Studies in Genesis

Studies in Genesis Presentation 46

The Prison of Frustration Gen 30v25-31v21 Presentation 46

Introduction Jacob had spent 14 long years in the school of discipline working for Uncle Laban. But he knew a growing sense of dissatisfaction, for God had a great plan for his life - a plan that was linked to the land of Canaan. How could he return home? His wives felt secure in the familiarity of their own land surrounded by their wider family and friends. And even if they were prepared to make the trip, he was economically dependent upon his uncle. Jacob may have been imprisoned by circumstances but God was about to turn the key! Sometimes Christians say, 'I know I'm meant for something else’. Like Jacob they too feel a prisoner of their circumstances, they also need to wait for God to turn the key. Presentation 46

Providing Material Independence Laban must have panicked, when Jacob first mentioned a return to Canaan in v25. For under Jacob’s supervision the ‘Laban and Sons Meat Packaging Co.', had produced pre-tax profits that astounded the middle east stock market! Losing Jacob was out of the question. Laban would never think of asking, ‘Would this be a good move for Jacob and his family?' or ‘Would this move advance the purposes of God?' Laban thought only of himself. He could have been in the writes mind who said, ‘The man who lives by himself and for himself is apt to be corrupted by the company he keeps’. Selfishness is the greatest single contributor in the world of strained human relationships. Presentation 46

Providing Material Independence Laban wanted to hold onto Jacob because he realised that the wealth he currently enjoyed was as a result of God blessing Jacob’s labour. 'The Lord has blessed me because of you'v27. Time and again in scripture we read of unbelievers being blessed because of their association with men and women of God. Potiphar's house was blessed for Joseph's sake Gen.39.15. Mephibosheth was blessed for Jonathan's sake 2 Sam. 9. The presence of Christians in a workplace, neighbourhood, or nation can bring significant blessing to the ungodly, and some like Laban, Are able to recognise that. They are truly sorry, when such people move out of their lives for with them goes God’s blessing. Presentation 46

Providing Material Independence Laban highlights a human predicament. He wanted God’s blessing but was not prepared to seek it for himself. Could he have submitted his life to God? Yes! but it would have involved a radical upheaval and giving up his idolatrous life. On the other hand his family idols made no moral demands upon him. They could be brought out and consulted as required and then returned to their cupboard. Laban considered that God's rule was too high a price to pay. Many people attend church because they enjoy the warmth of Christian fellowship. In fact they are enjoying the blessing of God second hand. They would miss their Christian friends. But they have not yet been able to submit themselves to God's rule in their lives. Are you like that? Presentation 46

Providing Material Independence Laban has a scheme to avert the crisis cf v27. Much as it pained him to do so, he offered to pay Jacob! And he is delighted, when Jacob not only agrees but offers to take 'second rate animals', the ‘spotted and speckled sheep’, as his wages v31-32. Once agreed, Laban immediately puts in motion a scheme to keep Jacob economically dependant upon him. The spotted and speckled animals were removed from the flocks and given to Laban's sons who were told to take them three days journey away v35. And so those animals most likely to produce speckled and spotted offspring are deprived of the opportunity of doing so. Laban understood something of genetics, when speckled male animals mate with a non-speckled females there is an increased chance of speckled offspring! Presentation 46

Providing Material Independence But Laban had failed to take into account of Jacob’s ally - God. The secret of Jacob's past success had been his relationship with God, who had promised both to enrich and protect him. Jacob was ultimately in the employ of God and not of Laban. This heightens our understanding of work even in the most thankless of environments. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free. Eph 6.7-8 God would prosper Jacob beyond his wildest dreams. When Jacob bargained with God at Bethel he had asked for safety, food and clothing but God provided him with much more. cf. 30.43 Presentation 46

Jacob’s Trust Jacob trusted God ! Today, and apparently also then, the dominant colour of Bedouin sheep was white. The dominant colour of their goats was black or dark brown. Spotted animals were in the minority. Despite Laban’s deceitful behaviour Jacob continued to honour their arrangement. An arrangement that Laban changed apparently to his advantage several times and still Jacob did not object. Why? The only possible answer is that Jacob had faith that God would bless him in spite of all that Laban did. He had been round animals long enough to know that solid coloured parents do sometimes give birth to speckled offspring. He looked to God, not to defy the laws of genetics but to alter the percentages in his favour. Presentation 46

