Jacob’s Retaliation Plan

Jacob’s Retaliation Plan

Genesis 30: ²⁵ And it came to pass, when Rachel had borne Joseph, that Jacob said to Laban, “Send me away, that I may go to my own place and to my country. ²⁶ Give me my wives and my children for whom I have served you, and let me go; for you know my service which I have done for you.”

 

²⁷ And Laban said to him, “Please stay, if I have found favor in your eyes, for I have learned by experience that the Lord has blessed me for your sake.” ²⁸ Then he said, “Name me your wages, and I will give it.”

 

²⁹ So Jacob said to him, “You know how I have served you and how your livestock has been with me. ³⁰ For what you had before I came was little, and it has increased to a great amount; the Lord has blessed you since my coming. And now, when shall I also provide for my own house?”

 

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By now, twenty or more years had passed. Jacob worked for Laban seven years, only to get a wife he did not expect. He worked another seven years to get the wife he wanted. Then he had children by four women. He knew livestock well. He and Rachel tended the sheep and other animals. Jacob had a plan to get the livestock.

 

My Observations:

• Jacob wanted to bypass marrying Leah to marry Rachel, but Laban tricked him into marrying her.
• Jacob originally only wanted Rachel, but after serving Laban for a couple of decades, he wanted more.
• Jacob approached Laban, telling him he had fulfilled his verbal contract and wanted to leave.

 

Listening to Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob went back to the family to find a wife who followed GOD. He carried with him the ways of a deceiver. His could have married Leah and went back home, but Jacob wanted what he wanted. His deceitful ways seemed to be backfiring on him.

 

He has to work harder and longer than expected. BUT GOD blessed his efforts anyway. He was able to grow Laban s herds and flocks, exponentially. Jacob ended up with three wives he did not anticipate. ’One day he put in motion a plan to get back at Laban.

 

Challenge:

• Why do you think GOD told Moses about the conversation between Jacob and Laban?
• Have you ever dreamed of a plan to retaliate because of someone’s evil he or she did to you?
• Are you willing to ask GOD for HIS grace for you and “that” person so HIS vengeance will happen and HIS blessing will fall on you?