(Text : Genesis 31:5)
And said unto them, I see your father’s countenance, that it is not toward me as before; but the God of my father hath been with me.
FOCUS:
Genesis 31:7, 9 And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me. Thus God hath taken away the cattle of your father, and given them to me.
When Laban saw that Jacob’s flocks were increasing according to the bargain originally made, he then changed the rules. Whatever it was that he did we aren’t told; however, we do note that God overruled whatever it is that Laban did, and continued to bless Jacob. From all of this, we learn that Jacob had not done anything wrong, or else God would not have prospered him.
In addition, Genesis 31:12-13 And he said, Lift up now thine eyes, and see, all the rams which leap upon the cattle are ringstraked, speckled, and grisled: for I have seen all that Laban doeth unto thee. I am the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred.
We should take a lesson from this, understanding that the Lord sees and notes all. He reaffirms that He is the God of Beth-el, which proclaims the fact that every promise given there to Jacob still held true, which speak of Christ and the Holy Spirit. This was the “tenth” that was to be given to the Lord; all of these animals had been offered up in sacrifice, seeming that Jacob had been faithful to the vow Genesis 28:20: as stated, twenty years had passed since he had seen his kindred.
Finally, Genesis 31:14-16 And Rachel and Leah answered and said unto him, Is there yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father’s house? Are we not counted of him strangers? for he hath sold us, and hath quite devoured also our money. For all the riches which God hath taken from our father, that is ours, and our children’s: now then, whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do.
Both Rachel and Leah understood completely the duplicity of their father. He not only had done Jacob wrong, but he had wronged them as well. It’s a shame that Laban figures so prominently in the Gospel Message, but yet never came to know the Lord. They recognized the Hand of God in all of this, and reality acquiesced to Jacob’s proposal to leave.
BE SAFE AND GET SAVED!
God bless you richly!
Jesus Christ loves you
Thank you Holy Spirit
ARE YOU SAVED?
T.O AKINSANYA
PRINCE ORATORTEE