IT IS TIME TO MOVE ON
Genesis 30:25-26 (NIV) "25 After Rachel gave birth to Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, “Send me on my way so I can go back to my own homeland. 26 Give me my wives and children, for whom I have served you, and I will be on my way. You know how much work I’ve done for you.”
INTRODUCTION:
This might be the time for you to move on with your life and leave the past behind.
This might be the time for you to be forward looking and make a decision to advance further.
Many people are still stuck up with the past failures and mistakes they made.
They have difficulty moving on.
Sad to say, they lack the boldness and the resolve to achieve their dreams.
Are you one of them?
That is what we are going to talk about today.
It is time to move on.
We will study the highlights of Genesis 30.
This chapter is actually divided into three parts.
The first part is all about the growing family of Jacob with children being born from Rachel, Leah and their maidservants.
This is how the twelve tribes of Israel came about.
Remember that there are twelve tribes of Israel.
Out of Leah came four sons:
Reuben means "see, a son."
Simeon - means "hearing."
Levi - means "joined, or attached."
And Judah means "Yahweh be praised."
Then, out of Bilhah (Rachel's servant) were born Dan - means "judge"
Napthali - means "My wrestling"
Then, out of Zilpah, (Leah's maidservant) weer born Gad - means "troop, invader or good fortune."
Then, Asher - means "happy"
There were two more sons born of Leah:
Issachar - means "Man of fire"
and Zebulun - means "dwelling"
Then, finally, Rachel had two sons:
Joseph - means "Increaser" and the youngest, Benjamin means "Son of the right hand."
The reason why the servants were involved in the child bearing is found in verse 3.
When Rachel saw that she was not bearing any children from Jacob, she became jealous and said:
“Here is Bilhah, my servant. Sleep with her so that she can bear children for me and I too can build a family through her.”
She wanted to build a family by her own efforts.
She cannot wait for God to give her children of her own, so she had to solve her own problem by creating more problems.
That is human nature.
The second part of this chapter is his request to his father in law to move on so that he could go back to his own homeland.
He realized that it is time for him to cut his dependency from Laban and to start his own life.
It took him a long time but finally, he wanted to move forward.
He made some final planning and preparations so that he could get as much livestock as possible from Laban.
The last part of the chapter is a fitting conclusion of the chapter regarding the man who was abundantly blessed by God.
In assessing his properties, he discovered that he own large flocks, and female and male servants, and camels and donkeys.
This is a picture of the man who began owning nothing when he went to a place he has never been before.
He started as a slave and worked hard himself until he had tremendous properties of his own greater than his master.
This is what God will do to people who fulfill God's purpose and destiny for their lives.
All your dreams can be achieved when God is there.
And so, there are three lessons that we are going to learn from this chapter:
1. In relation to his growing family, he discovered that there is a root of bitterness and envy that is also being manifested.
2. In relation to his future, he resolved that it is time to make a decision to go home.
3. In relation to his possession, he observed how abundantly God has blessed him so far.
Everyday, we also learn important lessons about life and we make our decision based on what we have observed about ourselves and our circumstances.
Sometimes, we are so overwhelmed with sin that we do not move forward in faith.
However, to those who move on can achieve their dreams and fulfill their destiny.
And so, where are you at this time?
Let us learn from the life of Jacob.
THE STAGES OF LIFE
1. THE DISCOVERY: THE ROOT OF ENVY IS PRESENT IN THE FAMILY
Genesis 30:1 (NIV) "And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die."
The first thing we can notice in the life of Jacob is that his family is growing.
Children were being born from his wife Leah.
And with the growing family, there will always be relationship problems along the way.
And one of that is the entrance of envy and jealousy in the family.
Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children while Leah had children.
And so, she envied her sister.
She even went to the extent of demanding Jacob: "Give me children or else I die."
And so, since Jacob could not do anything about it, she devised a plan to solve her own problem by offering her maidservant to Jacob.
What a foolish action to a woman consumed with envy and jealousy.
Many of us don't know about it, but envy and jealously can be present in every family, work, church and organizations.
So, what is envy? Why will this destroy relationships?
Envy means to feel discontent with regards to another's advantages, success and possessions.
That is what happened to Rachel.
Her sister Leah is blessed with children while she has none at all.
And so, she is frustrated, discontent and jealous over the child bearing success of her sister.
Envy and jealousy are very close in meaning.
Envy denotes a longing to possess something awarded to or achieved by another.
Jealousy on the other hand denotes a feeling of resentment that another has gained more something that one more rightfully deserves.
Envy is the emotion solicited when somebody has something that you want for yourself.
