5 He said to them, "I see that your father‘s attitude to-ward me is not what it was before, but the God of myfather has been with me.
- P38
6 You know that I‘ve worked for your father with all mystrength, 7 yet your father has cheated me by changingmy wages ten times. However, God has not aallowed himto harm me. - P38
9 So God has taken away yourfather‘s livestock and has given them to me. - P38
13 I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillarmade a vow to me. Now leave this landback to your native land.""
and where youat once and go - P39
16 Surely all the wealth that God took away from ourfather belongs to us and our children. So do whateverGod has toldyou." - P39
The Lord commands Jacob to return to the land of his fathers, promising to bewith him, Jacob tells Rachel and Leah that their father‘s attitude toward himhas changed. Laban has cheated him, but God has given Laban‘s livestock toJacob. Rachel and Leah agree to follow Jacob, claiming that all the wealth Godtook away from their father belongs to them and their children. - P39
Laban becomes filled with jealousy toward Jacob, which only intensifiesthe trouble that Jacob must endure. - P40
In the midst of his mistreatment,
God speaks directly to Jacob and tells him to return to his homeland.
- P40
Rather than seeking vengeance against his corrupt uncle, Jacob immedi-ately takes action to obey the Lord and follow His lead. - P40
When we focuson what others have and what we lack, our hearts become darkenedwith envy. - P40
But when we keep our eyes fixed on God and all that He haspromised, we will not be held down by the people who have tried totake from us. - P40
We can move forward in faith, resting in God‘s protectionover our lives. - P40
While Jacob has not been completely faultless in his dealings with Laban and others,
the Lord has made it clear to him that He has takennotice of Laban‘s actions and the difficulties that Jacob has had to endure. - P40
God appeared to Jacob in a dream and not only encouraged himwith His presence but also provided a solution to overcome Laban‘sattempt to cheat him. - P40
As Jacob recounts this experience to his wives,
they also recognize that that obeying the Lord‘s direction is the bestoption for them. - P40
This is a reminder to us that our all-powerful God isalways watching over us and sees our struggles. - P40
Therefore, we can rely on Him to provide
a way out. - P40
Abraham was far from perfect. But through all his missteps, mistakes,
and misunderstandings, he never once stopped believing that Godwould fulfill His promises. This is the faith that Paul praises in Romans 4. Because of this faith, God declared Abraham righteous. - P41
Letthis truth encourage us today. Like Abraham, we might make foolishchoices in moments of fear or misunderstand God‘s direction at times.
- P41
But so long as we continue believing in His promises, we are considered righteous
because of what Jesus has done for us. - P41
Dear Lord, help me to keep my eyes on You and not on others who seem toprosper unfairly. - P41
Thank you for paying attention to all that happens to me,
especially when I am suffering. May I find rest in Your promises. In Jesus‘
name, amen. - P41
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