Daily Devotions
Genesis
"Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord? Who can declare all His praise?" Psalm 106:2
Text: Genesis 31:1-55
URGENT FAMILY DISCUSSION
Jacob held an urgent family council of his own. He called Rachel and Leah together and shared with them an important decision that all of them must make as a family.
“So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field,
to his flock, and said to them, ‘I see your father’s countenance,
that it is not favourable toward me as before, but the God
of my father has been with me.'”
GENESIS 31:4-5
Going straight to the point, Jacob announced his observation of Laban’s disposition towards him. He had to bring this matter up to his wives, for Laban, after all, was their father. He noted that there had been an unfavorable shift of attitude. Jacob’s mention of the God of his father was brought in for the most obvious reason. He had sensed God’s Presence with him, in recent times most acutely.
A REHEARSAL OF PLAIN FACTS
Jacob could not afford to mince words. He must state the bare facts before Rachel and Leah concerning their father. Hopefully, they would be able to discern and appreciate that he was telling the truth. He was not exaggerating, nor was he prejudiced against their father.
“And you know that with all my might I have served your father.
Yet your father has deceived me and changed my wages ten times,
but God did not allow him to hurt me.”
GENESIS 31:6-7
Could Rachel and Leah comprehend the weight and the significance of what Jacob was saying to them? Laban, their father – a deceiver? Their father had tried to cheat Jacob ten times? Those must have been hard words to hear.
The only thing that Laban had apparently failed to do was to cause bodily harm to Jacob. That would not have been difficult to arrange, for the work of shepherding involved being in the open field for days on end. An “accident” could easily have been arranged. Perhaps there were occasions when Laban had attempted to harm Jacob, but “the God of (his) father” had protected him!
AN ASTONISHING TESTIMONY
Jacob went on to share about how he had accumulated so much wealth! Yes, he began with thinking that he could breed stronger goats and sheep using his animal husbandry skills. However, whatever he tried could not be compared with the way God had guided him and blessed him! Scheme after scheme of Laban had backfired (Genesis 31:8). There was only one conclusion. (Could Rachel and Leah believe Jacob?)
“So God has taken away the livestock of your father
and given them to me.”
GENESIS 31:9