Laban, as he had himself deceived his father Isaac.

Jacob served another seven years for Rachel, and, after that, received payment for his services. in cattle. He agreed with Laban that all the cattle and sheep of a certain color should be his; but when there were many of that color, Laban changed it, and fixed another: in this manner he changed Jacob's wages ten times. This was unjust in Laban, "but God suffered him not to hurt Jacob," who continued to prosper in his outward circumstances, and had numerous flocks and herds. At length, at the end of twenty years, Jacob became anxious to return to his own country; as the sons of Laban were become jealous of his prosperity, and Laban himself no longer regarded him with his former kindness.

Jacob therefore determined to go away, but without telling Laban, or his sons; he communicated his intention only to his wives Leah and Rachel, and they left secretly with all their cattle, while Laban was absent, and set forth on the road to Canaan.

Jacob had been gone three days before Laban knew of his departure: he then quickly pursued after him, and at the end of seven days overtook him in mount Gilead. Laban, no doubt, intended to force Jacob to return; but God appeared to Laban in a dream, and commanded him not to hurt Jacob, or dispute with him. Laban therefore met Jacob in a friendly manner, only reproaching him with having left secretly, so that

he could not dismiss him with honour, "with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp" he charged him also with having stolen his 'gods.' These gods were small images, (probably made of some precious metal) which were highly prized by the superstitious people of those times. But Jacob did not value them, for he was a worshipper of the true God, nor did he know that his favorite wife Rachel had secretly carried them away from her father's house. On the contrary, he was angry with Laban for suspecting him of having stolen his images, and eagerly desired him to search his tents and baggage, and convince himself that they were not there. Laban accordingly began his search; but when he came to Rachel's tent, she sat down and concealed the images under her clothes, so that Laban could not discover them. After this fruitless attempt to recover his images, Laban entered into a covenant of peace with Jacob: they erected a pillar, which they agreed should be for a boundary between them, and neither should pass beyond it to injure the other. Laban then took an affectionate leave of his daughters and their children, and returned in peace to his own country.

CHAPTER VII.

JACOB'S NAME CHANGED TO ISRAEL.

MEETING OF ESAU AND JACOB.

THE

AFTER parting with Laban, Jacob pursued his journey. He was now approaching the country of Seir, where his brother Esau had settled, and, as he justly feared his resentment, he sent messengers before to announce his coming, and to ascertain if his brother were kindly disposed towards him. The messengers soon returned, bringing intelligence that Esau was on the way to meet Jacob, "and four hundred men with him." On hearing this, "Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed: and he divided the people that were with him, and the flocks and herds, and the camels, into two bands; and said, if Esau come to the one company, and smite it, then the other company which is left shall escape." And Jacob prayed to God, and besought Him to deliver him from the hand of Esau, and bless him: and the following night God appeared to Jacob and blessed him. And God changed Jacob's name to Israel, which signifies that he "prevailed with God," to grant him a blessing: from hence his descendants were called Israelites, or the children of Israel.

Jacob had, we hope, repented ere this of his treacherous and deceitful conduct to his brother; he might only be influenced by fear, but whatever was his motive, he was anxious to meet his brother with every mark of affection and respect.* We have before remarked, that it was customary in those times, and still is in many countries, to offer a present to any person to whom it is wished to show respect. Accordingly, Jacob selected a large number of goats and sheep, camels, cattle, and asses,† and sent them forwards by his servants, every drove separately: "and he commanded the foremost, saying, when Esau my brother meeteth thee, and asketh thee, saying, Whose art thou? and whither goest thou? and whose are these before thee? thou shalt say, They be thy servant Jacob's: it is a present sent unto my lord Esau: and behold he is behind us. And so commanded he the second, and the third, and all that followed the droves."

Then

* Jacob appears to have sedulously shewn Esau those attentions considered to belong by right to an elder brother, and thus to endeavour to obliterate the remembrance of his having obtained the birthright from him. The handsome present which Jacob sends to propitiate his offended brother's favor, and the repeated salutations he makes in approaching him, are all in exact conformity with the present manners of the east, as related by modern travellers.

+ Asses are frequently mentioned in the Bible as animals of great beauty and value: those of Europe are an inferior race both as to usefulness, beauty and size, being considerably smaller and less tractable and intelligent: to ride upon a white ass was a mark of great wealth and distinction.

Having sent forward his servants with these directions, Jacob arranged the rest of his band, placing his wives with their children last for greater security. And when he saw Esau

coming, and with him four hundred men, he passed on before his wives and children, "and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother."

"And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him : and they wept. And Esau lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, Who are those with thee ? And Jacob said, The children which God hath graciously given thy servant."

Then Jacob's wives and children approached and bowed down before Esau. And Esau said, "What meanest thou by all this drove which I met? And Jacob said, These are to find grace in the sight of my lord. And Esau said, I have enough, my brother; keep that thou hast unto thyself." Jacob entreated Esau to accept of his present, as a proof of his kindness and reconciliation; then Esau consented to accept it, and he invited his brother to come with him, and offered to go before him, or to leave some of his people to attend him. But Jacob preferred going on alone, and the habits of the two brothers were so different that it was better they should live apart. There was a great mixture of fear and cowardice in Jacob's character; instead therefore, of simply and openly stating his wish