Genesis 30:25-28 - When Rachel had borne Joseph, Jacob said
to Laban, "Send me away, that I may go to my own home and country. Give
me my wives and my children for whom I have served you, and let me go; for you
know the service which I have given you." But Laban said to
him, "If you will allow me to say so, I have learned by divination that
the LORD has blessed me because of you; name your wages, and I will
give it."
Laban knew a good thing when he saw it. He must not have had
a very strong relationship with God…for he learned about his blessing by
divination…the practice of seeking a glimpse of the future from the pagan
worshipers in the area. Amazing to me that the pagan Gods knew his wealth was
due to the favor of God on his nephew….but confusing to me is the fact that
Laban did not fall immediately to the ground and ask Jacob to show him how to
gain this favor for himself. I guess that just goes to show you how wrapped up
in the world we can get sometimes.
Jacob must not have been worshiping or talking to God lately
either…for watching Laban’s flocks grow to great numbers… having nothing of his
own to show for it…he forgets the part of God’s promise to give him the land of
Cannan…and multiply his own seed into a great nation of much wealth….so he just
asks Laban to release him and his large family to go back home. He does flat
out tell Laban that all he has his due to God’s Favor..but he forgets to tell
himself that God has promised him the same thing.
But that God…he just shows up and shows out … even though we
read nothing of Jacob building his
relationship with God stronger…God blesses the strange method Jacob uses to multiply
the few animals he gets in this deal.
The spotted reeds really had no scientific basis for working…Laban even
tries to manipulate the numbers by hiding the males that fit Jacob’s request.
It is totally a God thing that Jacob’s flocks grow to great numbers….and are
stronger in health than his uncles. God’s wisdom wells up inside of Jacob in
spite of his lack of faith and dependence on God.
I for one am very happy that God works this way sometimes…for
I too have allowed the world to trick me into following its ways instead of God’s
ways sometimes. God doesn’t leave me….he
carries me and blesses me in spite of my stupidity…he uses this time of
complacency to teach me valuable lessons I will need later in my journey with
him. I can look back to every worldly decision I have made with peace now…and
bask in God’s mercy that he carried me through the bad decision I made…and
allowed it to draw me closer to him.
Father…I thank you
that you are a loving God…full of patience with my human nature. I thank you that like Jacob…you bless me in
spite of my lack of faith in your promise to prosper me and give me hope. Give
me this morning a new vision of your love for me…and write on my heart a new
prayer of faith….for I know you have great plans for me…and they will prosper
me and give me hope for my future ….just like Jeremiah 29:11 told me that day. Whether
you give a me a clear dream of exactly what will be…or ask me to wait a little
longer while you teach me to depend on just you..help me Lord to thank you and praise you continually for all the
good things you have blessed me with. Amen.
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