READ | SERMON NOTES
SUMMARY l After being forced to flee to Haran to escape Esau’s wrath, Jacob was in servitude to Laban, who repeatedly deceived and cheated him. But God protected Jacob and eventually took away Laban’s livestock and gave them to Jacob. This changed Laban’s attitude toward Jacob. God then instructed Jacob to return to Canaan with his wives and possessions.
Today’s text deals with the fundamental question – who is responsible? Was it Jacob, Laban or God?
The God who moulds us
We have a God who takes responsibility to mould us. Jacob had deceived his brother, but was in turn deceived. Jacob became a victim of the very types of deception that he used to his advantage. Did Jacob deserve to reap what he sowed? Was he responsible for his own suffering? There is no easy answer. However, a clear discipleship principle is that God was moulding Jacob through the 20 years he was with Laban. The process brought Jacob to a point of humbling transformation. Jacob recognised that, throughout the suffering, God was with him and did not allow Laban to harm him.
When we suffer, we may ask why God allows it to happen. Sometimes, we are responsible. Jacob’s own deception, when he took matters into his own hands, led him to flee to Harran where it all began. Sometimes it is the responsibility of others. Laban chose to repeatedly deceive Jacob. But in this account, we see God taking divine responsibility. God took all the brokenness and sin and redeemed it.
God also moulds and shapes us, the same way He did with Jacob. Until Christ returns, it is inevitable that there will be suffering and trials in this world. But no suffering is wasted. God uses our suffering for a redemptive purpose. Through hardship and trials, we spiritually grow up. God moulds us to prepare us for eternity. God is the potter and we are the clay. For the clay to be made usable, air needs to be beaten out of it. The potter reshapes the clay over and over to form a beautiful and sturdy vessel. God uses our failures and trials to draw us to a fresh surrender and dependence on Him. Let us ask God for the grace to allow Him to mould and refine us. Jacob saw God’s hand in the midst of his suffering. He knew that God was always with him. In our suffering, we too can trust God’s hands and heart.
The God who watches over us
God will watch over us. God saw all that Laban did to Jacob, and provided Jacob with divine protection. (v29) In Genesis, God provided generational divine protection for Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. We have a God who watches over us over the generations, even in this broken, damaged world. We must rest in the divine protection and provision of God.
It was God’s oversight that prospered Jacob, and Jacob knew that. (v9) While we may be inclined to take pride in our abilities and achievements and try to be masters of our destiny; the word of God speaks against pride and self-dependence. If we are not careful, we may think the blessing is all because of us. But God is the source. God had, by His own works, blessed Jacob in ways that cannot be explained. Every blessing comes from God – even the ability and opportunity to work or enjoy a meal is a gift from God. Today, let us humble ourselves and acknowledge that God is the true Source of all our blessings.
The God who calls and brings us home
God told Jacob to go back to the land of your fathers. (v3) The promised land Canaan has spiritual significance as Abraham had gone there in faith. Jacob had to run away from Canaan because of what he had done. But now, he had to return to the promised land. Just as God had delivered Israel from slavery to Pharoah, God delivered Jacob from servitude to Laban.
This is a pattern for our salvation as well – culminating in Jesus Christ. We too fell into sin and God delivered us from slavery to sin; and now God brings us home. All that had happened in the Old Testament is a preview of what is to be fulfilled in the new, when Christ comes and does that for us.
Jesus tells us to abide and make Him our home – a place where we belong. One day, God will come and make a dwelling place with us. (Rev 22) Sin lures us to other places and makes us think that is our home. But we are tourists and temporary residents and are not meant to be there. God is the only place where we are to have our home.
Let us come home to a place of surrendered rest. When God dwells with us and takes over our yoke, we no longer strive. Home is a place of committed obedience. Let us ask for God’s grace to always remain in obedience. Home is also the place of divine assignment. We need to abide with the very things that God has placed upon our hearts to do, for that is the centre of God’s will.
Home is where we belong. God invites us to come back home. He is always with us and in returning, we find God waiting for us, running to us and welcoming us home. We have a God who moulds us, watches over us and calls and brings us home. Will we allow God to take this responsibility over our life?
(Sermon notes by Denis Koh)
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- Study Scripture:
a. Read Genesis 31. What stands out for you? use blessing has become something to be competed over and taken? - Recall Sermon
a. Can you identify with Jacob? How has God moulded you through your trials and suffering?
b. Discuss God’s provision for Jacob and His protection over him. How has He been watching over you and your family? Share a testimony to glorify God.
c. What is God’s “home” for you in this season? Do you need to return “home” and how will you do it? - Relate Personally
a. What about the message that really spoke to you? - Commit to Action
a. In what ways is God calling you to act in response to the message?
