The White Horseman
The Possibilities Part 1
Mat 28:1-7 KJV In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. (2) And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. (3) His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: (4) And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. (5) And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. (6) He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. (7) And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
Mat 28:8-15 KJV And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. (9) And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. (10) Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me. (11) Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. (12) And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, (13) Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. (14) And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. (15) So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
Mat 28:16-20 KJV Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. (17) And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. (18) And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. (19) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Joh 1:29-31 KJV The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (30) This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. (31) And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
Joh 1:32-36 KJV And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. (33) And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. (34) And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. (35) Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; (36) And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
We opened these journeys with the passages above to make 1 grand point. That being Yeshua or Jesus our Messiah and Savior controls all things since these moments forward.
Rev 5:1-4 KJV And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. (2) And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? (3) And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. (4) And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
Rev 5:5-8 KJV And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. (6) And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. (7) And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. (8) And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
Rev 5:9-14 KJV And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; (10) And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. (11) And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; (12) Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. (13) And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. (14) And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.
Rev 4:6-9 KJV And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. (7) And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. (8) And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. (9) And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,
Rev 6:1-2 KJV And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. (2) And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.
Here we are friends looking at the white horseman. There are many possibilities that could make up the white horseman. Some might seem obvious others may not in many cases. We will be exploring many possibilities for all the horsemen in Revelation 6. Today we are focusing on the white horseman.
The first mention of the color white does not come in the word form white. Many folks may find it a surprise that this is the word used for the name of Jacob’s tricky father-in-law Laban. He is first mentioned in Genesis 24. Here he is the brother-in-law of Isaac. We primarily want to focus on 2 things at this point. Those being Laban and the territory in which he lived.
Gen 24:1-9 KJV And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things. (2) And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh: (3) And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell: (4) But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac. (5) And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest? (6) And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my son thither again. (7) The LORD God of heaven, which took me from my father's house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spake unto me, and that sware unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land; he shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence. (8) And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again. (9) And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and sware to him concerning that matter.
So we have a couple of things to explore here for a bit. There are 2 specific requirements in finding Isaac God’s chosen covenant child a wife. One that the woman must be willing to relocate. That Isaac was not to go any where near the land that God had called Abraham out of. In the event the woman chose not to return it would be left up to God to provide Isaac a wife of His choosing. We have to remember friends that by this point in time God and Abraham knew each another’s mindsets pretty well. We certainly see no harm in saying that.
The names we most often associate to this territory biblically speaking are Padanaram and Haran. This was considered Syria then and now. We hope the folks at the Bible Hub encyclopedia won’t mind us using their map.
The following comes out of Fausset’s Bible Dictionary.
Padan Aram
"The flat land of Aram," contrasted with the more mountainous region of the N. and N.E. of Mesopotamia (Hos_12:12), "the field (sedeh) of Aram" (Gen_25:20), the same as Aram Naharaim, "Aram of the two rivers," or Mesopotamia. (See MESOPOTAMIA.) (Gen_24:10). Aram expresses the highland of Syria, contrasted with the lowland of Canaan. The land between Tigris and Euphrates is a vast flat, except where the Sinjar range intersects it. The home of Rebekah, Laban, etc.
The following comes out of the ISBE (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia)
Paddan-Aram
pad´an-ā´ram or pad´an-âr´am (ארם פּדּן, paddan 'ărām; Septuagint Μεσοποταμία τῆς Συρίας, Mesopotamı́a tḗs Surı́as; the King James Version Padan-aram): In Gen_48:7, Paddan stands alone, but as the Septuagint, Sam, and Peshitta read “Aram” also, it must in this verse have dropped out of the Massoretic Text. In the time of Abraham, padanu occurs on the Babylonian contract-tablets as a land measure, to which we may compare the Arabic feddān or “ox-gang.” In the Assyrian syllabaries it is the equivalent of iklu, “a field,” so that Paddan-aram would mean “the field of Aram,” and with this we may compare Hos_12:12 (Hebrew 12:13) and the use of the Hebrew sādheh in connection with Moab and Edom (Jdg_5:4; Rth_1:6). _ Furthermore, padanu and harranu are given as synonyms with the meaning of “road.”
