Thursday, February 2, 2012

2 Feb. 2012 - Genesis 31:22-35

Genesis 31:22-35
"Laban Overtakes Jacob"

So, you could say that Laban was a little ticked at Jacob's sudden disappearance. After all, Laban had not a chance to send his daughters and grandchildren off. Also, he was a bit peeved that Jacob had presumably stolen his household idols (It was actually Rachel).

God came to Laban right before he caught up with Jacob and told him not to speak good or ill to Jacob, so Laban refrained from giving Jacob some stern punishment.

When the issue of the idols arises, Jacob swears that no one had stolen them and that whoever had them would be terminally punished (i.e. killed). Well, unbeknownst to him, Rachel had them. When Laban came, she put them in a camel's saddlebags and sat on them, claiming "that time of the month" as a reason for her to not get up and let him search the bags.

So, we have the plot thickening. Exactly what will happen between Jacob and Laban? God has already intervened in warning Laban not to harm Jacob, how will He next provide for Jacob? Yes, God loves and cares for Jacob, but, at this point, Jacob is in the thick of a royal mess and there seems to be no upcoming intervention.

I guess we can take away ffrom this passage a warning against deceit. We have two different deceptions that have taken place. One has been exposed, but the other just got buried deeper. The best way to avoid this type of trouble is to be honest and truthful in your dealings.

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