Jealousy is felt anytime there is a threat to something that is of value to an individual with the thought that it can be taken away from you.
Envy is the burning desire to have, to covet what another has. It usually involves two people.
While jealousy is the burning desire to keep, to possess what one has.
It usually involves three people.
So, these are the two sins that Jacob discovered present in his growing family: envy and jealousy.
Instead of love, encouragement and appreciation, there is hatred, ill will and malice that will be manifested because of envy and jealousy.
Story:
Two shopkeepers were bitter rivals.
Their stores were directly across the street from each other, and they would spend each day keeping track of each other's business.
If one got a customer, he would smile in triumph at his rival.
One night an angel appeared to one of the shopkeepers in a dream and said,
"I will give you anything you ask, but whatever you receive, your competitor will receive twice as much.
Would you be rich?
You can be very rich, but he will be twice as wealthy.
Do you wish to live a long and healthy life?
You can, but his life will be longer and healthier.
What is your desire?"
The man frowned, thought for a moment, and then said,
"Here is my request: Strike me blind in one eye!"
This is a picture of a man who has been blinded by envy.
Remember that Cain envied Abel because Abel's offering was accepted by God while Cain's was not.
He became jealous, coveting what had been denied him.
And because of that, anger, bitterness, depression and murder followed.
James 3:16 (NIV) "For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice."
These are the things we hate more: disorder and evil practice.
So, envy and jealousy are sins that we need to destroy and eliminate in our lives.
How can we do that?
How can we prevent these from spreading in the family?
We must first of all detect it and recognize the problem.
These are attitudes that are not pleasing to God.
Instead of focusing and blaming on other people, or on circumstances or on "bad luck", we must focus on the real issue.
Then, when the sin is identified, confess to God and repent from that sin.
Get into God's Word, read it and study it diligently.
God's Word will always bring conviction as we learn to obey it.
Then, it would even be better to get involved and serve the Lord in any ministry here in our church.
This could lead to more objective and constructive thinking which will aid in bringing your attitudes under control.
But I believe that the best way to overcome envy and jealousy is to develop a thankful attitude toward life and toward the people that you come across with.
Be happy and content with what you have.
Pray for God's double blessings to be upon other people.
Substituting praise for criticism is a good practice that provides encouraging results.
Here are some Scriptures on overcoming envy and jealousy.
1. We must have a sound heart.
“A sound heart is life to the body, but envy is rottenness to the bones” (Proverbs 14:30).
2. We must set our minds on things above.
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory” (Colossians 3:1–4, NIV).
3. We must always stir up one another to love and good works.
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24–25, NIV).
4. We must be content with what we have.
“Let your conduct be without covetousness, and be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5).
2. THE RESOLUTION: IT IS TIME TO MOVE ON
Genesis 30:25-26 (NIV) "25 After Rachel gave birth to Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, “Send me on my way so I can go back to my own homeland. 26 Give me my wives and children, for whom I have served you, and I will be on my way. You know how much work I’ve done for you.”
The second thing that we can learn from this chapter is when Jacob decided that it is time for him to move on in life.
"Send me on my way," he said to his father in law, Laban.
He has served Laban for many long years.
He has been dependent on Laban for a long long time since he arrived in Haran.
It is time to flex his own muscles and build his own family and business.
It is time that he will not just be an ordinary worker but a business owner.
This is his resolution.
He has the determination, the fortitude and the will power to succeed in life.
This is what we need to do as well.
There must come a time in our lives when we must fly like the eagle and move on to better things.
God has called us for greater opportunities ahead.
However, NOT too many people who could make a decision of moving on in their lives.
In fact, many people have been dependent all their lives.
Many are not challenged that they can make it on their own.
They lack the boldness and the resolve to move on.
They lack the determination and the fortitude.
Why is this so?
What makes them feel that way?
There are many reasons.
One of the problem is with regards to their thinking pattern.
They allow the opinion of others to control their lives.
When that happens, they cannot be able to move on.
They are being discouraged by the people close to them.
"You will never make it! You will fail in life!"
Those words will register deep in their thoughts.
They develop fears because of that.
Another reason why most people cannot move on in their lives is due to the shame of past failures.
Those past failures in business, failures in finances, failures in overcoming a bad habit and failures in decision making can be overwhelming.
When those failures become the center of their thoughts, they become indecisive in their decision making that blocks creativity.
Their passions are not fully energized.
There is low productivity in the use of their talents.
The result?
They choose to do nothing.
They are not able to fix or solve their own problems.
They are going around in circles in their lives.
What should you do when you feel that way?
Remember that everyday that God gives you is a new chance to choose for the better.
