ch 29 - Jacob had practised deceit in his life already. In meeting Laban the tables were turned. Now Jacob was the one who was deceived. In taking Jacob 'home' to find a wife the Lord also used circumstances and people there to mould his character as well - though Jacob probably thought he was simply getting a wife. Likewise the Father works in our life using people and circumstances to mould our characters. We should be alert to the signs.

28:3 In speaking of 'God Almighty' we see a title which is rare in Scripture It is only found in Gen 17:1, Here , Gen 35:11, Gen 48:3

29:30-31 In saying that Leah was hated because Jacob loved Rachel more than he loved Leah provides an explanation of 'Jacob have I loved but Esau have I hated' (Malachi 1:2-3)

28:14 The promise that the seed would ‘spread abroad’ is quoted (Isa 54:3) to speak of the nation. Notice the RV margin in Gen 28:14 has ‘break forth’ as in Isaiah.

29:30 We have seen there was favouritism in Jacobs family. Now he manifests it towards his two wives. Just as it caused problems at home for him it will cause problems for him in his own family. Surely we should be learning from these lives.

Jacob was deceived by Laban over the very same issue that Jacob deceived Isaac (Gen 29:25,26).
 
The title God Almighty is used here (28:3).  It is found in other passages, but also appears elsewhere as Almighty God or just Almighty. In Hebrew, the word for Almighty is shaddai and the word shad means breast. And so, this could mean a reference to God as a mighty protector as He shelters His own under His wing (close to His breast).
Consider the following passages: Psa 57:1, Psa 61:4, Psa 91:4, Matt 23:37.

Gen 29:1 - The people of the East is most likely a reference to the children  of Ammon (Hos 12:12, Eze 25:4), into the country of Syria.

28:12 - perhaps this ladder/stairway is Christ John 1:51. Gen 28:18-19 - "stone" Heb. "eben" (68) means "a stone, to build, weight", etc. and it comes from a root word meaning "to obtain children" (we hope to be Christ's children upon his return). "pillar" Heb. "matstsebah" (4676) means "a memorial stone, something stationed, a column, pillar, image", etc. (Christ is the rock upon which our faith is based and we remember him and his sacrifice from which he came out from the sealed stone alive and giving us hope of a similar resurrection upon his return). "Oil" Heb. "shemen" (8081) means "anointing, fruitful, oil, grease, liquid (as from an olive, often perfumed), richness", etc. "Luz" according to Smith's Bible Dictionary means "Almond tree" (the almond tree was the first to blossom in the Spring and possibly is a symbol of the resurrection and/or an echo of the cross). "Bethel" according to the NIV means "House of God".

29:2-7 - perhaps a suggestion the (perhaps 3 referring to Christ's sacrifice and death of 3 days or the divine perfection in the kingdom age) flocks are watered by Christ after the stone is removed though it is not time for them to be gathered yet for the kingdom on earth when Christ returns.

28:11 The sun set and did not rise again until Genesis 32:31. Of course the events recorded between these two points occupy more than one night. However they make up a coherent whole part of Jacob.

29:4-15 Even though Jacob meeting Rachel was clearly providential it did not mean that there would be no problems. The mention of Laban introduces a name which will spell trouble and trials for Jacob. We must appreciate that God’s providential hand does not shield us from difficulties. Indeed often it creates situations for us to deal with that our characters might be developed

Esau felt cheated out of his birthright and his father's blessing by Jacob (27:36).   He was angry and vowed vengeance (27:41).  The enmity between the seed of Jacob (Israel) and the seed of Esau (Edom) would continue right into the time of Christ.  Jacob, dutifully, obeyed his parents in the matter of selecting wives (28:6,7).  Esau, now feeling rejected, turned spiteful and deliberately sought out women who displeased his father (28:8,9).  This lack of respect not only displeased Isaac but also Yahweh.  The actions of Jacob and Esau, which confirmed their characters, were in Yahweh's fore-knowledge (Rom 9:13).

Matt 16:1-7 - The Lesson of the Little Child

Key words to highlight this lesson are: "Converted", "Humble himself", "Receive one", "Receive me"

28:17 Jacob puts the emphasis here on the geographical location. Although the land is important, as part of the inheritance of Abraham & his descendants, what is more important is that, by His grace God has chosen to be with Jacob. v15 "I am with you....I will not leave you.." And Jacob has to learn by what he will experience, the truth of Isa 57:15,& 66:1

28:15 The promise ‘I will not leave thee’ echoes throughout Scripture as a wonderful comforting promise from God ending as a promise that we can take hold of – Heb 13:5

28:22   In promising to give a tenth Jacob is emulating his grandfather Abraham who gave a tenth ‘of all he had’ to Melchisedec Gen 14:20– both events pre dating the law of Moses but showing that already the concept of paying tithes was in force. Probably instituted by God to the faithful and formalised in the law of Moses.

29:7-8 Water was a very precious commodity in those areas. There was no piped water, the flocks were watered from wells. The simple comment ‘till they roll the stone away’ indicates that this well was not a public place where water could be obtained. It was controlled by others who doubtless charged for the water drawn.

Things had gone wrong for Esau in not receiving Isaac's blessing for the firstborn. How did he react? He took to himself a third wife who would not have been to his father's liking. He took it out on his father. There is a simple warning for us in this - when things go "wrong" in our lives we need to be careful that we do not take it out on other people. Usually those at most risk are those closest to us.

29:15 Jacob, the deceiver, now meets a man who is even better at deceit! Laban presumes that Jacob would work for him and so offers him wages rather than simply offering hospitality.