Jacob’s Trust What was the point of the partially peeled branches placed at the water troughs. Is this not scheming Jacob attempting a breeding experiment of his own? Some think Jacob believed that the prenatal experience at the watering troughs could influence the offspring that would be born. Others suggest that some sort of biological explanation, which science has not yet discovered, lay behind this move. Calvin, suggests that God commanded Jacob to set up stripped branches, which he did not as a physical means of producing speckled and spotted offspring but to be a symbol of Jacob's faith and obedience. The stripped branches are therefore to be viewed as a sign of Jacob's confidence in God. Presentation 46

Jacob’s Trust This view gathers support from 31.9. Jacob tells his family that his wealth was not due to his ingenuity but to God’s provision. He describes a dream given by God to confirm and strengthen his faith. In it he saw the manner in which the speckled and spotted sheep were born. Jacob learned to trust God as the provider of his material needs. Some Christians find it hard to believe that God interested in their material welfare. But he is! God will not allow his work nor the lives of his people to fall into decline for lack of material support, when they look to him in faith to provide. Presentation 46

Providing Clear Guidance God also gave Jacob clear guidance concerning his return 31.1-2. The roots of Jacob's family were being loosened by the friction created by Laban and his sons. Indeed, if Laban had treated Jacob kindly, he might easily have settled in Haran. God sometimes uses sore circumstances to get us to move on. Not that circumstances themselves are ever the basis for guidance. Some people are too quick to jump to the conclusion that because circumstances are difficult at work, or with their studies or in their church fellowship they should move. However, when we are tempted to settle for less than God wants for our lives then his providence arranges what is necessary to move us on. Presentation 46

Providing Clear Guidance If circumstances alone are not enough for guidance what else forced Jacob's move. We read in v3 ‘the word of God came to Jacob’. The substance of the conversation is found in v13. God identifies himself as the ‘God of Bethel’ thus reminding Jacob of his encounter and the commitment made 20 years previously. And God says, ‘On the basis of the relationship, which was established then, I am calling you to obedience now’. God continues to speak to his people and to guide them by his word. He reminds us that we are not our own, that our lives are not our own to do with as we wish. We have been bought with a price. Presentation 46

Providing Clear Guidance Is God reminding you of a time long ago, when you committed your life to him? You were prepared to go wherever and do whatever pleased him. Have there been years of quiet preparation so that God now wants you to take the next step? But are we in a position to hear God speak to us? A musical ear, is developed and becomes increasingly sensitive by paying careful attention to timing, scales and beat. So too, only our careful attention to God's Word matched by a desire to obey it will cause our sensitivity to God’s voice to be heightened. Presentation 46

Providing Family Support God had provided the material means and clear guidance for Jacob’s return home. However, there was one further concern to be dealt with. How would his family react to the news? It would mean great sacrifice; the severing of family ties, a new land, a new culture and a dangerous journey. From what we know of Rachel and Leah, it would be a surprise if they agreed about anything! Can you sense Jacob's apprehension in v5 as he unfolds his plan? But God had already been at work in their hearts. These women are all set to leave! Are we not often needlessly apprehensive about God's call to service. We ask, 'What will my wife, my husband, my parents, my children say... ?’ Jacob’s God can be trusted to prepare the way. Presentation 46

Providing Family Support The agreement and support of his family came at exactly the right time. Had Jacob raised the subject years earlier it is unlikely that he would have met with such a positive response. What had made these women so open to Jacob's plan? They had come to recognise that they had been no more than pawns in their father's scheming selfishness. He had treated their marriage to Jacob as no more than a money making matter. Normally, a father would settle a dowry upon his daughter, or the new husband would bring a dowry for this bride so that if he were to die or divorce her then she would still have some financial means of support. Rachel and Leah were unlike every other bride in the Middle East! Presentation 46

Providing Family Support Laban had cheated them out of any dowry. Jacob had paid 14 years hard labour for his wives. He had enriched Laban whose daughters had watched him squander that wealth. And, so in v16 they say to Jacob, 'Do whatever God has told you'. Oh the wisdom of God's timing, they were prepared and ready to go! What agonies of heart God sometimes has to bring us through that we may arrive at a point of release, where we say to a member of our family, 'Do whatever God has told you!' Presentation 46

Conclusion We began by thinking of Jacob’s frustration. He knew that God's plan for him lay outside of and beyond his present circumstances. There seemed to be so many obstacles standing between him and the fulfilment of that plan. The prison door seemed firmly shut. Until Jacob discovered that there is an unseen hand that opens prison doors. ‘These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open’. Rev.3.7. When the prison has done its work in our hearts, God brings us out into a place of marvellous liberty and fruitful service. Presentation 46

Studies in Genesis