Lesson 29<\/p>\n
Jacob Makes Good<\/p>\n
Genesis 30:25 \u2013 31:21<\/p>\n
Me-<\/p>\n
One of the shocks that come to most of us is that we wake up one day and realize we are adults.\u00a0 This is a scary proposition. With that new awareness I very quickly learned of the responsibility and accountability that goes along with it.\u00a0 For many of us even when we first get married we may still be living in a dream world.\u00a0 Our first job becomes a reality check especially when we see all that comes out of our pay and how little we have to keep for ourselves.\u00a0 Our visions of grandeur of what we are going to do with all that money now becomes how can I make this stretch out until the next payday.<\/p>\n
With the coming of children I had to adjust and become more serious about life.\u00a0 I became aware very quickly that my wife and I were now responsible for a new life and the kind of person each of them would become.\u00a0 A college education became of greater importance if I was to provide for them.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sadly, there are those who never want to grow up and mature as adults.\u00a0 These folks are said to have a Peter Pan personality.\u00a0 They want a life full of fun with no responsibility. Some never grow up.\u00a0 There is a saying that may have held true in a time that was less demanding.\u00a0 It says, \u201cDo not judge a man until he is forty.\u201d\u00a0 In our fast pace society, however, by the time a man is forty, if he does not understand his role in life, the world\u00a0 will pass him by.<\/p>\n
It took a long time for Jacob to get it.\u00a0 Although as recorded in the narrative, by the time he began to build his own business he was well into his eighties. By the way I am still learning these lessons as well.<\/p>\n
We-<\/p>\n
It is so easy for churches to get sidetracked and not be what God has called them to be. We can do all kinds of things and make all kinds of decisions, some good and some bad and still never mature as a people. God calls us to do certain things based on faith.\u00a0 The primary one is to live out our lives in such a way that others hear and see the good news through a daily focus on focusing our attention on the Father and His Son.\u00a0 These can only be done when we understand what God\u2019s word has to say to us.\u00a0 The only way that will happen is digging into His instruction book.\u00a0 We need to be careful that we do not waste the hours and days going in the wrong direction because we have excluded God from even the life of the Church.<\/p>\n
Genesis 30:25-26<\/p>\n
Jacob had spent fourteen years serving Laban for two wives and had eleven children to show for his efforts.\u00a0 After faithfully fulfilling his obligations it was now time for him to provide for his own future and that of his family.\u00a0 He came to the conclusion that the only way to do that was to return home.\u00a0 Waiting for him would be the flocks and herds that he would acquire because of the birthright and blessing he had stolen and been given.\u00a0 He approached Laban with the request to go back into Canaan.<\/p>\n
Genesis 30:27-28<\/p>\n
Laban used the argument that Jacob did not have to go back to Canaan to provide for the future of his family.\u00a0 He could stay right there and continue to serve Laban.\u00a0 Jacob would even be able to name his own wages.\u00a0 Of course this would be more beneficial for Laban than Jacob because he knew that he would not take advantage of the situation.\u00a0 His father had recognized two things.\u00a0 Jacob was a good manager and business man and he had also been blessed because God was with Jacob, just as He had promised.<\/p>\n
Genesis 30:29-30<\/p>\n
Jacob made it very clear as he negotiated that Laban had little, one small flock of sheep, goats \u00a0and a few cattle, when he arrived on the scene. It is possible that he probably would still have had nothing if Jacob had not been there. That fact Laban could not deny.\u00a0 Because of Jacob and God\u2019s hand upon him the wealth of Laban had grown.\u00a0 If he was to maintain what he had he had no choice but to acknowledge the importance of what Jacob had done.\u00a0 Everything that been said by both men came down to Jacob being able to providing for his family.\u00a0 That was the bottom line for Jacob.<\/p>\n
Genesis 30:31-36<\/p>\n
