Hey God, Can We Talk? I’m at a Fork in the Roadনমুনা

Day Two: Jacob at Peniel and Mahanaim Part 1

At Jacob’s second major fork in the road, he had a massively significant conversation with God that changed not only his mobility but also his perspective and identity. In order to appreciate the gravity of this conversation, we have to consider the backstory that led to this experience, which is what we’ll look at today. Prior to this fork in the road, Jacob had worked for his uncle, Laban, for twenty years. He had been tricked by Laban into marrying Laban’s less-than-pretty daughter, Leah, after working for Laban for seven years. When Jacob agreed to work another seven years for Laban, he was given Laban’s beautiful daughter, Rachel, as his wife. Furthermore, Jacob received wages for working for his uncle in the form of sheep, goats, and cattle; therefore, with God’s blessing, Jacob was extremely prosperous.

In Genesis 31:1-16, this second fork in the road of Jacob’s life becomes evident. These verses describe how Laban’s sons were jealous of Jacob’s growing prosperity, how God spoke to Jacob about going back to his homeland, and how his wives agreed with Jacob about moving away from their father and returning to his homeland. These verses reveal three important factors we should consider when pursuing God’s input about making major decisions in our lives: 

1. Consider God’s Word. What does the Bible say about a decision you might be making? Is there biblical alignment for one path more than another? It is important that we make decisions that are aligned with biblical principles.

2. What do you sense in your heart? In Genesis 31:3, God spoke to Jacob and told him to return to his homeland.

3. Circumstantial agreement is important. In Genesis 31:1-16, it is clear that the circumstances supported what Jacob was sensing in his heart. The welcome Jacob had experienced with Laban had evaporated. Laban’s sons were jealous of Jacob’s prosperity, and Jacob’s wives were in agreement about returning to Jacob’s homeland.

In this last point about the circumstantial agreement, I recognize that circumstances cannot always lead or control the decisions we make. Sometimes our circumstances seem to be opposed to what we sense God is saying to us in our hearts. When this happens, it is wise to pause, take inventory, and consider the timing for our decisions and actions. Let’s also be certain that just because God leads us in a particular direction does not mean that this direction will be smoothy groovy.

As Jacob followed God through bumpy terrain, he came to a fork in the road that was really challenging. After he left Laban—taking his wives, all of his many children, and abundant wealth—he had to face the reality that he was running into a situation from which he had fled twenty years earlier—Esau’s death threat. Jacob was returning to his homeland and would have to meet Esau. He had a lot to lose. So much so that he sent all of his possessions and his family ahead across the Jordan River while he spent the night on the other side.

Reflection:

Are you currently facing a fork in the road? Consider the three factors we looked at today:

· What does the Bible say about a decision you might be making? Is there biblical alignment for one path more than another?

· What do you sense in your heart?

· Are there circumstances that are pointing you down one path more than the other?