Israel as a nation has a long history that begins with Abraham and continues down to our day. As we trace the growth of the nation there is a very definite progression. From Abraham and Sarah came Isaac then Jacob, 12 sons and later in Egypt 12 tribes. After leaving Egypt the Law was given, the priestly services began with the tabernacle and later the temple. All of these events point back to Abraham and promises which he passed to his descendents. The following notes touch a portion of this history and suggest the development of Israel was not left to chance but carefully guided by the Lord.
Parallels between Jacob and Moses
At the beginning of Jacob’s life we find him in conflict with Esau as they wrestled in the womb. Moses at birth was in conflict with Pharaoh. Moses’ mother tried to save her son as an infant from the decree of Pharaoh placing him in a basket in the river. Jacob and Moses’ infant adversary would flow long in to there adult life. As young men both Moses and Jacob took interest in the promises of God, as a result both men were threatened with death and made a sudden exit to a distant land. Jacob fled from Esau and Moses fled from Pharaoh. On their journey Jacob came to a well as did Moses. There they watered the flocks gathered at the well. At this time they each meet their future bride. They both were then employed by their father-in-law as a shepherd. After many years both Moses and Jacob returned to face the one they had fled from years earlier. On there return both men are temporarily hindered by an angle. In Jacob’s return there seems to be only a one time meeting with Esau that resolved the conflict. With Moses it was a very involved face to face confrontation with Pharaoh, a different Pharaoh then he fled from.
In another set of parallels we find Jacob spent the night at Bethel. The Lord spoke with Jacob in a dream, next morning Jacob continued his journey. Later in Genesis 32:10 Jacob recounts this experience but adds one point; he left Bethel with only a staff in hand. Moses similarly after meeting with the Lord at Mount Sinai returned to Egypt with only a staff in hand. Both men later returned to the very spot from were they had come each increased greatly, by the Lord’s grace Jacob returned to Bethel with a family of 12 sons and many herds and flocks, Moses returned to Mt. Sinai with 12 tribes and many herds and flocks.
In another parallel between Jacob and Moses, Jacob gave one prophesy to each of his 12 sons near the end of his life Gen 49:1-29. Moses also gave a blessing to each of the 12 tribes near the end of his life. Deu 33:1-29
After leaving Canaan Jacob worked for Laban under what began as favorable conditions. In time Jacob found Laban increasingly unfair. The same is true for Israel in Egypt. In the days of Joseph Israel found favorable conditions, by the time Moses was born they were in slavery. While working for Laban Jacob’s family grew, in the same manner Israel grew as they labored for Pharaoh. The more Pharaoh afflicted them the more they grew. The jealousy of Laban's sons regarding Jacob's increased flocks may reflect Pharaoh's concern for the increased numbers of Israelites in Egypt. At one point Pharaoh was willing to let the people go but with out their flocks so he also was interested in Israel’s flocks as Laban was. Jacob after leaving for home was chased by Laban just as Israel was chased by Pharaoh after leaving Egypt; the Lord intervened in each case. After leaving Egypt Israel directed by the Mosaic Law placed the camp of Israel in a particular order by which they would camp and travel. The 12 tribes were broken up into 4 camps three tribes per camp. When camp was set up the tabernacle was places in the center. When traveling two camps would set forward before the tabernacle then after the tabernacle the remaining two camps would fallow. This is outlined in Num 10:13-25 and also in Num 2. Jacob also placed his family in a particular order after leaving Laban, this was for protection. Gen 33:1-3 . . . And he (Jacob) divided the children unto Leah, and unto Rachel, and unto the two handmaids. And he put the handmaids and their children foremost, and Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph hindermost. And he passed over before them, . . .
It was promised Abraham; his seed would bless all the family’s of the earth, and become innumerable. From the lives of Jacob and Moses’ we see what seems to be a method of developing this seed. Whether laboring under Laban or Pharaoh the seed of Abraham increased in number. Their stay out side the Promised Land was only temporary. In these stories we see purpose even determination as the Lord developed the seed of Abraham. We see how the Lord fashioned the life of Jacob to become a family of 12 sons and later how the Lord fashioned the descendents of Jacob in Egypt into a nation of 12 tribes. The family of 12 sons may have been a smaller pattern reflecting how the seed of Abraham would become a nation of 12 tribes.
Andrew Hopkins
As I considered the parallels of Jacob and Moses you had talked about, several issues came to mind. One is that the detractors of the Bible could use this information as proof that the Bible’s account of history was a fabrication by virtue of the pattern similarities. This approach by them is not new however. They do the same sort of thing when they say evolution must be so because of the similarities in the makeup of mammals, ie circulatory system; nervous system. We respond by saying that God having a very good fundamental design will use it over and over with some variations.
So, then I went back to considering this issue of Jacob and Moses, Obviously, they did not have a script in there hands so they could follow what they should do at each point. No, they could have not have envisioned the eventual connections that would play out so elegantly. The conclusion then is that it shows that Majesty and Supreme power of God, who could take different times and places and lives; and through circumstances we cannot even imagine, have them relate only after the events are long since completed. It is surely another proof that God is God!
Paul Check
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