Laban wanted to know what Jacob expected to be given.\u00a0 Jacob on his part probably surprised his father-in-law by telling him that he did not want to be given anything. The wages that Jacob asked would seemingly put him at a disadvantage.\u00a0 He asked for the goats that were speckled and spotted and black sheep. In order for the deal to be completely open Jacob separated all of the livestock that were speckled, spotted and black and gave them to Laban.\u00a0 Laban then separated those animals about a three day\u2019s journey from the rest of the flocks and put them in the care of his sons.\u00a0 The only sheep left were white and goats of a solid color.\u00a0 Those animals would now be tended by Jacob.\u00a0 His wages would then be any spotted, striped and black sheep that would be born from that time.\u00a0 He even went so far as to say that any animal that was either or white or solid in his flock would be considered stolen.<\/p>\n
There were two factors that led him to his decision.\u00a0 First he believed that God would provide as He had promised to take care of Jacob.\u00a0 The second, which came from the many years of taking care of his father\u2019s flocks and learning from his father and grandfather about animal husbandry.\u00a0 He of course did not know about dominant and recessive genes but he knew about breeding of animals which he hoped would work to his advantage.<\/p>\n
Genesis 30:37-40<\/p>\n
The methods use by Jacob depended on man\u2019s ability to accomplish a goal.\u00a0 It also begs the question of whether Jacob once again thought he had to help God out. His strong impatient personality was on the display.\u00a0 Rather than allowing God to work out the solution, he went about giving God a hand.\u00a0 Amazingly God still honored His promised and blessed Jacob\u2019s efforts. Using what he had learned over the years was one thing but trying to accomplish the desired goal by what almost appears to be using magic seems strange.<\/p>\n
In that day however, to use rods from the trees mentioned may have been a common practice.\u00a0 It was thought to enhance the possibly of producing new breeds of animals.\u00a0 He used trees that had bark that could be peeled by to expose the wood inside.\u00a0 When the animals were exposed to the rods they would produce striped, spotted, speckled and black animals.\u00a0 Each time this occurred Jacob would then separate them out from the sheep and goats that were the usual color. This would make up an additional flock of animals. Two belonged to Laban while the new goats and sheep bred to be variegated would make up the animals belonging to Jacob.<\/p>\n
Genesis 30:41-43<\/p>\n
Another tactic he used was to only mate the strong animals in front of the rods.\u00a0 As a result over a period of time the animals of Laban would be much weaker than those of Jacob.\u00a0 It would appear that Jacob had no regard for his father-in-law and was only looking out for his own self interest.\u00a0 Jacob became very prosperous.\u00a0 His wealth increased to the point that he not only had large flocks but was able to acquire servants, camels and donkeys.<\/p>\n
Genesis 31:1-2<\/p>\n
As would be expected, Jacob heard that the son\u2019s of Laban did not like what was going on.\u00a0 They saw the wealth of their father and their inheritance evaporating right before their eyes.\u00a0 They blamed Jacob for what he had done.\u00a0 In part this may have been true, but it has to be remembered that they had the original flocks that had been separated out to build their own estate.\u00a0 Even Laban\u2019s attitude toward Jacob soured.\u00a0 He no longer saw him as a benefactor but as an adversary.<\/p>\n
Genesis 31:1-3<\/p>\n
After all those years spent in Paddan-Aram God appeared to Jacob and told him it was time to go home.\u00a0 As He had promised him before, God promised to be with him as he travelled.<\/p>\n
Genesis 31:4-9<\/p>\n
Jacob, upon hearing from God, called for Rachel and Leah to meet him out in the field where he was watching over his flock.\u00a0 He probably had them come to him so that what he had in mind would not be heard by Laban or anyone in his household. He then explained to them what had been going on starting with Laban\u2019s attitude toward him.\u00a0 In essence, Laban no longer liked him but God had been with him the whole time he was in Paddan-Aram.<\/p>\n
Jacob then laid out before them what had occurred since he had been in that city.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Genesis 31:9-12<\/p>\n
Finally is seen the reason that Jacob did the things that he did.\u00a0 He had seen in a dream that God was aware of what was taking place.\u00a0 In the dream he saw that when the animals mated that they produced variegated animals.\u00a0 Jacob was assured that God had seen everything that Laban had done to him.\u00a0 Although not mentioned again here it can be assumed that the emphasis was that Laban had lost everything because of his treatment of Jacob.<\/p>\n
