Gen 31
At the end of Chapter 30 we are told that Jacob had become very rich with many flocks, female and male slaves, and camels and donkeys.
I want you to remember: Gen 28:15 – GOD SAYS: “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go – I will bring you back to this land – I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised!”
God is WITH Jacob – God is watching over Jacob – what does this mean?
1st – Where God is – there is a blessing!
2 – When God is watching over someone – that means His providence is upon them.
God’s providence is also His provision – and His provision is more than enough!
Now – God has been blessing Jacob, and building up wealth - in the land – which is not the promised land.
Brothers and Sisters – When God is with you, it doesn’t matter where you are – you are still within His reach! And when you are within His reach, He can bless you! But that does not mean life will be easy!
People will still cause drama!
Gen 31: 1-2
There it is! People start talking –it doesn’t matter if they have all the details or not, if they know the truth or not – it does not matter – PEOPLE WILL TALK
Guys we are all flawed – we all make mistakes – but that does not mean there is an excuse to talk and gossip and rumor!
Notice what it says: the sons were talking, and then Jacob NOTICED in Laban’s face that the attitude toward him has changed. When people start talking, it is contagious – and believe it or not – there are physical signs of gossip! You can’t hide the facial features or eye movements!
All Jacob was doing is following the Lord – being blessed by the Lord – and the drama stated.
Gen 31:3
God says it is time to go!
Trust me, when God puts you on notice – on mission – you OBEY! No hesitation!
What does God say – GO, and I WILL BE WITH YOU
As much to say that I will be with you MORE in Canaan than I ever have been in this place – I will be with you MORE in the PROMISED LAND, that I ever have been in this land.
Lets pause for a moment:
What does Jacob know right now?
1. The Journey will be risky
a. He has a family to think about
b. It is a long journey
c. The path ahead is unknown – the dangers are large
d. It is a long journey – yeah I listed that twice
e. He is taking his family from the KNOWN
i. Even though the known is not great – known = comfort
f. Taking them to the unknown
i. ONLY JACOB has ever been to the place they are going
ii. This is a foreign land to all of his family
iii. Unknown is scary
2. Laban will NOT like this!
a. Laban will do whatever it takes to keep Jacob there
b. He is a scoundrel
3. Esau
a. Remember that Esau wanted to kill Jacob over the birthright and blessing
b. So the journey may end in violence
4. God said – “I AM WITH YOU”
a. That’s enough
b. It doesn’t matter if those whom you love turn against you
c. It doesn’t matter if those you worked with forever turn against you
d. It doesn’t matter if those who you rely on turn against you
i. When God says I AM WITH YOU – there is NONE WHO CAN STAND AGAINST!
So Jacob tells his family that it is time to go.
Between verses 4-9 we learn:
• Laban changed Jacob’s wages 10 times
• That Laban has cheated Jacob
• BUT that God has blessed Jacob and Verse 9 tells us everything:
o Verse 9 – God has taken away from your father’s heards and given them to me!
He speaks about a dream where God says:
Verse 13
I am the God of Bethel
The God of Bethel is the God who concerns himself with the earth and His people – not some distant god! Our Father in heaven does not shut himself up and remain a mystery – He walks with us, in our lives, watching our pain, and helping!
At the place God is referring to there was this vision of a LADDER fixed between heaven and earth with angels coming and going – and God HIMSELF came down that ladder –
This is a vision that shows that God is concerned with His creation and His people, and His angels are moving around constantly doing God’s work behind the scenes – that God is present HERE!
Verse 14-16
HE HAS SOLD US – that is a lot of family love felt right there – they were each worth 7 years to Laban – and they know that Laban had already squandered away anything that he would have earned anyway.
Real quick: parents – don’t let your children think that all they are worth is money, or material. Make sure your children know that you love them! Because if you simply ‘think’ they know, that is not good enough!
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So they head out – BUT on the way –
Verse 19
Guys sometimes the people you love will hurt you as well. Now Jacob has no idea that this happened. Rachel could have been trying to hurt Laban, or, could have just been afraid to let go of all she had ever known – and the idols brought comfort.
We do that sometimes don’t we? God calls us to let go and do something new, but we hold on to something from the past, we don’t fully let go.
So they head out – and Laban finds out:
He is MAD – furious – and starts tracking them down.
You know he has bad intentions – because God intervenes:
Verse 24
If God says WATCH YOURSELF – you better take notice!
God gives Laban a major warning – you don’t say anything good or bad – let me put it this way – YOU BETTER WATCH YOUR STEP, AND YOUR MOUTH!
I don’t know why but this really seems like a scolding to me!
Clayton will get in trouble and what do I say? = YOU BETTER WATCH YOURSELF!
Get your rear in check right?
After 7 days journey Laban catches Jacob and they converse – of course Laban is furious, but cautious – and his attitude has changed – He wants to kiss his daughters and grand children.
Verse 26-30
Of course He searches for the idols and can’t find any.
Now Jacob has had enough and turns the tables:
36-42
We learn a lot, the entire time Jacob was with Laban – the character of Jacob and how it had changed
From deceiver, to honest laborer.
He bore the losses – did not pass them along.
And FULLY CREDITS GOD –
This chapter ends on a high note:
Laban and Jacob make an agreement and covenant to not do each other harm, but also that Jacob would not have any other wives.
Jacob swears by God – and then invites Laban to a meal – and the following day, Laban leaves after loving on his family.
There is a lot that happens in this chapter:
What I really want you to notice is the vast difference between 2 groups of people.
Those that follow God, are on mission for God – when I say this what I mean is that the person to whom God has given a mission – follow it. It does not mean that life is easy,
