Read: Genesis 31:17-32:12; Matthew 10:26-11:6; Psalm 13:1-6; Proverbs 3:16-18
Jacob fled with everything he had. He had worked 14 years for his wives and 6 for his flock. Laban found out three days later and took off after Jacob, catching him on the seventh. The night before, God had given Laban a warning in a dream not to speak harmfully or good to Jacob.
He did speak his mind and he was not happy that Jacob left without telling him, and he was most unhappy that he had taken his household gods. Jacob told him he fled because he was afraid of him and that whoever took his gods would not live. He had no idea that his beloved Rachel had taken them.
Household gods were idols. It would cost Rachel her life and she would not get to see Jacob’s promised land or her boys grow up.
Jacob and Laban made a covenant and set a stone as a witness and a dividing line. Neither would cross it and God would be their witness as to how they lived their lives. They offered a sacrifice and ate their last meal together. Laban left but he was only the first of Jacob’s obstacles. The next one would be Esau. Jacob sent messengers to Esau that he was coming. In response, Esau came to meet him with 400 men. Jacob was sweating bullets. He decided to divide his people into three groups. He would send out the first group and if Esau attacked them, the rest could escape.
Jacob reminded himself that he had come with nothing and God had blessed him with a huge company of servants, wives and children. God had also given him a promise to bless him and multiply him as the sand of the seashore. Now, his faith would be tested.
In Matthew, Jesus continued to encourage them of the persecution that was to come. He told them not to be afraid of men who could kill their body because they couldn’t kill their eternal soul. They had to choose who was going to be their master. They had to choose Jesus over family, friends, reputation and their own life. To follow Christ would cost them everything but the reward would be great in heaven. Heaven is for eternity, this life is a fleeting moment.
John the Baptist was still waiting in prison for Jesus to come and rescue him. He had prophesied that the Messiah would open the prison doors and set the prisoner free. Why hadn’t he done that for him? Jesus knew John’s heart and told his men to report back to John the things he was doing. He was giving sight to the blind, walk to the lame, life the the dead and preaching the good news to the poor. Then he said, “Blessed is the man who does not fall on account of me.” In other words… Jesus was telling John to look at the things he was doing instead of the one thing he was not doing.
We all tend to judge God by what he does for us instead of praising him for who he is. God’s ways are not our ways but his are always the best. John would never get out of that prison, but when Jesus was resurrected, he would be released and rewarded for everything he did. John had done what he was sent to do and got his promotion early. He fulfilled his mission of preparing the way for Jesus. Well done, John.
Lord, help us to accept your will as the best for our lives and rest in your love. You are always right!
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