WordLive - Year OneSample

Prepare: Thank God for all that is good, lovely and beautiful in your life. For home, good relationships, laughter and provision. Remember the places where you have felt most safe and at peace, and give him praise.

Running home
Strife and contention are never far away from Jacob’s life. Laban’s sons are disgruntled with him (v 1); Laban himself has changed his mind about Jacob (v 2) and he deceives his father-in-law by running away from him (v 20).

This is Jacob’s moral signature and it’s far from flattering. It seems that when he is hard-pressed, his instinct is to flee (v 21). But again, we cannot discount God’s involvement. God tells him twice to return home (vs 3,13) and reminds him of the encounter at Bethel (v 13).

God won’t let go
This reference to Bethel is highly significant. It is where he experienced God personally, heard his voice, received a promise and to where he will return. God simply won’t let him go, despite his many flaws.

God’s purposes are transformative for individuals and communities alike. He loves Jacob too much to abandon him to his circumstances, and so he confronts him with the need for faith.

Respond: Has there been a ‘Bethel’ in your life? Somewhere where you have experienced the presence of God in such a powerful way that you find yourself returning there either in mind or body time after time? Reach out to him now and praise the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-07-20