When re-reading part of yesterday's message I glanced over my Bible's Study section on Rachel, so I would like today's blog to include these words: "Rachel's attempts to earn the unearnable were a picture of a much greater error we can also make. Like Rachel, we find ourselves trying--in many ways-- to earn love, specifically God's love. But, we end up with one of two false ideas. Either we think we've been "good enough" to deserve his love or we recognize we aren't good enough to earn his love, therefore assuming that His love must be earned. The Bible shouts out to us: "God loves us!" His love has no beginning, and is incredibly patient. So all we have to do is respond to God, love Him with our whole being, giving ourselves to Him in thanksgiving, not as a payment. Live life fully, in the freedom of knowing we are loved."
Now, for further adventures with Jacob and Laban, Jacob's father-in-law.......Things had begun to grow prickly! Jacob's wealth made Laban's sons jealous, sapping their happiness and making them unable to be happy for Jacob and their sisters. And Jacob saw that Laban's attitude toward him was no longer good, either!
God spoke to Jacob and told him, "Go back to the land of your fathers....and I will be with you." So, Jacob sent word to Rachel and Leah to be advised of the move. The two wives replied, "Do we still have any share in the inheritance of our father's estates? Probably not! Does he regard us as foreigners? Probably. He basically sold us, but used up what was already paid. All the wealth God took away from our father belongs to us and our children. So do whatever God has told you."
So, Jacob put his wives and children on camels and drove all of his livestock ahead of him, along with all the goods he had accumulated to go back to his father, Isaac, in the land of Canaan, without telling Laban he was running away. During the rushing about, Rachel entered her father's tent and stole his household gods.
On the third day, Laban was told that Jacob had fled. He and his relatives pursued Jacob for seven days and caught up with him in the hill country of Gilead. But God came to Laban in a dream and told him, "Be careful about saying either good or bad to Jacob."
When Laban arrived at Jacob's camp, he said to the fleeing son-in-law, "What have you done? You deceived me and carried away my daughters like captives. Why didn't you tell me so I could send you away with joy and singing?" And more somberly he added, I have the power to harm you, but your god told me "no." But why steal my gods?"
Jacob answered, "I was afraid you would not let me go. But as to your gods, see for yourself if they are with us. If you find them with anyone, he shall not live!"
Now Jacob did not know Rachel had stolen the gods, and put them under her saddle and was sitting on them. After Laban had searched all the tents, he turned toward the camels. Rachel than said to her father, "Don't be angry, Father, that I do not stand. I am having my period." (Author's note: I don't know what they called it then....flow?) Jacob spoke then to Laban with great assuredness,"
"If the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me, you would surely have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen my hardship and the toil of my hands, and last night God rebuked you."
It was then Laban's turn to answer, "The women are my daughters, the children are my children, and the flocks are my flocks. All you see is mine. Yet, what can I do? Come now, let us make a covenant, you and I, and let it serve as a witness between us." So they took some stones and piled them up for a solid witness. "I will not go past this heap to harm you and you must not go past it toward us to harm me. And may the God of Abraham and the God of Nahor, and the God of their father, judge between us."
Early the next morning, Laban kissed his grandchildren and his daughters and blessed them. Then he left, returning home. (End of today's story)
Today's study is worth mentioning. "Making a habit of doing more than expected (as Jacob did) can pay off. First, it pleases God. Secondly, it earns recognition and advancement for you. Thirdly, it will build confidence in you and others about you. Fourth, it gives you experience and knowledge and Fifth, (not the least of them) it develops your spiritual maturity."
Tomorrow, (God willing) we may meet some angels but today's story reminds us of the imperfections of the human race. Oh! If only this was a perfect world; what would that be like? Today's earth seems quite troublesome to me. If only everyone could know and accept the love shown to us by Jesus. When will that day come when the stones themselves bow to His name?
In the meantime, there is love and goodness when and wherever we offer it!
Jo INMN
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