Genesis 31:41-42a - Blessing in adversity
Scripture:
Genesis 31:41-42a
41 "These twenty years I have been in your house; I served
you fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for
your flock, and you changed my wages ten times.
42 "If the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the
fear of Isaac, had not been for me, surely now you would
have sent me away empty-handed."
NASU
Thoughts:
Jacob and his family and estate are sneaking away from
Laban, his father-in-law:
Genesis 31:20-21
Jacob deceived Laban the Aramean by not telling him that
he was fleeing. 21 So he fled with all that he had; and he
arose and crossed the Euphrates River, and set his face
toward the hill country of Gilead.
NASU
When Laban discovers they have gone he is upset and pursues
them, leading to these statements of Jacob to Laban.
Jacob asserts that Laban has mistreated him, and he has a
good case. If all Laban had done was to trick Jacob into
marrying the wrong daughter after 7 years of labor, this
would have been egregious enough, but Jacob also points to
the lack of wage increases over his 20 years of employment.
As we read this broader section of scripture detailing
Jacob's labor for Laban, it is clear that God's blessing is
upon Jacob. So much so, and in such an obvious way, that
Laban wants to keep Jacob around as a good luck charm:
Genesis 30:25-28
25 Now it came about when Rachel had borne Joseph, that
Jacob said to Laban, " Send me away, that I may go to my
own place and to my own country. 26 "Give me my wives and
my children for whom I have served you, and let me depart;
for you yourself know my service which I have rendered
you." 27 But Laban said to him, "If now it pleases you,
stay with me; I have divined that the Lord has blessed me
on your account."
NASU
Sometimes in life we find ourselves mistreated by people.
They cheat us. They are mean to us. They may cause us
social or financial loss, and the list could go on. But
what is the Lord doing in these times? We must look deeper
into our circumstances. Though men may be set on harming
us, the Lord is undoubtedly blessing us in some way.
Perhaps deepening our Christ-likeness. Maybe growing our
faith. Certainly increasing our heavenly reward as we
handle adversity in His way. Be encouraged by the words of
Jesus:
John 16:33
In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I
have overcome the world.
NASU
Prayer:
Lord, I don't like when people mistreat me. I don't expect
to be treated like royalty, but it is hard when I'm not
getting what most would consider fair. Help me to keep my
eyes on You and on the heavenly prize You have for me. Help
me to trust You even when in this life, it looks like I'm
losing.
Amen