Walking In The Favor of God
Genesis 31
Scripture: Genesis 31:1-3, 20-21, 31
1 Jacob heard that Laban's sons were saying, "Jacob has taken everything our father owned and has gained all this wealth from what belonged to our father." 2 And Jacob noticed that Laban's attitude toward him was not what it had been. 3 Then the LORD said to Jacob, "Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you."
20 Moreover, Jacob deceived Laban the Aramean by not telling him he was running away. 21 So he fled with all he had, and crossing the River, he headed for the hill country of Gilead.
31 Jacob answered Laban, "I was afraid, because I thought you would take your daughters away from me by force.
Scripture: Genesis 31:1-3, 20-21, 31
1 Jacob heard that Laban's sons were saying, "Jacob has taken everything our father owned and has gained all this wealth from what belonged to our father." 2 And Jacob noticed that Laban's attitude toward him was not what it had been. 3 Then the LORD said to Jacob, "Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you."
20 Moreover, Jacob deceived Laban the Aramean by not telling him he was running away. 21 So he fled with all he had, and crossing the River, he headed for the hill country of Gilead.
31 Jacob answered Laban, "I was afraid, because I thought you would take your daughters away from me by force.
Observations and Applications:
Have you ever seen parents who played favorites with their children? How about a boss or perhaps a coach who elevates certain individuals while others can never do anything right? Have you ever been one of the favorites or one of those picked on people? If you’re the favorite do you feel special? Have you started to think that for some reason you must be better than the others? If you have been in the scorned group have you tasted injustice and declared your protests of life not being fair?
Genesis chapter 31 ends the saga of Jacob and Laban. Jacob had fled from his deceit to his father Isaac and now he is fleeing in deceit from his father-in-law Laban. What is incredible is to see God’s hand watching over this man of God despite his behavior. Who says that grace is only a New Testament concept? Jacob has been chosen by God and despite all of Jacob’s issues and through Laban’s selfishness Jacob had been favored by God and he had been extremely blessed. God told Jacob that he should leave Laban and that He (the Lord) would take care of him.
Jacob had not learned to trust in the favor of God, and because he is operating in a “I’ll take care of myself” mentality, he sneaks out of town. Without even realizing it Jacob’s behavior has placed himself in harms way. Rachel steals the gods of Laban and Laban is also mad that Jacob left without due notice. God’s intervention stops Laban from harming Jacob and tells Laban to leave Jacob alone.
Do we believe that we are favored by God? How many times have I tried to deliver myself from my circumstances and have simply jumped from the frying pan into the fire? If God tells me to do something and to not be afraid, that he will be with me, why do I take things over and try to do things in my strength and in my way? God’s grace will supply the power to do whatever it is that I am being asked to do. God will provide this despite me, I just have to trust in the favor of the Lord and follow his word. Thank God we also have the Holy Spirit to direct our actions.
Walk today in the FAVOR OF THE LORD!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for your favor bestowed through your mercy and grace. Help me today to walk through my day dependent on your hand to guide me. I don’t want to do things on my own but trust in you.
