Studies

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Studies in Genesis
Presentation 46
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The Prison of Frustration Gen 30v25-31v21
Presentation 46
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Introduction
Jacob had spent 14 long years in the school of
discipline working for Uncle Laban. But he knew a
growing sense of dissatisfaction, for God had a
great plan for his life - a plan that was linked
to the land of Canaan. How could he return home?
His wives felt secure in the familiarity of their
own land surrounded by their wider family and
friends. And even if they were prepared to make
the trip, he was economically dependent upon his
uncle. Jacob may have been imprisoned by
circumstances but God was about to turn the key!
Sometimes Christians say, 'I know I'm meant
for something else. Like Jacob they too feel a
prisoner of their circumstances, they also need
to wait for God to turn the key.
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Providing Material Independence
Laban must have panicked, when Jacob first
mentioned a return to Canaan in v25. For under
Jacobs supervision the Laban and Sons Meat
Packaging Co.', had produced pre-tax profits that
astounded the middle east stock market! Losing
Jacob was out of the question. Laban would never
think of asking, Would this be a good move for
Jacob and his family?' or Would this move
advance the purposes of God?' Laban thought only
of himself. He could have been in the writes mind
who said, The man who lives by himself and for
himself is apt to be corrupted by the company he
keeps.
Selfishness is the greatest single contributor in
the world of
strained human relationships.
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Providing Material Independence
Laban wanted to hold onto Jacob because he
realised that the wealth he currently enjoyed was
as a result of God blessing Jacobs labour. 'The
Lord has blessed me because of you'v27. Time and
again in scripture we read of unbelievers being
blessed because of their association with men and
women of God. Potiphar's house was blessed for
Joseph's sake Gen.39.15. Mephibosheth was blessed
for Jonathan's sake 2 Sam. 9. The presence of
Christians in a workplace, neighbourhood, or
nation can bring significant blessing to the
ungodly, and some like Laban, Are able to
recognise that. They are truly sorry, when such
people move out of their lives for with them
goes Gods blessing.
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Providing Material Independence
Laban highlights a human predicament. He wanted
Gods blessing but was not prepared to seek it
for himself. Could he have submitted his life to
God? Yes! but it would have involved a radical
upheaval and giving up his idolatrous life. On
the other hand his family idols made no moral
demands upon him. They could be brought out and
consulted as required and then returned to their
cupboard. Laban considered that God's rule was
too high a price to pay. Many people attend
church because they enjoy the warmth of Christian
fellowship. In fact they are enjoying the
blessing of God second hand. They would miss
their Christian friends. But they have not yet
been able to submit themselves to God's rule in
their lives. Are you like that?
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Providing Material Independence
Laban has a scheme to avert the crisis cf v27.
Much as it pained him to do so, he offered to pay
Jacob! And he is delighted, when Jacob not only
agrees but offers to take 'second rate animals',
the spotted and speckled sheep, as his wages
v31-32. Once agreed, Laban immediately puts in
motion a scheme to keep Jacob economically
dependant upon him. The spotted and speckled
animals were removed from the flocks and given to
Laban's sons who were told to take them three
days journey away v35. And so those animals most
likely to produce speckled and spotted offspring
are deprived of the opportunity of doing so.
Laban understood something of genetics, when
speckled male animals mate with a non-speckled
females there is an increased chance of speckled
offspring!
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Providing Material Independence
But Laban had failed to take into account of
Jacobs ally - God. The secret of Jacob's past
success had been his relationship with God, who
had promised both to enrich and protect him.
Jacob was ultimately in the employ of God and not
of Laban. This heightens our understanding of
work even in the most thankless of environments.
Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the
Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord
will reward everyone for whatever good he does,
whether he is slave or free. Eph 6.7-8 God would
prosper Jacob beyond his wildest dreams. When
Jacob bargained with God at Bethel he had asked
for safety, food and clothing but God provided
him with much more. cf. 30.43
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Jacobs Trust
Jacob trusted God ! Today, and apparently also
then, the dominant colour of Bedouin sheep was
white. The dominant colour of their goats was
black or dark brown. Spotted animals were in the
minority. Despite Labans deceitful behaviour
Jacob continued to honour their arrangement. An
arrangement that Laban changed apparently to his
advantage several times and still Jacob did not
object. Why? The only possible answer is that
Jacob had faith that God would bless him in spite
of all that Laban did. He had been round animals
long enough to know that solid coloured parents
do sometimes give birth to speckled offspring. He
looked to God, not to defy the laws of genetics
but to alter the percentages in his favour.
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Jacobs Trust
What was the point of the partially peeled
branches placed at the water troughs. Is this not
scheming Jacob attempting a breeding experiment
of his own? Some think Jacob believed that the
prenatal experience at the watering troughs could
influence the offspring that would be born.
