e Gals no 28. The Lord will “watch” over…..….Psalm 121:8
Background.
Genesis 28:11-22. Speaks of Salvation and the Church.
As Jacob slept on the stone at Bethel he had a revelation of God. Afterwards he said he had been in the House of God and at the Gate of Heaven so he made the stone into a memorial, poured oil on it and made a vow unto the Lord. His life was changed see 20-22.
At the moment of salvation we are added to the church as “living stones”
1 Peter 2:5 and we are sealed by the Holy Spirit. Eph 1:13-14.
At Bethel, (picture of the Church) Jacob trusted God to “watch” over him - to provide for him and bring him home in peace.
Genesis 29-30:24. Speaks of Backsliding.
Jacob didn’t stay in Bethel - he moved to Haran - to Laban who was a pagan living in a pagan land.
Whilst in theory Laban accepted the God of Jacob - it seems he did not know the Lord and was “theologically confused”. He tricked Jacob into 14 years of service for two wives - when all Jacob wanted was one wife - Rachael. During this time Jacob lived in servitude with constant pain and strife - with his wives and with Laban.
Moving away from God and the Church results in pain, slavery and strife. Genesis 31:38-42 describes it.
Now - Genesis 30:25-36 Speaks of a longing to return to God.
Jacob had lived in a pagan environment for 14 years - in service to Laban. At the end of that time - as soon as Joseph was born - Jacob had a longing to get back to his homeland.! He needed to have his own finances in order to take care of his ever increasing family v30(b) but Laban who was blessed by God because of Jacob - didn’t want to lose the blessings.
God blesses us (and even others through us) when we don’t deserve it.
Genesis 30:37-31:2. Speaks of compromise with the world.
Because Laban doesn’t want to lose him - a plan is drawn up - Jacob is to get all the streaked, speckled and spotted flock. Notice that Laban cheats but God overrules and over the next 6 years Jacob becomes exceedingly wealthy. God prospered him. Compare 3 John 2.
God was blessing Jacob and guiding him just like He had promised at Bethel - but Jacob wasn’t ready to move out yet! Note that whilst Laban was happy to receive the blessings of God for himself - through Jacob - he was not happy for Jacob to get the blessings for himself. Genesis 31:1-2.
Laban is a picture of the God of this world - wanting to use us, trick us and wish us ill! 1 John 2:15-17.
We are not to love the world (the sphere of evil operating under the command of Satan - the lust of the eyes and the pride of life).
Rather we are to do the will of God and to abide in Him - know that we HAVE an “anointing” to know and be guided by the truth.
The Holy Spirit teaches us. 1 John 2:20 &27.
Gen 31:3-13. Speaks of a definite intervention from God!
God spoke to Jacob and said “return - I will be with you.” So Jacob explained to his wives how in a dream God had given him revelation about the flock and told him to move back home.
God had intervened and given direction through a dream - dare to dream BIG and be expectant Ephesians 3:20.
Genesis 31:4 & 14-16. Speaks of Jew and Gentile reconciled. Eph 2:14
Jacob had called both wives who were NOT in contention at this point. They were both in agreement about their inheritance & ready to move!
Jesus died to reconcile us to God and to each other. Jew and Gentile etc.
Genesis 31:17-55 Speaks of our inheritance.
Note that Rachael took her fathers Gods with her! Some see this as a weakness on Rachael’s part. Was she holding onto her fathers religion or thinking the household Gods would bring fertility!! Interestingly the household Gods were linked with inheritance!! For example in a court of law a son-in-law who had the household Gods could make claim to the estate of his father-in-law. I believe Rachael was looking out for the inheritance!!
Remember at Bethel Jacob had anointed the stone - this had been the start of his spiritual journey - and now he actually had legal rights to Labans inheritance.
Compare this with the fact that Jesus the anointed One - has the heathen for His inheritance. Psalm 2:4-8.
Satan wants to steal our anointing as well as our spiritual inheritance.
Lessons for life.
Jacob fled and when Laban overtook him he admitted that God had warned him not to harm Jacob. (Satan has limited power and has to ask God about us - compare Peter Luke 22:31.) At this point Laban and Jacob make a covenant. Taking stones they make a pillar and call it MIZPAH - the Lord watch between me and you... God had been “watching” Jacob all along - keeping him safe - as Jacob travelled on - the angels met him! Ch 32:1.
Don’t be afraid to “move on” with God - you will be camping with the angels.