QT 11/7/2025 Gen 31:10-21, Trust God in that ugly situation

Genesis 31:10–21 (ESV) —

10 In the breeding season of the flock I lifted up my eyes and saw in a dream that the goats that mated with the flock were striped, spotted, and mottled. 11 Then the angel of God said to me in the dream, ‘Jacob,’ and I said, ‘Here I am!’ 12 And he said, ‘Lift up your eyes and see, all the goats that mate with the flock are striped, spotted, and mottled, for I have seen all that Laban is doing to you. 13 I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and made a vow to me. Now arise, go out from this land and return to the land of your kindred.’ ” 14 Then Rachel and Leah answered and said to him, “Is there any portion or inheritance left to us in our father’s house? 15 Are we not regarded by him as foreigners? For he has sold us, and he has indeed devoured our money. 16 All the wealth that God has taken away from our father belongs to us and to our children. Now then, whatever God has said to you, do.”

17 So Jacob arose and set his sons and his wives on camels. 18 He drove away all his livestock, all his property that he had gained, the livestock in his possession that he had acquired in Paddan-aram, to go to the land of Canaan to his father Isaac. 19 Laban had gone to shear his sheep, and Rachel stole her father’s household gods. 20 And Jacob tricked Laban the Aramean, by not telling him that he intended to flee. 21 He fled with all that he had and arose and crossed the Euphrates, and set his face toward the hill country of Gilead.

 

NOTE: This is the first crisis. The attitude of Laban and his sons has changed from what it had been, and now they are angry and resentful. They feel like everything was stolen, all of their inheritance, even though it was Laban who took every chance to deceive Jacob again and again. Also, the sisters were carrying away most of the wealth that was the son's inheritance. I'm not sure why Rachel steals the family 'gods.' They are worthless and yet Rachel thinks not. Leah was probably a better and more spiritual wife. Rachel's beauty was skin deep. Leah had to rely on her faith. Jacob's actions are not exemplary either but I am not sure what I would have done. It was certainly better to get off the ground that Laban owned and get to a neutral place. Would Laban have attacked Jacob, his daughters and his grandchildren? I doubt it. Still, he did have a right to say goodbye to his "children," and to retrieve his possessions, the family 'gods.' It is an ugly situation all around. The only good thing is the next few verses where God appears to Laban in a dream and warns him about his actions. As we will see on Monday, most of the time God works indirectly, but there are times where God must work directly to accomplish his will. God changes this ugly situation directly, and he will if he must.

 

PONDER:

1. We need to trust God to answer our prayers. Yes, we take prudent actions, but ultimately, despite our actions we will face the piper, and must trust God.
2. What is the situation where I must trust God?

 

PRAYER: Father, I pray for your intervention where required. Accomplish your will in our life and may we give you thanks.