331 Then Jacob lifted his eyes and looked , and behold , Esau was coming , and four hundred men with him. So he divided the children among Leah and Rachel and the two maids . 2 He put the maids and their children in front , and Leah and her children next , and Rachel and Joseph last . 3 But he himself passed on ahead of them and bowed down to the ground seven times , until he came near to his brother . 4 Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept .
5 He lifted his eyes and saw the women and the children , and said , "Who are these with you?" So he said , " The children whom God has graciously given your servant ." 6 Then the maids came near with their children , and they bowed down . 7 Leah likewise came near with her children , and they bowed down ; and afterward Joseph came near with Rachel , and they bowed down . 8 And he said , "What do you mean by all this company which I have met ?" And he said , " To find favor in the sight of my lord ." 9 But Esau said , " I have plenty , my brother ; let what you have be your own." 10 Jacob said , "No , please , if now I have found favor in your sight , then take my present from my hand , for I see your face as one sees the face of God , and you have received me favorably . 11 "Please take my gift which has been brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me and because I have plenty ." Thus he urged him and he took it. 12 Then Esau said , "Let us take our journey and go , and I will go before you." 13 But he said to him, "My lord knows that the children are frail and that the flocks and herds which are nursing are a care to me. And if they are driven hard one day , all the flocks will die . 14 "Please let my lord pass on before his servant , and I will proceed at my leisure , according to the pace of the cattle that are before me and according to the pace of the children , until e I come to my lord at Seir ." 15 Esau said , "Please let me leave with you some of the people who are with me." But he said , "What need is there? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord ."
16 So Esau returned that day on his way to Seir . 17 Jacob journeyed to Succoth , and built for himself a house and made booths for his livestock ; therefore e the place is named e Succoth . 18 Now Jacob came safely to the city of Shechem , which is in the land of Canaan , when he came from Paddan-aram , and camped before the city . 19 He bought the piece of land where e he had pitched his tent from the hand of the sons of Hamor , Shechem's father , for one hundred pieces of money . 20 Then he erected there an altar and called it El-Elohe-Israel .
341 Now Dinah the daughter of Leah , whom she had borne to Jacob , went out to visit the daughters of the land . 2 When Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite , the prince of the land , saw her, he took her and lay with her by force . 3 He was deeply attracted to Dinah the daughter of Jacob , and he loved the girl and spoke tenderly to her. 4 So Shechem spoke to his father Hamor , saying , "Get me this young girl for a wife ." 5 Now Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter ; but his sons were with his livestock in the field , so Jacob kept silent until they came in.
6 Then Hamor the father of Shechem went out to Jacob to speak with him. 7 Now the sons of Jacob came in from the field when they heard it; and the men were grieved , and they were very angry because he had done a disgraceful thing in Israel by lying with Jacob's daughter , for such a thing ought not to be done . 8 But Hamor spoke with them, saying , "The soul of my son Shechem longs for your daughter ; please give her to him in marriage . 9 "Intermarry with us; give your daughters to us and take our daughters for yourselves. 10 "Thus you shall live with us, and the land shall be open before you; live and trade in it and acquire property in it." 11 Shechem also said to her father and to her brothers , "If I find favor in your sight , then I will give whatever you say to me. 12 "Ask me ever so much e bridal payment and gift , and I will give according as you say to me; but give me the girl in marriage ." 13 But Jacob's sons answered Shechem and his father Hamor with deceit , because he had defiled Dinah their sister . 14 They said to them, "We cannot e do this thing , to give our sister to one who is uncircumcised , for that would be a disgrace to us. 15 "Only on this condition will we consent to you: if you will become like us, in that every male of you be circumcised , 16 then we will give our daughters to you, and we will take your daughters for ourselves, and we will live with you and become one people . 17 "But if you will not listen to us to be circumcised , then we will take our daughter and go ."
18 Now their words seemed reasonable to Hamor and Shechem , Hamor's son . 19 The young man did not delay to do the thing , because he was delighted with Jacob's daughter . Now he was more respected than all the household of his father . 20 So Hamor and his son Shechem came to the gate of their city and spoke to the men of their city , saying , 21 "These men are friendly with us; therefore let them live in the land and trade in it, for behold , the land is large e enough for them. Let us take their daughters in marriage , and give our daughters to them. 22 "Only on this condition will the men consent to us to live with us, to become one people : that every male among us be circumcised as they are circumcised . 23 "Will not their livestock and their property and all their animals be ours? Only let us consent to them, and they will live with us." 24 All who went out of the gate of his city listened to Hamor and to his son Shechem , and every male was circumcised , all who went out of the gate of his city .
