“And Jacob journeyed to Succoth, and built him an house, and made booths for his cattle: therefore the name of the place is called Succoth.” (Ge 33:17 AV)
The name Succoth means booths. The meaning is obvious. Jacob settled in this place and built himself a house and booths for his cattle before continuing his journey to Isaac. Jacob has just lived a few months of extreme stress. He ran from Laban with his wives, concubines, children, servants, and cattle. Rachel had stolen her father’s idols and he was in pursuit to retrieve them. By the grace of God Jacob was delivered. God came to Laban in a dream and threatened his life if he harmed Jacob in any way. They had a serious altercation and decided it was best to part ways for the rest of their natural life. Neither could communicate with the other. Then Jacob found that his elder brother Esau, was coming to meet him. Jacob was on his way back to Isaac and Esau heard about it. This upset Jacob more than Laban. Esau, at one time, swore to kill Jacob if he ever got the chance. Jacob sent much ahead as a way to appease Esau. When they met, Esau affirmed Jacob rather than confront him. God had blessed Esau more than he could have imagined and felt Jacob was not a threat at all. In fact, the reunion was sweet. When they parted, Jacob came to Succoth, built a house and booths for his cattle, and stayed there for a brief time. He would leave there and go on to Shechem. Eventually, he would meet his father, dwell with him, and then bury him.
The journey from Laban’s land to what would eventually be Israel was not an easy one. Jacob drove his flock hard for three days but when he heard Laban was on his trail, he drove them until Laban caught up with him. They could not stay in Mizpah very long because it would have violated the agreement Jacob had with Laban. So, off they went again. For months, his family and cattle were on the move. He drove them hard. When these crises were over, the first thing Jacob did was provide rest for those whom he drove so hard. He stopped. He let them catch their breath. He built them semi-permanent structures to provide protection, community, and rest. Jacob is a wise steward. He proved this with the caring of Laban’s flocks. He knew how it all worked. He knew how to feed, protect, water, and breed them. What he learned with the flocks he translated over all which he was endowed with, including his family. Note also that Jacob built booths and not a single booth. This means he has several booths located throughout his pastures and booths back by his house. This was not a month’s stay. We don’t know how long he was there, but the provision he made was functional. Jacob was wise in that he cared for those who trusted and followed him.
A good leader understands the limits of those who follow. Most of all, he needs to know his own limits. Jacob needed to decompress. He needed to slow down and allow the emotional battles he had just fought to work themselves out. Soon, he would return to a dying father and if he does not take some downtime, he will be of no use to him. He did not allow the guilt of being away to overrule the need for rest and refreshment. We need to do the same. Otherwise, we will burn out. We will put everything we have in the beginning, but if we do not take time to rest and refresh, somewhere down the road, we will burn out and not care too much about what God has called us to do. Just one more point. Jacob did get up from that place of booths and move one to Shechem. He did not stay there. He knew he had to be with Isaac and that God had called him to that place. Canaan was his from the promises made to Abraham. As needful as Succoth was, it wasn’t where God ultimately wanted him. So, erect those booths. Take the time you need to recover from overwhelming battles. Just be prepared that when God says to go where He wants you, you are not tempted to stay where you are.
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