Paddan-aram occurs only in the Priestly Code (P), but it corresponds to the “Haran” of the older documents. The versions agree in translating both as Mesopotamia, and identify with the home of the patriarchs and the scene of Jacob's exile the district of Haran to the East of the Upper Euphrates valley. More in harmony with the length of Jacob's flight, as indicated by the time given (Gen_31:22, Gen_31:23), is Harran-el-‛Awamid, an ancient site 10 miles to the East of Damascus, which satisfies all the demands of history. See ARAM.
Gen 24:13-17 KJV Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water: (14) And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master. (15) And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder. (16) And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up. (17) And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher.
Gen 24:24-28 KJV And she said unto him, I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, which she bare unto Nahor. (25) She said moreover unto him, We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in. (26) And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the LORD. (27) And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master's brethren. (28) And the damsel ran, and told them of her mother's house these things.
Gen 24:29-35 KJV And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was LabanH3837: and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the well. (30) And it came to pass, when he saw the earring and bracelets upon his sister's hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, Thus spake the man unto me; that he came unto the man; and, behold, he stood by the camels at the well. (31) And he said, Come in, thou blessed of the LORD; wherefore standest thou without? for I have prepared the house, and room for the camels. (32) And the man came into the house: and he ungirded his camels, and gave straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet, and the men's feet that were with him. (33) And there was set meat before him to eat: but he said, I will not eat, until I have told mine errand. And he said, Speak on. (34) And he said, I am Abraham's servant. (35) And the LORD hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become great: and he hath given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and menservants, and maidservants, and camels, and asses.
לָבָן
lâbân
law-bawn'
The same as H3836; Laban, a Mesopotamian; also a place in the Desert: - Laban.
Total KJV occurrences: 55
H3836
לָבֵן לָבָן
lâbân lâbên
law-bawn', law-bane'
From H3835; white: - white.
Total KJV occurrences: 29
We thought this was pretty interesting when we ran across it. Actually for a couple of reasons. Laban tricked Jacob into 14 years of servitude by reneging on a deal for Rachel his younger daughter.
Gen 28:1-7 KJV And Isaac called Jacob, and blessed him, and charged him, and said unto him, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan. (2) Arise, go to Padanaram, to the house of Bethuel thy mother's father; and take thee a wife from thence of the daughters of Laban thy mother's brother. (3) And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people; (4) And give thee the blessing of Abraham, to thee, and to thy seed with thee; that thou mayest inherit the land wherein thou art a stranger, which God gave unto Abraham. (5) And Isaac sent away Jacob: and he went to Padanaram unto Laban, son of Bethuel the Syrian, the brother of Rebekah, Jacob's and Esau's mother. (6) When Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob, and sent him away to Padanaram, to take him a wife from thence; and that as he blessed him he gave him a charge, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan; (7) And that Jacob obeyed his father and his mother, and was gone to Padanaram;
Gen 28:10-16 KJV And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran. (11) And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. (12) And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. (13) And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; (14) And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. (15) And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of. (16) And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not.
Gen 29:1 KJV Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east.
Gen 29:10-18 KJV And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother. (11) And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept. (12) And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father's brother, and that he was Rebekah's son: and she ran and told her father. (13) And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sister's son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house. And he told Laban all these things. (14) And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space of a month. (15) And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what shall thy wages be? (16) And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. (17) Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured. (18) And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.
Gen 29:19-25 KJV And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me. (20) And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her. (21) And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her. (22) And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast. (23) And it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him; and he went in unto her. (24) And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid for an handmaid. (25) And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?
Gen 29:26 KJV And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn.
Friends we have great reason to believe this was an out and out lie. There was no such custom in the land as Laban stated.
Matthew Henry’s Bible Commentary
IV. The excuse and atonement Laban made for the cheat. 1. The excuse was frivolous: It must not be so done in our country, Gen_29:26. We have reason to think there was no such custom of his country as he pretends; only he banters Jacob with it, and laughs at his mistake. Note, Those that can do wickedly and then think to turn it off with a jest, though they may deceive themselves and others, will find at last that God is not mocked. But if there had been such a custom, and he had resolved to observe it, he should have told Jacob so when he undertook to serve him for his younger daughter. Note, As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceeds from the wicked, 1Sa_24:13. Those that deal with treacherous men must expect to be dealt treacherously with 2.
