Mon.’s Devo - Jacob’s Journey Home

Read: Genesis 31:17-32:12; Matthew 10:24:11:6; Psalm 13:1-6; Proverbs 3:16-18 Jacob and his family had their marching orders from the Lord and they headed back to Jacob’s homeland in Canaan. Laban was out sheering his sheep so they would be able to flee without being detected. *** They got three days’ journey before Laban found out and it took out after him. It took another seven days for Laban to find them but he was not happy. God warned him the night before not to harm or speak good or bad to Isaac. *** Rachel had taken his household gods which made him double mad. When he approached Isaac he asked him why he didn’t tell him he was leaving so he could send them off with a party and kiss his family good-bye. Jacob told him he thought he would force his daughters to stay. *** They searched all of Isaac’s things for the household gods which Isaac knew nothing about. Rachel had hid them in a saddle and sat on it. She was pregnant and said she couldn’t get up. So they never found them. This lie and her idolatry would cost her her life. *** Laban and Isaac made a covenant that they would not cross the place they were to harm the other. They ate a meal and spent the night on the mountain. In the morning they both went their separate ways. Jacob was met by the angels of God and named the place Mahanaim which means “camp of angels”. *** On to the next test. Jacob sent messengers ahead to tell Esau he was coming and about what he had been doing. He told him about all he had accomplished and asked for favor with him. The messengers returned with news that Esau was coming to meet him along with 400 men. This really concerned Jacob. He split his people into two groups and put his family in the last group. He thought if Esau was mad and attacked the first group, the second group might have a chance of escaping. Jacob prayed for safety and mercy. *** Jesus continued his instructions to his twelve he was sending out. He gave a warning to all who follow him and do the things that he did. What they did to him, they would do to his followers. They called him of the house of Satan so they would do the same to his disciples. We are not to fear them because everything that has been covered up will be exposed. We are to be as bold as they are. We don’t have things that are secrets, we can shout the truth. *** We do not fear those who can take our lives, they can never take our souls. God is able to protect us. If we are not afraid to confess Jesus before the people, he will confess our names in heaven. *** Jesus didn’t come to bring peace on earth but peace to man’s heart. The gospel is divisive and meant to cause people to take a side. Everyone who receives the good news gets rewarded. *** Jesus sent his disciples out and he went also and taught in the cities. John the Baptist heard about all Jesus was doing and sent one of his disciples to ask Jesus if he was the Messiah they were waiting for. Jesus told him to go tell John all the things he was seeing and hearing. The blind were seen and the lame were walking. The lepers were being cleansed and the deaf were hearing. The dead were raised up and the poor had the gospel preached to them and blessed was everyone who was not offended in him. *** Lord, we long to see all of these miracles in our day and know it is coming. May we not be the ones who are offended in the way you bring our kingdom to earth.