Genesis 31 (2)

Father God, we thank you for You. Thank you for the Word. May your Word be a lamp unto our feet and a light to our path in the name of Jesus, Amen. Thank you LORD.

Today's post is a continuation of Genesis 31. Previously, we saw God instructed Jacob to depart from Laban's house and return to his father's land. So Jacob flees from Laban with his wives, his children and all of his wealth and belongings.

Laban in fury goes after Jacob not only because he fled but he also discovers that some of household gods/idols were stolen. Laban tells Jacob in Genesis 31:26, "What have you done, that you have stolen away unknown to me, and carried away my daughters like captives taken with the sword?"

Genesis 31:31-32 reads, "Then Jacob answered and said to Laban, "Because I was afraid, for I said, "Perhaps you would take your daughters from me by force.' With whomever you find your gods, do not let him live. In the presence of our brethren, identify what I have of yours and take it with you."For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them."

Laban searches all of Jacob's tents, including his wives and still found no stolen gods. Interestingly, Rachel had hidden the idols by sitting on them (Genesis 31:34). She said to her father, "Let it not displease my lord that I cannot rise before you, for the manner of women is with me." And he searched but did not find the household idols." (Genesis 31:35).

This infuriated Jacob who vents to Laban and reminds him of the unfair treatment he experienced during those twenty (20) years he served him (Genesis 31:38-41). At the same time, Jacob acknowledges that despite Laban's unfair treatment, God was by His side and kept him safe during his stay there. In Genesis 31:42 he says, "Unless the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. God has seen my affliction and the labor of my hands, and rebuked you last night."

This is the beauty and faithfulness about the LORD. He is always ready to stand with you, to bless, to protect, to comfort and to deliver you through every trial by ensuring you emerge victorious just like He did with Jacob.

This chapter ends with Jacob and Laban making a covenant of peace where Jacob would not marry other wives besides his daughters (Genesis 31:50) and they would not both cross certain perimeters to cause each other harm (Genesis 31:53).

I'll end with these verses found in Genesis 31:54-55 (NKJV)

"54.Then Jacob offered a sacrifice on the mountain, and called his brethren to eat bread. And they ate bread and stayed all night on the mountain.

55.And early morning Laban arose, and kissed his sons and daughters and blessed them. Then Laban departed and returned to his place."

AMEN. Thank you LORD.

Invitation to salvation: I invite you to make this confession that invites you to new covenant that is found in the precious blood of Jesus Christ where we get to have a personal relationship with God, the Father and are kept safe in His love and protection:

"I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that; Jesus Christ, the Son of God came in a human body to die for my sins so that I could have a new life where I am dead to sin and alive to God. I repent of my past sins and enter the Kingdom of light where I choose relationship with Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour and with God as my loving Father today and forever." AMEN.

Congratulations, by grace you are saved and are now a new creation in Christ Jesus. The old life has passed away and you have received the free gift of salvation into your life (2 Corinthians 5:17) where you get to freely access everything I've shared in this post. To the glory of the Almighty God. Amen.

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PS: Remember to read Genesis 31 alongside this post in your personal devotional time and share your thoughts in the comments below!