from Mesopotamia； 〃He hath sold us；
and hath quite devoured also our money。〃
The ancient custom； though sometimes abused； as by Laban； was productive of
good results。 When the suitor was required to render service to secure his
bride； a hasty marriage was prevented； and there was opportunity to rest the
depth of his affections； as well as his ability to provide for a family。 In
our time many evils result from pursuing an opposite course。 It is often the
case that persons before marriage have little opportunity to become
acquainted with each other's habits and disposition； and； so far as everyday
life is concerned； they are virtually strangers when they unite their
interests at the altar。 Many find； too late； that they are not adapted to
each other； and lifelong wretchedness is the result of their union。 Often
the wife and children suffer from the indolence and inefficiency or the
vicious habits of the husband and father。 If the character of the suitor had
been tested before marriage； according to the ancient custom； great
unhappiness might have been prevented。
Seven years of faithful service Jacob gave for Rachel； and the years that he
served 〃seemed unto him but a few days； for the love he had to her。〃 But the
selfish and grasping Laban； desiring to retain so valuable a helper；
practiced a cruel deception in substituting Leah for Rachel。 The fact that
Leah herself was a party to the cheat； caused Jacob to feel that he could
not love her。 His indignant rebuke to Laban was met with the offer of Rachel
for another seven years' service。 But the father insisted that Leah should
not be discarded； since this would bring disgrace upon the family。 Jacob was
thus placed in a most painful and trying position； he finally decided to
retain Leah and marry Rachel。 Rachel was ever the one best loved； but his
preference for her
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excited envy and jealousy； and his life was embittered by the rivalry
between the sister…wives。
For twenty years Jacob remained in Mesopotamia； laboring in the service of
Laban； who； disregarding the ties of kinship； was bent upon securing to
himself all the benefits of their connection。 Fourteen years of toil he
demanded for his two daughters； and during the remaining period； Jacob's
wages were ten times changed。 Yet Jacob's service was diligent and faithful。
His words to Laban in their last interview vividly describe the untiring
vigilance which he had given to the interests of his exacting master： 〃This
twenty years have I been with thee； thy ewes and thy she…goats have not cast
their young； and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten。 That which was torn
of beasts I brought not unto thee； I bare the loss of it； of my hand didst
thou require it； whether stolen by day； or stolen by night。 Thus I was； in
the day the drought consumed me； and the frost by night； and my sleep
departed from mine eyes。〃
It was necessary for the shepherd to watch his flocks day and night。 They
were in danger from robbers； and also from wild beasts； which were numerous
and bold； often committing great havoc in flocks that were not faithfully
guarded。 Jacob had many assistants in caring for the extensive flocks of
Laban； but he himself was held responsible for them all。 During some
portions of the year it was necessary for him to be constantly with the
flocks in person； to guard them in the dry season against perishing from
thirst； and during the coldest months from becoming chilled with the heavy
night frosts。 Jacob was the chief shepherd； the servants in his employ were
the undershepherds。 If any of the sheep were missing； the chief shepherd
suffered the loss； and he called the servants to whom he entrusted the care
of the flock to a strict account if it was not found in a flourishing
condition。
The shepherd's life of diligence and care…taking； and his tender compassion
for the helpless creatures entrusted to his charge； have been employed by
the inspired writers to illustrate some of the most precious truths of the
gospel。 Christ； in His relation to His people； is compared to a shepherd。
After the Fall He saw His sheep doomed to perish in the dark ways of sin。 To
save these wandering ones He left the honors and glories of His Father's
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house。 He says； 〃I will seek t