25 Now it came about on the third day , when they were in pain , that two of Jacob's sons , Simeon and Levi , Dinah's brothers , each took his sword and came upon the city unawares , and killed every male . 26 They killed Hamor and his son Shechem with the edge of the sword , and took Dinah from Shechem's house , and went forth . 27 Jacob's sons came upon the slain and looted the city , because they had defiled their sister . 28 They took their flocks and their herds and their donkeys , and that which was in the city and that which was in the field ; 29 and they captured and looted all their wealth and all their little ones and their wives , even all that was in the houses . 30 Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi , "You have brought trouble on me by making me odious among the inhabitants of the land , among the Canaanites and the Perizzites ; and my men being few in number , they will gather together against me and attack me and I will be destroyed , I and my household ." 31 But they said , "Should he treat our sister as a harlot ?"
351 Then God said to Jacob , "Arise , go up to Bethel and live there , and make an altar there to God , who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau ." 2 So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, "Put away the foreign gods which are among you, and purify yourselves and change your garments ; 3 and let us arise and go up to Bethel , and I will make an altar there to God , who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me wherever e I have gone ." 4 So they gave to Jacob all the foreign gods which they had and the rings which were in their ears , and Jacob hid them under the oak which was near Shechem . 5 As they journeyed , there was a great terror upon the cities which were around them, and they did not pursue the sons of Jacob .
6 So Jacob came to Luz (that is, Bethel ), which is in the land of Canaan , he and all the people who were with him. 7 He built an altar there , and called the place El-bethel , because there God had revealed Himself to him when he fled from his brother . 8 Now Deborah , Rebekah's nurse , died , and she was buried below e Bethel under the oak ; it was named e Allon-bacuth . 9 Then God appeared to Jacob again when he came from Paddan-aram , and He blessed him. 10 God said to him, "Your name is Jacob ; You shall no longer be called Jacob , But Israel shall be your name ." Thus He called him Israel . 11 God also said to him, "I am God Almighty ; Be fruitful and multiply ; A nation and a company of nations shall come from you, And kings shall come forth from you. 12 " The land which I gave to Abraham and Isaac , I will give it to you, And I will give the land to your descendants after you." 13 Then God went up from him in the place where He had spoken with him. 14 Jacob set up a pillar in the place where He had spoken with him, a pillar of stone , and he poured out a drink offering on it; he also poured oil on it. 15 So Jacob named e the place where e God had spoken with him, Bethel .
16 Then they journeyed from Bethel ; and when there was still some distance e to go to Ephrath , Rachel began to give birth and she suffered severe labor . 17 When she was in severe labor the midwife said to her, "Do not fear , for now e you have another son ." 18 It came about as her soul was departing (for she died ), that she named e him Ben-oni ; but his father called him Benjamin . 19 So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem ). 20 Jacob set up a pillar over her grave ; that is the pillar of Rachel's grave to this day .
21 Then Israel journeyed on and pitched his tent beyond e the tower of Eder .
22 It came about while Israel was dwelling in that land , that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine , and Israel heard of it. Now there were twelve e sons of Jacob - 23 the sons of Leah : Reuben , Jacob's firstborn , then Simeon and Levi and Judah and Issachar and Zebulun ; 24 the sons of Rachel : Joseph and Benjamin ; 25 and the sons of Bilhah , Rachel's maid : Dan and Naphtali ; 26 and the sons of Zilpah , Leah's maid : Gad and Asher . These are the sons of Jacob who were born to him in Paddan-aram .
27 Jacob came to his father Isaac at Mamre of Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron ), where e Abraham and Isaac had sojourned . 28 Now the days of Isaac were one hundred and eighty years . 29 Isaac breathed his last and died and was gathered to his people , an old man of ripe age ; and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.
101 Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits , to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness . 2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these : The first , Simon , who is called Peter , and Andrew his brother ; and James the son of Zebedee , and John his brother ; 3 Philip and Bartholomew ; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector ; James the son of Alphaeus , and Thaddaeus ; 4 Simon the Zealot , and Judas Iscariot , the one who betrayed Him.
5 These twelve Jesus sent out after instructing them: "Do not go in the way of the Gentiles , and do not enter any city of the Samaritans ; 6 but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel . 7 "And as you go , preach , saying , ' The kingdom of heaven is at hand .' 8 "Heal the sick , raise the dead , cleanse the lepers , cast out demons . Freely you received , freely give . 9 " Do not acquire gold , or silver , or copper for your money belts , 10 or a bag for your journey , or even two coats , or sandals , or a staff ; for the worker is worthy of his support . 11 "And whatever e city or village you enter , inquire who is worthy in it, and stay at his house until you leave that city. 12 "As you enter the house , give it your greeting . 13 "If the house is worthy , give it your blessing of peace . But if it is not worthy , take back your blessing of peace . 14 "Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words , as you go out of that house or that city , shake the dust off your feet . 15 "Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city .