Others suggest that some sort of biological
explanation, which science has not yet
discovered, lay behind this move. Calvin,
suggests that God commanded Jacob to set up
stripped branches, which he did not as a physical
means of producing speckled and spotted offspring
but to be a symbol of Jacob's faith and
obedience. The stripped branches are therefore
to be viewed as a sign of Jacob's confidence in
God.
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Jacobs Trust
This view gathers support from 31.9. Jacob tells
his family that his wealth was not due to his
ingenuity but to Gods provision. He describes a
dream given by God to confirm and strengthen his
faith. In it he saw the manner in which the
speckled and spotted sheep were born. Jacob
learned to trust God as the provider of his
material needs. Some Christians find it hard to
believe that God interested in their material
welfare. But he is! God will not allow his work
nor the lives of his people to fall into decline
for lack of material support, when they look to
him in faith to provide.
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Providing Clear Guidance
God also gave Jacob clear guidance concerning
his return 31.1-2. The roots of Jacob's family
were being loosened by the friction created by
Laban and his sons. Indeed, if Laban had treated
Jacob kindly, he might easily have settled in
Haran. God sometimes uses sore circumstances to
get us to move on. Not that circumstances
themselves are ever the basis for guidance.
Some people are too quick to jump to the
conclusion that because circumstances are
difficult at work, or with their studies or in
their church fellowship they should move.
However, when we are tempted to settle for less
than God wants for our lives then his providence
arranges what is necessary to move us on.
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Providing Clear Guidance
If circumstances alone are not enough for
guidance what else forced Jacob's move. We read
in v3 the word of God came to Jacob. The
substance of the conversation is found in v13.
God identifies himself as the God of Bethel
thus reminding Jacob of his encounter and the
commitment made 20 years previously.
And God says, On the basis of the relationship,
which was established then, I am calling you to
obedience now. God continues to speak
to his people and to guide them by his
word. He reminds us that we are not our
own, that our lives
are not our own to do with as we wish.
We have been bought with a
price.
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Providing Clear Guidance
Is God reminding you of a time long ago, when
you committed your life to him? You were prepared
to go wherever and do whatever pleased him. Have
there been years of quiet preparation so that God
now wants you to take the next step? But are we
in a position to hear God speak to us? A musical
ear, is developed and becomes increasingly
sensitive by paying careful attention to timing,
scales and beat. So too, only our careful
attention to God's Word matched by a desire to
obey it will cause our sensitivity to Gods
voice to be heightened.
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Providing Family Support
God had provided the material means and clear
guidance for Jacobs return home. However, there
was one further concern to be dealt with. How
would his family react to the news? It would mean
great sacrifice the severing of family ties, a
new land, a new culture and a dangerous
journey. From what we know of Rachel and Leah,
it would be a surprise if they agreed about
anything! Can you sense Jacob's apprehension in
v5 as he unfolds his plan? But God had already
been at work in their hearts. These women are
all set to leave! Are we not often needlessly
apprehensive about God's call to service. We
ask, 'What will my wife, my husband, my
parents, my children say... ? Jacobs God can
be trusted to prepare the way.
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Providing Family Support
The agreement and support of his family came at
exactly the right time. Had Jacob raised the
subject years earlier it is unlikely that he
would have met with such a positive response.
What had made these women so open to Jacob's
plan? They had come to recognise that they had
been no more than pawns in their father's
scheming selfishness. He had treated their
marriage to Jacob as no more than a money making
matter. Normally, a father would settle a dowry
upon his daughter, or the new husband would
bring a dowry for this bride so that if he were
to die or divorce her then she would still have
some financial means of support. Rachel and Leah
were unlike every other bride in the Middle
East!
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Providing Family Support
Laban had cheated them out of any dowry. Jacob
had paid 14 years hard labour for his wives. He
had enriched Laban whose daughters had watched
him squander that wealth. And, so in v16 they say
to Jacob, 'Do whatever God has told you'. Oh the
wisdom of God's timing, they were prepared and
ready to go! What agonies of heart God sometimes
has to bring us through that we may arrive at a
point of release, where we say to a member of our
family, 'Do whatever God has told you!'
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Conclusion
We began by thinking of Jacobs frustration. He
knew that God's plan for him lay outside of and
beyond his present circumstances. There seemed to
be so many obstacles standing between him and the
fulfilment of that plan. The prison door seemed
firmly shut. Until Jacob discovered that there is
an unseen hand that opens prison doors. These
are the words of him who is holy and true, who
holds the key of David. What he opens no one can
shut, and what he shuts no one can open.
Rev.3.7. When the prison has done its work in
our hearts, God brings us out into a place of
marvellous liberty and fruitful service.
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