1Sa 24:13 KJV As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.
This is how we feel about this at the ministry. We just thought it better you hear it from an independent source.
Gen 29:27-29 KJV Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years. (28) And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also. (29) And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his handmaid to be her maid.
Gen 30:22-26 KJV And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb. (23) And she conceived, and bare a son; and said, God hath taken away my reproach: (24) And she called his name Joseph; and said, The LORD shall add to me another son. (25) And it came to pass, when Rachel had born Joseph, that Jacob said unto Laban, Send me away, that I may go unto mine own place, and to my country. (26) Give me my wives and my children, for whom I have served thee, and let me go: for thou knowest my service which I have done thee.
Gen 30:27-31 KJV And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favour in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by experience that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake. (28) And he said, Appoint me thy wages, and I will give it. (29) And he said unto him, Thou knowest how I have served thee, and how thy cattle was with me. (30) For it was little which thou hadst before I came, and it is now increased unto a multitude; and the LORD hath blessed thee since my coming: and now when shall I provide for mine own house also? (31) And he said, What shall I give thee? And Jacob said, Thou shalt not give me any thing: if thou wilt do this thing for me, I will again feed and keep thy flock:
Gen 30:32-35 KJV I will pass through all thy flock to day, removing from thence all the speckled and spotted cattle, and all the brown cattle among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats: and of such shall be my hire. (33) So shall my righteousness answer for me in time to come, when it shall come for my hire before thy face: every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and brown among the sheep, that shall be counted stolen with me. (34) And Laban said, Behold, I would it might be according to thy word. (35) And he removed that day the he goats that were ringstraked and spotted, and all the she goats that were speckled and spotted, and every one that had some white in it, and all the brown among the sheep, and gave them into the hand of his sons.
Gen 30:36-41 KJV And he set three days' journey betwixt himself and Jacob: and Jacob fed the rest of Laban's flocks. (37) And Jacob took him rods of green poplar, and of the hazel and chesnut tree; and pilled white strakes in them, and made the white appear which was in the rods. (38) And he set the rods which he had pilled before the flocks in the gutters in the watering troughs when the flocks came to drink, that they should conceive when they came to drink. (39) And the flocks conceived before the rods, and brought forth cattle ringstraked, speckled, and spotted. (40) And Jacob did separate the lambs, and set the faces of the flocks toward the ringstraked, and all the brown in the flock of Laban; and he put his own flocks by themselves, and put them not unto Laban's cattle. (41) And it came to pass, whensoever the stronger cattle did conceive, that Jacob laid the rods before the eyes of the cattle in the gutters, that they might conceive among the rods.
Gen 30:42-43 KJV But when the cattle were feeble, he put them not in: so the feebler were Laban's, and the stronger Jacob's. (43) And the man increased exceedingly, and had much cattle, and maidservants, and menservants, and camels, and asses.
Gen 31:1-7 KJV And he heard the words of Laban's sons, saying, Jacob hath taken away all that was our father's; and of that which was our father's hath he gotten all this glory. (2) And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before. (3) And the LORD said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee. (4) And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field unto his flock, (5) And said unto them, I see your father's countenance, that it is not toward me as before; but the God of my father hath been with me. (6) And ye know that with all my power I have served your father. (7) And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me.
In the process of detailing this journey we read commentaries which suggested that Laban and his people served the same God as Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. This clearly is not the case. The scripture as we move forward will clearly demonstrate this. Actually Jacob’s own words tell us as much.
Gen 31:8-16 KJV If he said thus, The speckled shall be thy wages; then all the cattle bare speckled: and if he said thus, The ringstraked shall be thy hire; then bare all the cattle ringstraked. (9) Thus God hath taken away the cattle of your father, and given them to me. (10) And it came to pass at the time that the cattle conceived, that I lifted up mine eyes, and saw in a dream, and, behold, the rams which leaped upon the cattle were ringstraked, speckled, and grisled. (11) And the angel of God spake unto me in a dream, saying, Jacob: And I said, Here am I. (12) And he said, Lift up now thine eyes, and see, all the rams which leap upon the cattle are ringstraked, speckled, and grisled: for I have seen all that Laban doeth unto thee. (13) I am the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred. (14) And Rachel and Leah answered and said unto him, Is there yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father's house? (15) Are we not counted of him strangers? for he hath sold us, and hath quite devoured also our money. (16) For all the riches which God hath taken from our father, that is ours, and our children's: now then, whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do.