Genesis 31:13<\/p>\n
So there would be no doubt in Jacob\u2019s mind of who was speaking to him, God identified Himself as the \u201cGod of Bethel.\u201d\u00a0 He also reminded him that he had built a pillar and made a vow to Him. Then He commanded to leave and return home.<\/p>\n
Genesis 31:14-16<\/p>\n
The reaction of the two women was quick and decisive.\u00a0 They saw too that they had been used by their father to get what he wanted.\u00a0 In their minds, there was no portion or inheritance for them in the future. They felt like they were being treated like foreigners in their own household. This attitude was probably an overflow from the way that Laban and his son\u2019s felt about Jacob.\u00a0 The service that Jacob had given to Laban had more than made up for any dowry that would have been given for them.\u00a0 Finally they viewed the wealth transferred by God from Laban to Jacob as belonging to them because of treatment towards them at the hand of their father.<\/p>\n
Genesis 31:17-18<\/p>\n
With the backing of his wives, Jacob began the trip back to Canaan.\u00a0 He loaded up his family onto camels and drove all of his animals before him.\u00a0 Nothing that he had acquired was left behind.<\/p>\n
Genesis 31:19<\/p>\n
Rachel took care of one last piece of business before she left.\u00a0 When Laban went out to shear the sheep she took the household gods.\u00a0 The fact that there were household gods says that Laban did not depend on God but idols for direction for his life.\u00a0 This would possibly provide some answers to why he was able to deceive and oppress those in his household.\u00a0 By taking the idols, Rachel would have struck at the heart of what Laban held dear.\u00a0 It would also say that all relationships with her father were now broken.<\/p>\n
Genesis 31:20-21<\/p>\n
Jacob decided not to tell his father-in-law that he was leaving. He probably took the same opportunity that Rachel used to begin the trip.\u00a0 With Laban gone to shear the sheep it would be sometime before he realized that Jacob, his family and all of the property that belonged to Jacob was gone.\u00a0 Moses used the words fleeing and fled to describe the urgency of Jacob\u2019s actions. He left as quickly as he could from Paddan-Aram crossing over the Euphrates River to head for the home of his father. In the initial phase of the journey he made it as far as Gilead which would have been east of the Jordan River which years later would become part of the inheritance of Israel.<\/p>\n
You-<\/p>\n
We-<\/p>\n
We are presented with all types of opportunities to serve God.\u00a0 There are so many ministries that can be taken on that sometimes we have a difficult time knowing which is good for our church.\u00a0 One way of looking at them is to evaluate the capabilities of carrying them out in the most impactful way for the kingdom of God.\u00a0 There are certain things that just do not fit who we are.\u00a0 This is not to say that we are to limit God in any way.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The important part of making any decision is to look at the ways that God has equipped us.\u00a0 I go back to what we discover in the Life Development class 301 about the individual.\u00a0 The same pattern found there also fits a church.\u00a0 The factors to consider before starting any new ministries, is what collectively do we bring to the table?\u00a0 The aspects of a person and church singled out in 301 are Spiritual Gifts, Heart (passions, desires etc.), Abilities (skills and natural talents), Personality and Experiences.\u00a0 These are the resources that God gives us to decide what will be our part in His kingdom\u2019s work.<\/p>\n
Jacob understood himself and his capabilities. He relied on his relationship with God and the training that he had received over the years taking care of his father\u2019s animals.\u00a0 What seemed to be a risky move was not that at all.\u00a0 Let us like him evaluate who we are before trying to move out into deep water which may overwhelm us.\u00a0 As a church let us prayerfully and honestly do what God has called us to do.<\/p>\n
Additional Notes:<\/p>\n
