"I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and where you made a vow to me. Now leave this land at once and go back to your native land."
-Genesis 31:13
On Thursday we learned about Jacob building his wealth. Last time we learned about Jacob finding his wives and having children. Now Jacob is starting to settle down, having finished working fourteen years for Laban to get Rachel as his wife. Jacob wants to return to his homeland along with his family. This is a natural thing for Jacob to do, since he has been away from his hometown for fourteen. However, Laban saw the value of Jacob's work, and he asked Jacob to stay and work for him. Remember that Jacob was cheated by Laban, when Laban gave him Leah rather than Rachel. Jacob had every right to decline Laban's offer to work for him. Without even consulting God, Jacob agrees to work for Laban, in exchange for some flocks.
Jacob proposed that his wages should be every dark-colored lamb and every spotted or speckled goat. Laban agreed, but then tried to cheat Jacob again. Laban removed all of the animals that would have been part of Jacob's wages, to make sure that Jacob wouldn't be able to breed the speckled and spotted goats. Laban again tries to cheat Jacob of the agreed contract, revealing that Laban truly has little regard for Jacob. Even though Laban tried to reduce Jacob's flock, Jacob still was able to breed the goats and lambs. Jacob worked diligently to take care of the flocks, and God rewarded him by giving him many strong speckled and spotted goats.
After working for Laban a couple years, Jacob receives a message from God telling him to leave to his hometown. It is revealed that Laban changed Jacob's wages ten times, to try and take advantage of Jacob. Jacob finally recognizes that God has been watching and protecting him in his times of struggle. Jacob decides to obey God, and he leaves to his hometown, without telling Laban. Laban pursues Jacob, but is warned by God not to say anything to Jacob. Laban reaches Jacob, and they make a covenant with each other.
So what can be learned from this passage? One thing that I see is that God was faithful to Jacob. Even though Laban tried to take advantage of Jacob many times, God never let Laban be successful. Jacob was able to greatly increase his flocks because of God's grace. God also taught Jacob resilience, by making him work with Laban for many years. While the work was tiring, God never let Jacob get overburdened. I am reminded of the verse in 1 Corinthians, "And God is faithful, He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear". God never put Jacob through anything he could not bear.
Jacob proved that he was a hard worker. When he worked for Laban, he did so with great diligence. Laban tried to take advantage of Jacob's good work. Contrary to Laban, God saw Jacob's good work and rewarded him with great wealth. God sees when we work diligently for Him, and He will surely reward us. Even if times seem tough, if we work for God, He will be faithful. God loves us so much, and while it may seem like He is allowing us to go through difficult times, we can take assurance that He is doing all things for our good.
-Smart
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