Jacob flees Laban by Charles Foster, 1897.
Gen 31:17-21 KJV Then Jacob rose up, and set his sons and his wives upon camels; (18) And he carried away all his cattle, and all his goods which he had gotten, the cattle of his getting, which he had gotten in Padanaram, for to go to Isaac his father in the land of Canaan. (19) And Laban went to shear his sheep: and Rachel had stolen the images that were her father's. (20) And Jacob stole away unawares to Laban the Syrian, in that he told him not that he fled. (21) So he fled with all that he had; and he rose up, and passed over the river, and set his face toward the mount Gilead.
Gen 31:19 KJV And Laban went to shear his sheep: and Rachel had stolen the imagesH8655 that were her father's.
H8655
תְּרָפִים
terâphı̂ym
ter-aw-feme'
Plural perhaps from H7495; a healer; Teraphim (singular or plural) a family idol: - idols (-atry), images, teraphim.
Total KJV occurrences: 15
The Brown Driver Briggs definition
The Brown Driver Briggs definition
H8655
תּרפים
terâphı̂ym
BDB Definition:
1) idolatry, idols, image(s), teraphim, family idol
1a) a kind of idol used in household shrine or worship
Part of Speech: noun masculine
A Related Word by BDB/Strong’s Number: plural from H7495
Same Word by TWOT Number: 2545
We are not sure where the notion that Laban feared the same God as Abraham, Isaac and Jacob came from. Someone apparently was not getting the whole picture here.
Gen 31:22-28 KJV And it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob was fled. (23) And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven days' journey; and they overtook him in the mount Gilead. (24) And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad. (25) Then Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mount: and Laban with his brethren pitched in the mount of Gilead. (26) And Laban said to Jacob, What hast thou done, that thou hast stolen away unawares to me, and carried away my daughters, as captives taken with the sword? (27) Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp? (28) And hast not suffered me to kiss my sons and my daughters? thou hast now done foolishly in so doing.
Gen 31:29-32 KJV It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt: but the God of your father spake unto me yesternight, saying, Take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad. (30) And now, though thou wouldest needs be gone, because thou sore longedst after thy father's house, yet wherefore hast thou stolen my gods? (31) And Jacob answered and said to Laban, Because I was afraid: for I said, Peradventure thou wouldest take by force thy daughters from me. (32) With whomsoever thou findest thy gods, let him not live: before our brethren discern thou what is thine with me, and take it to thee. For Jacob knew not that Rachel had stolen them.
Gen 31:33-40 KJV And Laban went into Jacob's tent, and into Leah's tent, and into the two maidservants' tents; but he found them not. Then went he out of Leah's tent, and entered into Rachel's tent. (34) Now Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the camel's furniture, and sat upon them. And Laban searched all the tent, but found them not. (35) And she said to her father, Let it not displease my lord that I cannot rise up before thee; for the custom of women is upon me. And he searched, but found not the images. (36) And Jacob was wroth, and chode with Laban: and Jacob answered and said to Laban, What is my trespass? what is my sin, that thou hast so hotly pursued after me? (37) Whereas thou hast searched all my stuff, what hast thou found of all thy household stuff? set it here before my brethren and thy brethren, that they may judge betwixt us both. (38) 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. (39) 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. (40) Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes.
Friends we have seen at almost every turn Laban tried to find ways to keep Jacob around. The family obviously could not be worshipers of the 1 true God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Perhaps in response to her dad’s trickery regarding her and Jacob Rachel took the idol gods out of Laban’s home. There are no scriptures to support the notion she was devoted to the false idols and images. Some commentaries disagree on this particular subject.
