Tag: Laban

Daily Word

Genesis 31

judyinthesky91

Read Genesis 31 – Breaking free.

Jacob saw that his in-law side of the family were starting to resent him, so when the LORD met him in a dream, telling him to return to the land of his father and grandfather, he did not hesitate.  Jacob saw the ways Laban cheated him, changing his wages 10 times but he also saw how God more than redeemed what Laban took(:7-12). 

He called Leah and Rachel in from the fields and explained the situation to them.  They were fine with it.  Their father was not fair with them either, reducing their rights to that of foreign women, and wasting all the money Jacob paid him (:15).  Laban made it so that Leah and Rachel and their children would not inherit anything. 

As they were packing up, Rachel stole her father’s household idols. :19  Beloved, who can say why?  A heart betrayed and abused can make strange choices to retaliate.

It would be 10 days before Laban would learn that Jacob had fled and catch up with them.  And the night before he did, the LORD appeared to him (Laban) in a dream, telling him, “I’m warning you – leave Jacob alone!” :24 

Laban peppers Jacob with questions over why he left in such a hurry, as though he were a good and noble father, before he gets to the thing that matters most to him, “But why have you stolen my gods?” :30  We have the term, gaslight, for Laban’s behavior, when a person psychologically manipulates another to question their own sanity in order to gain control. 

Jacob permits him to search everyone stating:  “But as for your gods, see if you can find them, and let the person who has taken them die!”  Jacob did not know it was Rachel, and she is shrewd to hide them under her saddle. 

Now Jacob is mad, and he points out Laban’s abuses :36-42.  Laban does not own up to it, but changes the subject – again, a standard gaslighting move.  He proposes a covenant between them. Jacob agrees, and the next morning each goes in peace. 

Beloved, what does the LORD want you to see in this passage?  Is it time to move on from something?  Is He asking you to persevere in a hard situation?  Is He wanting you to make peace?

Daily Word

Genesis 30

judyinthesky91

Read Genesis 30 – “EGAD!”

My grandmother’s voice rings in my head as Jacob is passed from sister to servant and back again in Leah and Rachel’s competition for sons. And Gad is the name of Leah’s son, by her servant Zilpah in verse :11. Gad means “How fortunate I am!” I’m not sure if my grandmother saw the correlation.

I found verse :16 to be the most shocking. I almost feel sorry for Jacob.

At last, Rachel is remembered by God and blessed with a son named Joseph. The meaning of his name is “May the LORD add yet another son to my family.” :24 I found that such a strange name, it is like telling God, this one is not enough.

Meanwhile, they are still living on Laban’s estate and Jacob is still laboring for him without wage. Jacob has made him a wealthy man. He asks Laban for his wages in the form of all the speckled, spotted and black sheep and goats. I admire how this form of payment is indisputable. Laban agrees, but in :35 we see him playing dirty once again!

Jacob does not mention the injustice, he simply continues tending the flock, and imparts a technique to ensure the strongest females would give birth to spotted, speckled or black animals. “As a result, Jacob became very wealthy, with large flocks of sheep and goats, female and male servants, and many camels and donkeys.” :43

Beloved, may these verses remind you that small and corrupt people will come and go throughout your life. Keep your eyes on Jesus, walk closely with Him and watch what happens… que in my grandmother singing, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus… Look full in his wonderful face… And the things of earth will grow strangely dim… In the light of his glory and grace.”🎶

Daily Word

Genesis 29

judyinthesky91

Read Genesis 29 – Oh what a tangled web we weave… or so the saying goes. 

Jacob, the trickster, arrives in Paddan-Aram, aka, Uncle Laban’s neighborhood.  He waits beside the well, chatting with the local shepherds… they were the news source of the day.  He inquired about Laban, they said, yes, this was his land, and his daughter Rachel was the woman approaching with her flocks (she was a shepherd, she worked). 

Notice the build up of vs :10.  Jacob’s heart must have been racing!  And vs :11, “Then Jacob kissed Rachel, and he wept aloud.”  That must have made for some fun stories to tell the grandkids. 

Laban takes Jacob in and they make a dowry deal that Jacob will work for him for 7 years, then marry Rachel.  Notice the symbolism… Jacob came from a wealthy household, yet now he was essentially a servant to Laban.  Jesus is LORD, yet He came from heaven to earth to serve. (Matthew 20:28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.) 

But on the wedding night, Laban tricks Jacob by giving him Leah and not Rachel, saying it was the custom that the older daughter be married first.  Laban presents a new deal that he will give him Rachel next week, provided Jacob agrees to another 7 years of service.  Remember in Chapter 27 when I said Jacob would face a refining period because of his trickery?  Well, here is 14 years of it. 

Now poor Leah, she is unloved by her husband, but the LORD sees her sorrow and blesses her with 4 sons… one of which would be the priestly line of Levi, another of which would bring forth Jesus Christ, our Messiah, from the line of Judah!

Beloved, the LORD sees you too.  He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.  The LORD lifts up the humble.  The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love. (Psalm 147:3,6,11).

Daily Word

Genesis 24

judyinthesky91

Read Genesis 24 – Be ready to be swept off your feet!  This is one of the most romantic chapters in the Bible. 

Abraham is very old when he summons his head servant and requests he find a wife for Isaac from the homeland.  The servant (we are never given his name) is concerned that the bride and her family may not allow her to travel so far away.  Abraham sets the condition that his servant will be released of his oath if that happens, but that Isaac is NEVER to go there. 

Notice the servant’s reverence for the LORD and Abraham.  He prays when he arrives in town, he prays quite specifically, and before he finished praying in his heart, Rebekah appeared.  (This is one of the few silent prayers recorded in the Bible.) 

I’m not going to tell too much of the story. You simply must unwrap it for yourself!  As you read, consider the symbolism of Father in Abraham, Son in Isaac, and Holy Spirit in the unnamed servant. 

Our chapter ends with verse :67, “And Isaac brought Rebekah into his mother Sarah’s tent, and she became his wife.  He loved her deeply, and she was a special comfort to him after the death of his mother.” 

Beloved, ‘he loved her deeply’, it’s so precious.  This was an arranged marriage, but it was truly love at first sight.  And Rebekah immediately steps into the role with comfort, being exactly the right help-mate to Isaac.  May you also trust in the Lord completely.  May you ask for the desires of your heart and be open to the awesome ways Jesus will meet you there.  Commit everything you do to the LORD!