Day 11: Genesis 31-33
Main People:
Jacob, Laban,
Rebekah, Leah, Esau
Key Points:
*Jacob had
worked for Laban for 20 years (7 for Leah, 7 for Rachel, 6 just to work.) That’s
a long time to keep a promise. Its says a lot about Jacob’s character. He
(normally) was a man of his word.
*Jacob ran
with his wives and kids because he was scared of Laban.
*Laban wasn’t
too happy about that.
*God appeared
to Laban and told him he’d better not mess with Jacob. Laban took him at His
word…
*Laban’s
family had idols. When Jacob and family ran, Rachel stole some. When we move
forward, we need to let go of the past. It’s hard to determine if she wanted
them for the sentimental value, to worship, to sell, or to stick it to her old
man. In any case, it wasn’t the right thing to do.
*Jacob told
Laban if he found the idols at his camp, the culprit would be killed. Don’t
make rash promises or oaths until you know the facts. Would Jacob ‘really’ want
to kill the love of his life, Rachel?
*Once the
Laban situation was taken care of, they had another problem… Esau. The reason
Jacob left so quickly was to get away from Esau (since he stole his birthright and
all).
*Jacob divided
his family into sections. The servants and kids were first. Then Leah and her
kids. Then Rachel and Joseph were in the back… Hmmm… seems ranked on who he
liked the best, didn’t it? I’d been a little miffed if I were a servant/mama.
*To his shock,
Esau ran out and hugged him! They both were very happy to see each other, but
Jacob was a little nervous still. It had been over 20 years since the brothers
had had contact. Esau has appeared to let bygones be bygones. Jacob still had a
lot guilt over it.
Verses that Jumped Out at Me:
31:1,2—Jealousy
made Laban’s son’s jealous. It’s hard to be happy for people when they are
prospering more than we are. It’s something we have to pray about and (frankly)
get over. Everyone’s blessings are different. None better-- none worse to God.
32:26—Tough times
build character (whether we want it to or not ;) )
33:1-11—Life can
hand us some pretty horrible lemons, but we don’t have to stay bitter about
them. Like Esau, we can move past them. It was a big jump for him from plotting
his brother’s murder to hugging him.
Question:
What did God
change Jacob’s name to?
Tomorrow’s Reading: Genesis 34-36
*To find the reading plan I’m doing,
click on the “Our Reading
Plan for 2013” tab.
*On January 31st, I’ll have
a giveaway (I’m doing this at the end of every month). It will have to do with
the reading (so I hope you’re keeping up ;) ) This month’s prize is an ebook
copy of my book CROSSING THE DEEP and a $5 Amazon Gift Card
~Kelly
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