33:2     Here and in Psa 92:3, 114:8 we read about an instrument of ‘ten strings’ in this we learn a little about musical instruments in the days of David. Stringed instruments in the Western world have four or six strings. We must, therefore, conclude that David’s music did not sound like ours!

33:7   Whilst we might not think that there is a connection between the way that God gathers the sea and controlling the nations (:10) we should remember that the nations are viewed as waters, for example in Rev 19:6

33:16 The way in which men think that they can deliver themselves by their own strength is contrasted in verse :18-19where the ones who ‘fear’ the Lord will be delivered by Him.

Matthew 18:1 - "At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" - The RV. inserts then after who. "Who then? Who, as things stand"... Since one of our number has been doubly honoured in being called "the rock," and in being appointed to take part in a special miracle, who then is greatest? Answer - Jesus was the Greatest... but they were too caught up with idea that the Kingdom was to be set up straight away to notice their pride puffing themselves up enormously.

Matthew 18:2 - "And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them" - Christ spoke many words of his sufferings, but only one of his glory; yet the disciples fasten upon that, and overlook the others. Many love to hear and speak of privileges and glory, who are willing to pass by the thoughts of work and trouble. Our Lord set a little child before them, solemnly assuring them, that unless they were converted and made like little children, they could not enter His kingdom. Children, when very young, do not desire authority, do not regard outward distinctions, are free from malice, are teachable, and willingly dependent on their parents. Surely we need to be daily renewed in the spirit of our minds, that we may become simple and humble, as little children, and willing to be the least of all. Let us daily study this subject, and examine our own spirits.

Matthew 18:17 - "let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican" - Oh what trouble these words have wrought down through the ages.. and what trouble might have been stifled if Brethren had only followed the spirit of the words as they are found in context here from v12-17. How much strife might have been avoided if only men [and women too] had kept their thoughts about the sins of others between the parties involved, instead of trying out those juicy gossipy bits on others first. And to "count one as a heathen man and a publican?"  Why... are not "heathen men and publicans " the very candidates for conversion that Jesus spent so much time with? The message here must surely be that we individually need to redouble our efforts and help effect that desired conversion which often comes long after the baptism has taken place.

Matt 18:35 - This is part of the verse list containing sins which will lead to our rejection at Judgment: Here we have a lack of mercy & an unforgiving spirit. (see also Matt 25:41-43, 21:28-32, Luke 7:40-47, Matt 5:22 for the others)

18:15-18        The issues here – of personal responsibility – draw on the obligation of the revenger of blood (Num 35:19) who had the responsibility himself of seeking retribution. We own our own issues. That is the principle.

It has been said that the proportion of the two debts, in Matt 18:23-35, was 600,000 to 1.  If we have been forgiven so much, surely we must not hold anything against our fellows who might sin against us. It’s nothing in comparison, is it? “If ye forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you” (Matt 6:14).

v15-20 these verses need to be read in the context of the following parable of the unmerciful servant. Our attitude in going to resolve an issue with a brother should be one of forgiveness and reconciliation - we want to win the brother not the argument. The ties of unity between brethren in Christ Jesus may be loosed by a divisive & argumentative spirit. The parable is showing us the heart of the Father, and the expectation that we should have the same spirit of forgiveness towards one another. The Father's spirit of grace & forgiveness is extended despite who we are, and we are the conduit of God's grace to our brethren & sisters 1Pet 4:10-11

v20 is often taken out of context: it is not the smallness of an ecclesial gathering that is important. Rather it is the fact that it is those, even though they are few in number, who gather together in a spirit of unity & love who will have the Lord present with them.

18:1 They had not been able to cast out the devil – Luke 17:16 – and yet they are self seeking!

18:12   We are so familiar with the idea that followers of Jesus are ‘sheep’ that it might pass unnoticed that it is also an Old Testament idea – Psa 95:5, for example.

V.11 is not found in some (five) manuscripts.

Forgiveness is always available to the repentant sinner (vs.21,22). With forgiveness, one can be found innocent when Jesus returns (1Cor 1:8).

18:12-14 Does the way that Jesus speak of the shepherd in this parable reflect the way that we feel towards our fellow believers who wander away from following the gospel?

Vs.15-17 Here, a formula is presented for the resolution of a moral error done privately to one brother by another brother.  There is a different resolution to a publicly made error.  Look how Paul handled Peter's public error (Gal 2:11-14).

What had the disciples said, that brought upon them such a harsh threat from Jesus' lips?

"If you're not careful, you'll be imprisoned until you've paid for all your sins - every one of them!" (v34-35)

We need to read the whole of this chapter with verse 1 in mind. We then realise that most of the ill behaviour in the chapter can be traced back to this attitude of v1. In v3 Jesus tells his disciples that they won't even be in the kingdom, let alone have positions of greatness, unless they give up their pride and recognise their true position: that of debtors who can't pay. Notice he uses the word converted. Our conversion is nothing to do with becoming good from bad, but all about becoming a humble child from a proud adult.

Accounting (24-25) ->  Confession (26,29) ->  Forgiveness (13,27) ->  Reciprocation (10,22,33)

18:24,28 The difference in the amount – ’10,000’ and ‘100’ is designed to remind us of our debt to God compared to any debt owed to us through the wrong of another. We are not being taught that we are indebted to God 1,000 times more but in order of magnitude there is no comparison for the normal working in Israel would never manage to pay back a debt of 10,000 pence.