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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Tuesday, 3 December 2024:
Genesis 29:11 — Then Jacob kissed Rachel and wept aloud.
Jacob is overcome by emotion as he experiences the miraculous outpouring of God’s blessings upon him despite his many failures. In chapter 27, Jacob is forced to flee his family following his incredible moral failure which incited a murderous rage in his brother Esau. Then, while in the wilderness (both a literal and figurative, emotional desert), Jacob has an incredible encounter with God when God restated His covenant with him, and Jacob became personally aware of God’s continued presence and blessings, despite Jacob’s shortcomings and life challenges. Now, after 450 miles of hard travel, Jacob, without map and compass, lands upon the very location he had intended at the exact time his future wife was approaching. No doubt, the parallel between how God orchestrated this “chance” encounter with Rachel, compared with how God had orchestrated the meeting between Abraham’s servant and Rebekah in Genesis 24 wasn’t missed by Jacob. Jacob could clearly see God graciously fulfilling His promises in the moment, and he wept aloud in joy and gratitude, likely to the dismay of Rachel and others who watched. Only God could fully understand what Jacob was feeling. Do you trust in God’s continued presence and provision through life’s desert experiences when you don’t “feel” His comfort, and do you pay attention to, and appreciate, how God is blessing you through your circumstances?
Genesis 29:14-15, 19 — …and Laban said to him, “Surely you are my bone and my flesh!” And he stayed with him a month. Then Laban said to Jacob, “Because you are my kinsman, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what shall your wages be?”… Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to any other man; stay with me.”
Jacob was the son of the famed and wealthy “Uncle Isaac and Aunt Rebekah,” Laban’s sister, and he travelled a great distance with the intent of marrying one of Laban’s daughters. However, Laban made Jacob work as a servant. How Jacob responds reveals much about his character. How do you feel and act when others inappropriately treat you like a servant?
- Mark 10:42-45 — And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
- Philippians 2:5-7 — Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
- John 13:12-15 — When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.
- Philippians 2:3 — Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
Genesis 29:20 — So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her.
Love, joy, and peace. Love makes the difficult seem like nothing at all. Joy is a powerful encouragement based on hope in the future which overpowers any current discomforts and creates enthusiastic persistence, perseverance and endurance; and peace is a overarching sense of well-being despite current challenges, trusting God in the moment and with the future. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will obey my commandments,” because only love can empower obedience, and love makes obedience not only easy but desired. Is obedience hard or easy for you?
- Galatians 5:22-23 — But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control….
- 1 John 5:3 — For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.
- Matthew 11:28-30 — “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
- Hebrews 12:2 — …looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Genesis 29:25 – Why then have you deceived me?
Throughout the Bible you will notice that God often allows people to be treated the same way they treat others. Jacob deceived others, and now he is the victim of deceit. Ironically, the deception he committed was very similar to what he experienced – both involving misrepresentation of identity.
- Galatians 6:7 — Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
- Job 4:8 — As I have seen, those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same.
- Psalm 7:16 — His mischief returns upon his own head, and on his own skull his violence descends.
- Proverbs 26:27 — Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.
- Matthew 7:2 — For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.
Genesis 29:26 – Laban said, “It is not so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn.”
Another theme throughout the Bible is a warning not to confuse traditions, customs, social norms, or even morality (what society says is right and wrong) with God’s commands and will. Colossians 2:8 says, “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.” Laban followed worldly principles and practices over what he should have done, and it would contribute to the breakup of his family. To be clear, Laban only proclaimed his commitment to cultural norms and traditions to take advantage on Jacob and get what he wanted, to justify his selfishness. Similarly, people will often use misapplied biblical principles to justify their sinful behavior.
- Mark 7:8-13 – “You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” And he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition! For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ But you say, ‘If a man tells his father or his mother, Whatever you would have gained from me is Corban’ (that is, given to God)— then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother, thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do.”
- Matthew 23:23 — “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.
Genesis 29:30 – So Jacob went in to Rachel also, and he loved Rachel more than Leah, and served Laban for another seven years.
Jacob’s polygamy caused great pain and suffering which would have an impact for generations. God’s plan for marriage is that one man and one woman would marry, become “one” in spirit, and raise up godly children, passing faith from generation to generation. (see Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:3-9; Ephesians 5:31; 1 Timothy 3:2; 1 Timothy 3:12; and Malachi 2:13-16)
Genesis 29:35 — “This time I will praise the Lord.” Therefore she called his name Judah.
Only God can fill the love void in your heart and satisfy your needs. Leah wasn’t loved by her husband Jacob as she should have been. So, she had children hoping they would cause Jacob to finally love her. However, seeking to earn Jacob’s love was a hopeless endeavor. Eventually she realizes it is God who truly loves her and deserves her affections and praise, and she dedicates her last son, Judah, to the Lord. Jacob loved Rachel more that Leah and mistreated Leah but notice that it is Leah’s son Judah who becomes part of the lineage of Jesus (Matthew 1:3) rather than a child from Rachel. Though Leah was not honored by Jacob, she was honored by God in a way no one could imagine. Seek the Lord with all your heart, and trust Him through your circumstances to bless you beyond your imagination. He loves you more than you can comprehend. What He has in store for you is so much greater than what you have been asking for Him to give you.
“Not only would Leah have the honor of mothering the priestly (Levi) and royal (Judah) tribes of Israel, she is also ultimately the mother of the Savior who Himself embodies both of these roles (Heb. 7:11–22). If this supreme honor was given to Leah, how can we doubt that God will exalt us in His own timing? If you are in Christ and feel unloved and unwanted, know that God loves you and will raise you up in His good time.” (Ligonier Ministries)
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 3 December 2024: Today, practice acknowledging the presence of God and His perfect provision in your current circumstances, especially when you don’t “feel” His presence and provision; and pay better attention to how God is blessing your life through your circumstances. Throughout the day, pause, count your blessings, and thank God. Also, tell others about the goodness of God.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 