Jacob and Laban

As I make my way through the Book of Genesis, I am amazed at all of the deceit and cunning that goes on in the lives of Jesus’ ancestors.  For instance, in the story of Jacob and Laban, his uncle and father-in-law, there are several stories of deceit.  Laban makes a pact with Jacob for the hand of his youngest daughter in marriage. Jacob works seven years in fulfillment of that pact, and Laban tricks him into marrying the oldest daughter.  

Later on, Jacob makes a pact with Laban for livestock.  He asks that in exchange for his efforts with the livestock, he receive all of the inferior spotted and striped animals.  Then, he proceeds to use tactics so that the herd breeds spotted and striped animals.   In the end, Jacob ends up fleeing with Laban’s daughters and grandchildren.  Laban chases after him, and thanks to God’s intervention, they end up making peace instead of war.   

How typical of humans to try and control their situation to get the most out of things; to get what they think is best for them.  We often do these things from a perspective of wanting the good.  We rationalize and justify our behaviors. However, when we do these things, evil enters the world. We see this in Jacob’s story.  His love for Rachel, the youngest daughter, to whom he is eventually married, leaves poor Leah, the eldest, longing for his love.  In fact, several of her sons receive names that speak to her hope that the birth of a son would finally earn  her husband’s love.  While Laban wanted a good husband for Leah, she suffered greatly because of his subterfuge.  

Scripture tells us to trust God for our needs.  It tells us that he will provide. He may not provide on our time or before we experience great discomfort in our lacking what we think we need.  Still, God is always faithful, even when our situation ends in death or discomfort.  His provision is for our eternal salvation, and not for our creature comforts here on earth. He wants good things for us, but his view of good things doesn’t always match our view.  His view is much broader than our own.  

As I pondered this, I started to imagine life as a struggle, a struggle like the one Jacob had on the shore of the river.  As we wrestle with our desires in the presence of God, we, like Jacob, might find many blessings, despite the pain and discomfort we experience in the process of learning to trust in him.  We might find ourselves curbing our desires, which can be equated to Jesus’ mandate for disciples to carry crosses and die to self, and thereby avoid releasing some evil into the world around us. We might find ourselves trusting God enough to put the needs of others before our own, and find ourselves the source of blessings in the life of others. 

Spend some time with the Holy Spirit analyzing your own life in light of this message.  Are you fighting for the things you want and need or are you wrestling with God for the blessings that come with living within his provision? If you struggle to trust him because he doesn’t always do things our way, ask him to teach you how to trust in him, and to want only what he wants for you.  Then, spend some time thanking him for all the blessings you have received and all those you helped him bestow on others. 

In Him,

dw