“Genesis 31:10-16”

Sunday, February 16, 2020

“And it came about at the time when the flock were mating that I lifted up my eyes and saw in a dream, and behold, the male goats which were mating were striped, speckled, and mottled. Then the angel of God said to me in the dream, “Jacob,” and I said, “Here I am.” He said, “Lift up now your eyes and see that all the male goats which are mating are striped, speckled, and mottled; for I have seen all that Laban has been doing to you. I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar, where you made a vow to Me; now arise, leave this land, and return to the land of your birth.”' Rachel and Leah said to him, 'Do we still have any portion or inheritance in our father’s house? Are we not reckoned by him as foreigners? For he has sold us, and has also entirely consumed our purchase price. Surely all the wealth which God has taken away from our father belongs to us and our children; now then, do whatever God has said to you.'”

---End of Scripture verses---

“I lifted up my eyes and saw in a dream, and behold, the male goats which were mating were striped, speckled, and mottled.” (verse 11) When Laban had asked his son-in-law six years earlier to name his wages for the services he would perform, Jacob's demands were not based upon his own personal expertise and not a design of his own making. An angel of the Lord had appeared to him in a dream directing him to request the striped, speckled and mottled animals. God had shown Jacob that He would be controlling what was going to happen with the Laban's livestock, and all that had taken place in the interim was a result of that.

“I have seen all that Laban has been doing to you.” (verse 12) The angel conveyed to Jacob that God had seen all of Laban's trickery and treachery from the very beginning until the present. The truth was veiled from Jacob's eyes when Laban had substituted Leah as a wife instead of Rachel, but the Lord had seen that outright lie as plainly and clearly as the light of a new day. God was looking on the entirety of every moment of the full fourteen years that Jacob toiled for the hands of his two wives (one of which he did not desire), and how that Laban reaped the rewards of Jacob's loyalty and righteousness while the laborer was left penniless.

Friends, the Lord allows us to go through some prolonged difficult times, but that is not an indication that He has forgotten us or abandoned us. We may wonder where the Lord is when we are suffering affliction or mistreatment, but please take comfort and courage in knowing that He is watching, paying very close attention and He is involved in the affairs of your life. “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28) We cannot always perceive that the Lord is working things out in our favor, and doing so according to His own perfect time frame, but we must trust Him from the mindset of steadfast faith. We can't see the Lord working above and behind the scenes of our lives, that is why we must “walk by faith” and “not by sight” and “take good courage” when the going gets tough (2 Corinthians 5:7).

“I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar, where you made a vow to Me; now arise, leave this land, and return to the land of your birth.” (verse 13) This appears to be the Lord's words from a different and more recent dream or vision or revelation. The first dream came to Jacob before he made the deal with Laban to stay and serve to provide wages for his own family's prosperity (Genesis 30:31-32). The words of verse 13 came to Jacob after the attitudes of Laban and his sons had turned hostile toward him and the Lord urged him to leave Haran and return home to the land of promise. God recalled to Jacob's mind the commitment he had made to Him at Bethel two decades earlier. A lot of time and trials had transpired since then, and Jacob needed a reminder of prior promises and future responsibilities.

“Rachel and Leah said to him, 'Do we still have any portion or inheritance in our father’s house?” (verse 14) Both Rachel and Leah were in complete agreement with each other that their proper place was with Jacob in Canaan and not with their father in his unhappy home. “By the whole of Laban's attitude towards them, both at their marriage, and ever since, it was plain he never intended to give them anything; but kept all he had to himself, or designed it for his sons, and therefore it was in vain for them to hope for anything; signifying to Jacob hereby, that they were willing to leave their father's house, and go with him when he pleased, since they could expect nothing by their stay here.” (Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible)

“Are we not reckoned by him as foreigners? For he has sold us, and has also entirely consumed our purchase price.” (verse 15) “He had not treated them as children, nor even as freeborn persons; but as if they were foreigners that he had taken in war, or bought of others; or at least, that they were born bondmaids in his house, and so had a right to sell them as he had... he had sold them to Jacob for fourteen years' service, as if they had been his slaves, instead of giving dowries with them as his children... that which he got by the servitude of Jacob, instead of giving it to them as their portion; he spent it on himself and his sons, and there was nothing left for them.” (Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible)

“Surely all the wealth which God has taken away from our father belongs to us and our children.” (verse 16) Rachel and Leah were more shrewd and perceptive than they were loyal and true. They knew that the true power and wealth lie with their husband now and not with their father and brothers. It was obviously in their best personal interest to stay with Jacob and travel with him back to his homeland because they would be much better provided for in his entourage than to be left behind with the broken and embittered men of their homestead. Jacob had entered Haran detached and destitute and was leaving as the head of a wealthy and powerful small nation of a family. The Lord had been with him, protected and provided for him exactly as He promised He would.

“Do whatever God has said to you.” (verse 16) Friends, no more meaningful and wise counsel could ever be given!!! Whatever the Lord tells us to do, the best course of action is to just listen and comply completely! “Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves... But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.” (James 1:21, 22, 25) If you want to be blessed in what you do, and more importantly, if you want your soul to be saved for eternity, receive the word of God, believe it and DO it!!! Obey all of God's commands contained in the Bible to the very best of your ability and you will be earthly blessed and heavenward bound!!!

Please read Genesis 31:17-21 for tomorrow.

Have a blessed Lord's Day!

- Louie Taylor

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