16 " Behold , I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves ; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves . 17 "But beware of men , for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues ; 18 and you will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake , as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles . 19 " But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say ; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say . 20 "For it is not you who speak , but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
(Read Matthew 10:1-4)
The word "apostle" signifies messenger; they were Christ's messengers, sent forth to proclaim his kingdom. Christ gave them power to heal all manner of sickness. In the grace of the gospel there is a slave for every sore, a remedy for every malady. There is no spiritual disease, but there is power in Christ for the cure of it. There names are recorded, and it is their honour; yet they had more reason to rejoice that their names were written in heaven, while the high and mighty names of the great ones of the earth are buried in the dust.
(Read Matthew 10:5-15)
The Gentiles must not have the gospel brought them, till the Jews have refused it. This restraint on the apostles was only in their first mission. Wherever they went they must proclaim, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. They preached, to establish the faith; the kingdom, to animate the hope; of heaven, to inspire the love of heavenly things, and the contempt of earthly; which is at hand, that men may prepare for it without delay. Christ gave power to work miracles for the confirming of their doctrine. This is not necessary now that the kingdom of God is come. It showed that the intent of the doctrine they preached, was to heal sick souls, and to raise those that were dead in sin. In proclaiming the gospel of free grace for the healing and saving of men's souls, we must above all avoid the appearance of the spirit of an hireling. They are directed what to do in strange towns and cities. The servant of Christ is the ambassador of peace to whatever place he is sent. His message is even to the vilest sinners, yet it behoves him to find out the best persons in every place. It becomes us to pray heartily for all, and to conduct ourselves courteously to all. They are directed how to act as to those that refused them. The whole counsel of God must be declared, and those who will not attend to the gracious message, must be shown that their state is dangerous. This should be seriously laid to heart by all that hear the gospel, lest their privileges only serve to increase their condemnation.
(Read Matthew 10:16-42)
Our Lord warned his disciples to prepare for persecution. They were to avoid all things which gave advantage to their enemies, all meddling with worldly or political concerns, all appearance of evil or selfishness, and all underhand measures. Christ foretold troubles, not only that the troubles might not be a surprise, but that they might confirm their faith. He tells them what they should suffer, and from whom. Thus Christ has dealt fairly and faithfully with us, in telling us the worst we can meet with in his service; and he would have us deal so with ourselves, in sitting down and counting the cost. Persecutors are worse than beasts, in that they prey upon those of their own kind. The strongest bonds of love and duty, have often been broken through from enmity against Christ. Sufferings from friends and relations are very grievous; nothing cuts more. It appears plainly, that all who will live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer persecution; and we must expect to enter into the kingdom of God through many tribulations. With these predictions of trouble, are counsels and comforts for a time of trial. The disciples of Christ are hated and persecuted as serpents, and their ruin is sought, and they need the serpent's wisdom. Be ye harmless as doves. Not only, do nobody any hurt, but bear nobody any ill-will. Prudent care there must be, but not an anxious, perplexing thought; let this care be cast upon God. The disciples of Christ must think more how to do well, than how to speak well. In case of great peril, the disciples of Christ may go out of the way of danger, though they must not go out of the way of duty. No sinful, unlawful means may be used to escape; for then it is not a door of God's opening. The fear of man brings a snare, a perplexing snare, that disturbs our peace; an entangling snare, by which we are drawn into sin; and, therefore, it must be striven and prayed against. Tribulation, distress, and persecution cannot take away God's love to them, or theirs to him. Fear Him, who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. They must deliver their message publicly, for all are deeply concerned in the doctrine of the gospel. The whole counsel of God must be made known, Acts 20:27. Christ shows them why they should be of good cheer. Their sufferings witnessed against those who oppose his gospel. When God calls us to speak for him, we may depend on him to teach us what to say. A believing prospect of the end of our troubles, will be of great use to support us under them. They may be borne to the end, because the sufferers shall be borne up under them. The strength shall be according to the day. And it is great encouragement to those who are doing Christ's work, that it is a work which shall certainly be done. See how the care of Providence extends to all creatures, even to the sparrows. This should silence all the fears of God's people; Ye are of more value than many sparrows. And the very hairs of your head are all numbered. This denotes the account God takes and keeps of his people. It is our duty, not only to believe in Christ, but to profess that faith, in suffering for him, when we are called to it, as well as in serving him. That denial of Christ only is here meant which is persisted in, and that confession only can have the blessed recompence here promised, which is the real and constant language of faith and love. Religion is worth every thing; all who believe the truth of it, will come up to the price, and make every thing else yield to it. Christ will lead us through sufferings, to glory with him. Those are best prepared for the life to come, that sit most loose to this present life. Though the kindness done to Christ's disciples be ever so small, yet if there be occasion for it, and ability to do no more, it shall be accepted. Christ does not say that they deserve a reward; for we cannot merit any thing from the hand of God; but they shall receive a reward from the free gift of God. Let us boldly confess Christ, and show love to him in all things.