B-L Laban, who is smart enough to realize that Jacob was his ticket to success, begged Jacob to stay.\u00a0 The two men finally work out a way to pay him for his efforts.\u00a0 He was to give Jacob all the speckled and spotted lambs and goats, which were the less desirable animals, from his flocks and keep the rest for himself.\u00a0 Jacob accepted, and then through a strange combination of divine influence and superstitious remedies, he influenced the flocks and herds to produce a bumper crop of strong, healthy animals!\u00a0 Using the strange methods the Bible says, Jacob grew exceedingly prosperous–and pretty soon, Paddan- Aram was not big enough to hold both Jacob and Laban. Jacob, it seemed, was finally learning to do things God’s way.\u00a0 He found out it is always the best way!\u00a0 If only he had figured it out twenty years before. Rachel, it seemed, had yet learned her lesson, but it was coming!\u00a0(Genesis 31)<\/p>\n
BL- After discussing it with his wives, Jacob and his family sneak off without revealing their plans to Laban. On the way out, Rachel grabs her father’s household gods and hides them in her saddle.\u00a0 Buddy explained that by stealing these idols, Rachel was insuring that the family inheritance would bypass her brothers and fall to her own children.\u00a0(Genesis 31:4,21)<\/em><\/p>\n M-When a man loses all of his ill gotten gain then he begins to change in his relationship to others.\u00a0 He begins to be suspicion, jealous and blame others for his failures.\u00a0 Laban had used Jacob to gain whatever wealth he had. (Gen. 31:1)<\/p>\n WM-Even Laban\u2019s sons had adopted their father\u2019s attitudes of greed and distrust.\u00a0 They blamed Jacob for their problems. (Gen. 31:1)<\/p>\n C-As he increased in wealth the attitude of Laban and his sons changed toward Jacob.\u00a0 No longer were they friendly, but began to make accusations that Jacob had taken from had belonged to Laban.\u00a0 What was the real reason for this attitude shift?\u00a0 (Gen. 31:1-2, 5)<\/p>\n E-After twenty years of service to Laban God confirmed Jacob\u2019s decision that it was time to return to Canaan. (Gen. 31:3, 11-13)<\/p>\n C-Jacob at the Lord\u2019s direction decided to return to Canaan.\u00a0 God promised to be with him as he made the journey. (Gen. 31:3, 13)<\/p>\n UE-After all that he had done we find that the Lord is still with Jacob as he made the journey back to Canaan. (Gen. 31:3)<\/p>\n UE-Having said what was mentioned above the other side of the discussion might be that Jacob saw what had happened as God intervening and taking away what had been Laban\u2019s because of his mistreatment of Jacob.\u00a0 This argument is validated in Jacob\u2019s words to his wives.\u00a0 They had seen and understood what had been taking place. (Gen. 31:5-16)<\/p>\n M-Jacob is an example of one of those individuals that perseveres in the face of many difficulties.\u00a0 He told his wives that he had \u201cserved your father with all my strength.\u201d To them he explained how their father had cheated him and had changed his wages changed ten times. \u00a0\u00a0(Gen. 31:6-7, 38-42)<\/p>\n M-Jacob understood that all he had was given to him by God.\u00a0 Having this understanding, he listened to and followed God\u2019s direction. (Gen. 31:5, 7, 9 & 13)<\/p>\n WM-Laban continued to be unscrupulous in his dealings with Jacob.\u00a0 While he had tried to be honest Laban had cheated him and changed his wages ten times. (Gen. 31:7)<\/p>\n WM-Although God told Jacob to return to Canaan and his father Isaac.\u00a0 His faith was not strong enough that he could openly tell Laban that he was leaving.\u00a0 His departure was done in secret thus it might be viewed as another deception. (Gen. 31:13, 16, 20, 27, 31)<\/p>\n C-Rachel and Leah were willing to leave their home and relatives and go with Jacob to Canaan. (Gen. 31:14-16)<\/p>\n C-Jacob carried through on his decision and started back home.\u00a0 (Gen. 31:17-18, 20-21)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Lesson 29 Jacob Makes Good Genesis 30:25 \u2013 31:21 Me- One of the shocks that come to most of us is that we wake up one day and realize we are adults.\u00a0 This is a scary proposition. With that new awareness I very quickly learned of the responsibility and accountability that goes along with it.\u00a0 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-139","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/139","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=139"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/139\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":140,"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/139\/revisions\/140"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=139"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=139"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=139"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\n\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n