LastCall: "If God is For Us" (Genesis 31:18-32) -Bob Caldwell

If God is For Us   "But God had come to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said to him, ‘Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad.'" -Genesis 31:24 In verse 24 we see an example of what God can do when His good hand is upon a person. Jacob is fleeing Laban to return home as commanded by God (31:3). But Jacob will never get home if God does not intervene in some way. First, we see that God warns Laban to be careful how he treats Jacob. Second, we see how God opens Jacob's eyes so he isn't manipulated or deceived by the lies and false affection Laban seeks to show him as recorded in verses 26-29. Third, we see how God protects Jacob from the fallout of Rachel's theft of the household idols. In their culture, these idols were used as a deed of trust for posterity. Obviously Jacob's wife, Rachel, had yet to grow spiritually to the place her husband had grown to. But in spite of all this intrigue, Jacob, by God's help, navigates through this entire mess. At times it may appear in all our lives that God is not on the job. In this situation, Jacob could not have known that God spoke to Laban in a dream. Nor would he have known the mess his wife could have gotten them all in. But Jacob did know one thing. He learned that God was with him. And that was enough. And it's enough for all of us. When we grow in our personal revelation of who God is and what He's committed to do, it is enough to just know He's with us.
Genesis 31:18-32   And he carried away all his livestock and all his possessions which he had gained, his acquired livestock which he had gained in Padan Aram, to go to his father Isaac in the land of Canaan. 19 Now Laban had gone to shear his sheep, and Rachel had stolen the household idols that were her father's. 20 And Jacob stole away, unknown to Laban the Syrian, in that he did not tell him that he intended to flee. 21 So he fled with all that he had. He arose and crossed the river, and headed toward the mountains of Gilead. Laban Pursues Jacob 22 And Laban was told on the third day that Jacob had fled. 23 Then he took his brethren with him and pursued him for seven days' journey, and he overtook him in the mountains of Gilead. 24 But God had come to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said to him, "Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad." 25 So Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mountains, and Laban with his brethren pitched in the mountains of Gilead. 26 And Laban said to Jacob: "What have you done, that you have stolen away unknown to me, and carried away my daughters like captives taken with the sword? 27 Why did you flee away secretly, and steal away from me, and not tell me; for I might have sent you away with joy and songs, with timbrel and harp? 28 And you did not allow me to kiss my sons and my daughters. Now you have done foolishly in so doing. 29 It is in my power to do you harm, but the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, ‘Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad.' 30 And now you have surely gone because you greatly long for your father's house, but why did you steal my gods?" 31 Then Jacob answered and said to Laban, "Because I was afraid, for I said, ‘Perhaps you would take your daughters from me by force.' 32 With whomever you find your gods, do not let him live. In the presence of our brethren, identify what I have of yours and take it with you." For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them.
v. 19 Household Idols – Rachel had stolen these idols as they snuck off without Laban being aware. These idols were called "Traphim" in Hebrew. During this time, the Hurrian law recognized these household idols as deeds to family property, which may give insight into why Laban felt it was so important to recover them (v. 22-23). Laban Pursues Jacob (Verses 22-43) v. 22 Third Day – Laban must have been a three-day journey away (v.19) from their home, since it took that long for a servant to inform him of what had happened. v. 23 Mountains of Gilead – This would have been in the northeast corner of Canaan. v. 24 In a Dream – God appears to this man to protect Jacob from being harmed by Laban. v. 29 Do You Harm – Laban reveals his intent. He was not pursuing Jacob for any other reason than to bring him harm and then take for himself the wealth God had given him. v. 32 Do Not Let Him Live – This statement makes clear that Jacob did not know Rachel had stolen the idols.

Devotions with Emotion

Michael James Stone

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