It is time to change your perspective over life.
You must flip the switch in your mind from negative to positive thoughts.
Choose to turn on the light and stop fretting about life with insecurity and doubts.
Christ can help you that.
Choose to do the work that you are proud of.
The Holy Spirit can teach you that.
Choose to see the best in others, and show your best to others.
The Bible will give you direction to do that.
When you have God, you can cherish each precious moment of your life's journey.
You are not afraid to face the future.
This is what it means to move forward in life.
You see, life in Christ is a series of character transformation.
Life is constantly evolving.
We are being changed from one degree to another.
That means something new, something better each day as you read God's Word.
You must always embrace the change.
Because everything in life is only temporary.
It won’t last forever.
If things are bad, don’t worry because it won’t last forever either.
Just because life isn’t easy right now, doesn’t mean you can’t laugh.
Just because something is bothering you, doesn’t mean you can’t smile.
Always focus on the positives in your life.
That is what it means to look forward in life.
That is what Jacob was thinking when he told Laban: "Send me on my way."
It will be a new beginning and a new ending for him.
He will get a second chance to do it his way.
We need to make that resolution that it is time to move on.
The Bible is full of instructions on moving forward:
1. We must forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead.
Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV) 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
2. We must not dwell on the past.
Isaiah 43:18 (NIV) "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past."
3. We must overcome self-pity and move on.
Exodus 14:15-16 (NIV) "15 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. 16 Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.
4. We must get up and walk on.
John 5:8 (NIV) "8 Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.”
QUOTES ON MOVING ON:
“Letting go means to come to the realization that some people are a part of your history, but not a part of your destiny.”
― Steve Maraboli
“Even though you may want to move forward in your life, you may have one foot on the brakes. In order to be free, we must learn how to let go. Release the hurt. Release the fear. Refuse to entertain your old pain. The energy it takes to hang onto the past is holding you back from a new life. What is it you would let go of today?”
― Mary Manin Morrissey
“You must make a decision that you are going to move on. It wont happen automatically. You will have to rise up and say, ‘I don’t care how hard this is, I don’t care how disappointed I am, I’m not going to let this get the best of me. I’m moving on with my life.”
― Joel Osteen, Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential
3. THE OBSERVATION: "I AM EXCEEDINGLY BLESSED."
Genesis 30: 43 (NIV) "43 In this way the man grew exceedingly prosperous and came to own large flocks, and female and male servants, and camels and donkeys.
The third thing we can learn from this chapter is the condition of Jacob which was described in the last verse of the chapter.
The man is exceedingly prosperous.
He owned large cattle flocks, male and female servants, camels and donkeys.
He had a good life.
This chapter 30 of Genesis started with a problem in the family: envy and jealousy.
Then, he made a decision of letting go and moving forward after a thorough analysis of his life.
At the end of the chapter, Jacob was not just prosperous, but exceedingly prosperous.
In our time, it means he was not just a millionaire but a billionaire.
That means he was extraordinarily, exceptionally, enormously rich.
This reminds me of Ephesians 3:20 "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us."
That means the blessings that comes from God is cannot be measured.
Christians are abundantly blessed by God with so many spiritual blessings in Christ.
Here are some Scriptures that tells us what those blessings are:
1. We are already blessed when we trust Him.
Psalms 2:12 (NIV) "Blessed are all who take refuge in Him."
2. We are already blessed when we have been forgiven and cleansed from sins.
Psalms 32;1-2 (NIV) "Blessed is the one whose transgression are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit."
3. We are already blessed if we know Jesus and are filled with His life.
Psalms 33:12 (NIV) "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance."
4. We are already blessed when we refuse to conform to the world.
Psalms 1:1-3 (NIV) "Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither - whatever they do prospers."
So, if you have any of these things above, you are already blessed and abundantly blessed by God.
Your name is written in the Book of Life.
You have an inheritance in heaven.
You have peace of mind.
You have eternal life that can never fade away.
You are already blessed.
Is it possible to be exceedingly blessed without realizing it?
Yes. Sad to say, but it is true.
There are many Christians who think that blessings are based only on material wealth and prosperity.
So, if they are not wealthy and have no money, they think they are poor.
They worry a lot and overcome by deep emotional depression.
They become spiritually distressed and felt beaten or crushed by the enemy.
They focused more on the problems of life rather than the spiritual blessings they already have from God.
They are spiritually blind and live a defeated life rather than a victorious Christian life.
It is time to change that attitude.
We are exceedingly blessed by God.
Claim the promise.
Rejoice in that truth.
When that happens, other blessings such as material things will be poured upon your lap as well.