Gen 31:41-44 KJV Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times. (42) Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight. (43) And Laban answered and said unto Jacob, These daughters are my daughters, and these children are my children, and these cattle are my cattle, and all that thou seest is mine: and what can I do this day unto these my daughters, or unto their children which they have born? (44) Now therefore come thou, let us make a covenant, I and thou; and let it be for a witness between me and thee.
Gen 31:45-49 KJV And Jacob took a stone, and set it up for a pillar. (46) And Jacob said unto his brethren, Gather stones; and they took stones, and made an heap: and they did eat there upon the heap. (47) And Laban called it JegarsahaduthaH3026: but Jacob called it GaleedH1567. (48) And Laban said, This heap is a witness between me and thee this day. Therefore was the name of it called Galeed; (49) And Mizpah; for he said, The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.
H3026
יְגַר שַׂהֲדוּתָא
yegar śahădûthâ'
yegar' sah-had-oo-thaw'
(Chaldee); from a word derived from an unused root (meaning to gather) and a derivative of a root corresponding to H7717; heap of the testimony; Jegar-Sahadutha, a cairn East of the Jordan: - Jegar-Sahadutha.
Total KJV occurrences: 1
H1567
גַּלְעֵד
galyêd
gal-ade'
From H1530 and H5707; heap of testimony; Galed, a memorial cairn East of the Jordan: - Galeed.
Total KJV occurrences: 2
However as we discover with the passing of history any kinship, acquaintance or friendship is done away with over time. Much as the case regarding Jacob and Esau. Although the 2 brothers were at peace amongst themselves time obviously deteriorated all the above.
The same can be said for Isaac and Ishmael. If we remember our history correctly we understand that Esau and Ishamel became in laws to one another. There are characteristics of Laban that may apply to the white horseman of Revelation 6. Not saying he is the rider by any means. This has just been an exploration of Laban’s history in the Bible.
Rev 6:1-2 KJV And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. (2) And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.
Many expect the rider of this horse to be the antichrist himself.
Joh 8:42-47 KJV Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. (43) Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. (44) Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. (45) And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. (46) Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? (47) He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
Joh 10:7-11 KJV Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. (8) All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. (9) I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. (10) The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (11) I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
It can be seen that Laban was a man of greed. He was obviously a liar or a trickster which ever you prefer. We also feel that if he had not been confronted by the God of Jacob Laban may have tried to murder Jacob and take all he had back to Syria with him.
We are not saying this is who the white horseman is. We do know that the antichrist will manipulate a false peace with Israel if not the world. He will do this by lying and trickery. It’s a given that this horseman will have a blood lust for Israel and true Christianity.
Mat 24:24-25 KJV For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. (25) Behold, I have told you before.
There are people out there that place the 4 horsemen of Revelatiion in step with the 4 biblical empires that Daniel saw. Syria was also an empire as we stated earlier. They had already arisen and been defeated by the Babylon. There are certain charcteristics as we mentioned Laban had as we stated above that the antichrist may share. We do know that even as we speak Syria and Israel do not get along very well.
However as we have explored in Zechariah the Syrian empire was 1 of the 4 which scattered Israel and Judah. The Median-Persian empire released the Israelites who were brought to Babylon by the Babylonians.
This is the first look of many at the 4 horsemen of Revelation 6. There are many subjects we can explore concerning all 4 of them. As we have closed out many journeys as of lately so shall we this one.
Mat 11:25-30 KJV At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. (26) Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. (27) All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. (28) Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (29) Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (30) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
However as we have also stated this will not always be an easy choice. Especially the longer one puts it off could be inviting the side of our Messiah they may not like so much.
Rev 19:1-10 KJV And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: (2) For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. (3) And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever. (4) And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia. (5) And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. (6) And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. (7) Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. (8) And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. (9) And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. (10) And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
Mat 22:1-7 KJV And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, (2) The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, (3) And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. (4) Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. (5) But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: (6) And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. (7) But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
Mat 22:8-14 KJV Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. (9) Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. (10) So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. (11) And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: (12) And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. (13) Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (14) For many are called, but few are chosen.
Rev 19:11-21 KJV And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. (12) His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. (13) And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. (14) And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. (15) And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. (16) And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. (17) And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; (18) That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. (19) And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. (20) And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. (21) And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
As always thanks for sharing a word
God Bless
