Totally: Getting to Know Our Knowing, Present, Capable, Caring GodSample

When Isaac was old and could barely see anymore, he called his sons to him so he could give them his blessing. With his mother’s help, Jacob tricked his father, Isaac, into giving him Esau’s blessing and birthright by pretending to be Esau. After blessing Jacob by mistake, Isaac sent Jacob to his uncle Laban’s land to find a wife. On the way, Jacob had a dream.

In Jacob’s dream, God affirmed His covenant with Abraham to Jacob. In addition to the original Abrahamic covenant, God promised to be with Jacob. Jacob hadn’t done anything to deserve God’s blessing, but God gave it anyway. Even so, Jacob lacked faith. His promise back to God was conditional. He wouldn’t pledge his allegiance until God proved Himself again.

Laban was just as tricky as Jacob and Jacob’s mother, Rebekah (Laban’s sister) were. Jacob fell in love with Laban’s daughter Rachel, but Laban gave Jacob Rachel’s sister Leah in marriage instead. After working for his uncle Laban for fourteen years, Jacob finally got to marry Rachel as well (polygamy was common practice in those days). Jacob worked for Laban for six more years after marrying Rachel, doing hard labor. During the twenty years Jacob worked for Laban, he learned and grew. God stayed with Jacob and blessed his work so that Jacob became financially independent and was able to leave his father-in-law.

Jacob and his family snuck away because Laban was tricky, and Jacob was afraid Laban would stop him. When Laban discovered that Jacob and his family had left, Laban chased them down, but God intervened. Jacob’s lack of faith didn’t keep God from looking out for Jacob. In the end, Jacob and his father-in-law Laban agreed not to harm each other. They made a pile of rocks to serve as a barrier between them. Laban kissed his daughters and grandchildren goodbye and left Jacob in peace.

Jacob’s first act as a free man was to make peace with his brother Esau, whom he had tricked. Because of how Laban treated him, Jacob knew what it felt like to be tricked and wanted to make things right with his brother. Jacob hadn’t enjoyed his time with Laban but had learned some things. Before he met with Esau, Jacob prayed a prayer that revealed a humble heart and recognition of God’s sovereignty.

God humbles us so we will learn to lean on Him and give Him the glory He deserves.