# 30 2023 Dev. Gen.31:3. God with us! Read all of chapter thirty one first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.
Gen.31:3 “Then the Lord said to Jacob, ‘Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you.’”
Gen.31 In spite of Laban’s schemes Jacob continued to acquire more and more livestock. It became a bone of contention between them. Jacob had practiced divination with his pealed branches but an angel of the Lord came to him in a dream showing him that it was God controlling his well being. He also told him to go back to Canaan and that God would be with him.
Vs.1-13 Jacob realizes that he has lost favor with Laban. In a dream Jacob is told to return the land of Canaan. Now he has to convince his wives that it is time to leave. He relays to them the dream when the angel of the Lord shows him that God is in control and that it was God who blesses them.
Vs.14-21 “Then Rachel and Leah replied. ‘Not only has he sold us, but he used up what was paid for us (14 years of free labor by Jacob). Surely all the wealth that God took away from our father belong to us and our children. So do whatever God has told you.’” After all that it is surprising to see that “Rachel stole her father’s household gods.” I suppose she was struggling with what we sometimes struggle with when facing an uncertain situation, doubt. Since Laban was away Jacob took the opportunity to leave and not telling Laban. Jacob was also struggling with doubt.
Vs. 22-35 After pursuing Jacob for a week here is little doubt that Laban intended to take back what he perceived to be his, probably the flock if not his daughters. But God intervened and warned him “not to say anything good or bad” to Jacob. But Laban had an excuse to charge Jacob with theft, someone had taken his house hold gods. Jacob did not know Rachel had taken the gods, he made a foolish statement, the person who took the gods shall not live! Laban searched but Rachal deceived him and he did not find his gods.
Vs.36-42 “Jacob was angry and took Laban to task. ‘What is my crime? How have I wronged you that you hunt me down?’” Jacob then reminded Laban of how he had tried to cheat him. “If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me, you would surely have sent me away empty – handed. But God has seen my hardship and the toil of my hands, and last night he rebuked you.”
This is what we see again and again in the experience of Jacob, God is with His people, God is with us in spite of our failures and our doubts. Praise be to God!
Vs.43-55 Laban responded “all you see is mine” But there is nothing I can do. “Come now, let’s make a covenant, you and I, and let it serve as a witness between us.” Finally, there is reconciliation between Laban and Jacob and now between two separate households.
Everything can be settled if both sided are humble and willing. Laban acknowledged God, “remember that God is a witness between you and me.”“So Jacob took an oath in the name of the Fear (God) of his father Isaac. He offered a sacrifice there in the hill country and invited his relatives to a meal…Early the next morning Laban kissed his grand children and his daughters and blessed them, Then he left and returned home.” A good ending to a bad situation, God is good!
© cgvanwyk, all rights reserved.
Heavenhigh 