Holy Devotion
Bible Devotional
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

 
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