Today’s Devotion
Topic: The God of Bethel (Part 4)
Text: Genesis 31: 13a
“I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and where you made a vow to me.” Amen
Jacob’s search for Laban has proved successful. He is now living peacefully with his uncle and everything is going well. However, after Jacob had stayed with him for a whole month, Laban said to him, ‘Just because you are a relative of mine, should you work for me for nothing? Tell me what your wages should be.’
Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel had a lovely figure and was beautiful. Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, ‘I’ll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.’
Laban said, ‘It’s better that I give her to you than to some other man. Stay here with me.’ So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her. When it was time for his wife Rachel to be handed over to him, a ceremony was held and Leah was secretly presented instead. When Jacob inquired in disappointment why his uncle did that, the latter explained it was not their custom for the younger to marry before the older. LABAN IS NOT TRUSTWORTHY; JACOB’S WOES HAVE JUST BEGUN.
The young man had to serve seven more years to have Rachel’s hand in marriage too. He never wanted two wives, but due to circumstances beyond his control, he now does. He never wanted Leah, but she has become his first wife. Sometimes life presents us with many things we never bargained for. Yet our ability to subdue them with godliness and come out victorious differentiates us from the others who do not know our God.
After a long while, when Jacob had borne 11 children, including Joseph, he said to his uncle and father-in-law Laban, “Give me my wives and children, for whom I have served you, and I will be on my way. You know how much work I’ve done for you.” But Laban said to him, “If I have found favor in your eyes, please stay. I have learned by divination that the Lord has blessed me because of you.” He added, “Name your wages, and I will pay them.”
Jacob said to him, “You know how I have worked for you and how your livestock has fared under my care. The little you had before I came has increased greatly, and the Lord has blessed you wherever I have been. But now, when may I do something for my own household?” (Gen 30: 25- 30)
Beloved, is it not sad that Jacob, the blessed one, by virtue of circumstances is labouring like a slave for his uncle’s benefit? Laban was not willing whatsoever to let Jacob go because he knew he was being sustained by the blessing upon Jacob. He deviced several schemes as strategies to keep Jacob indebted to him.
This may be your own story too; an employer or superior who does everything to keep you ‘under bondage’ so they may continue to benefit from you. Do not do anything out of impatience to interrupt God’s rescue strategy budding up for you. Rather, see this as a test and trust in the deliverance of the Lord.
Begin to pray right now for yourself and all those who are in similar situations. Ask the Lord for the strength to endure while He works out your deliverance. He is the same God of Bethel who promised to be with you till the end. He’s right beside you to bring you out of every bondage. He never fails!
Tomorrow, we shall continue with a Bible study on how Jacob escaped from Laban and the consequences thereafter, if any. Kindly make a date.
(www.yonghana.org; Like our facebook page: Y OUTREACH NETWORK)
