R³ Devotional - Day 21

In chapter 27 of Genesis, it has become apparent Isaac wants to bless Esau before he dies.  When Rebekah learned that Isaac was preparing to bless Esau, she quickly devised a plan to trick him into blessing Jacob instead.  Although God had already told her that Jacob would become the family leader, Rebekah took matters into her own hands.  She resorted to doing something wrong to try to bring about what God had already said would happen.  For Rebekah, the end justified the means.  No matter how good we think our goals are, we should NOT attempt to achieve them by doing what is wrong.  Would God approve of the methods you are using to accomplish your goals?  

How we react to a moral dilemma often exposes our REAL motives.  Frequently we are more worried about getting caught than about doing what is right.  Jacob did not seem concerned about the deceitfulness of his mother’s plan; instead, he was afraid of getting in trouble while carrying it out.  If you are worried about getting caught, you are probably in a position that is less than honest.  Let your fear of getting caught be a warning to do right.  

Chapter 28 of Genesis we find that after Esau had been deceived, Jacob ran for his life, traveling more than 400 miles to Haran, got married, and started a family.  When you lose something of great value, or if others conspire against you and succeed, anger is the first and most natural reaction.  But you can control your feelings by (1) recognizing your reaction for what it is, (2) praying for strength, and (3) asking God for help to see the opportunities that even your bad situation may provide.  In the last two verses, it seems Jacob was trying to bargain with God.  Was he?  It is possible that he, in his ignorance of how to worship and serve God, treated God like a servant who would perform a service for a tip.  More likely, Jacob was not bargaining but pledging his future to God.  He may have been saying in effect, “Because you have blessed me, I will follow you.”  Whether Jacob was bargaining or pledging, God blessed him.  But God had some difficult lessons for Jacob to learn.

Chapter 29 reveals how Jacob is deceived as he had similarly deceived his father, Isaac.  With Laban tricking Jacob into working another seven years to be able to marry Rachel, Laban got him to agree to work another seven years.  People often wonder if working a long time for something they desire is worth it.  Jacob worked seven years to marry Rachel.  After being tricked and agreeing to work an additional seven years for Rachel (although he did get to marry Rachel shortly after he married Leah)!  The most important goals and desires are worth working and waiting for.  Movies and television have created the illusion that people have to wait only about an hour to solve their problems or get what they want.  Don’t be trapped into thinking the same is true in real life.  Patience is hardest when we need it the most, but it is key to achieving our goals.