Because I was Afraid

Because I was Afraid

Genesis 31: ²⁶ And Laban said to Jacob: “What have you done, that you have stolen away unknown to me, and carried away my daughters like captives taken with the sword? ²⁷ Why did you flee away secretly, and steal away from me, and not tell me; for I might have sent you away with joy and songs, with timbrel and harp? ²⁸ And you did not allow me to kiss my sons and my daughters. Now you have done foolishly in so doing. ²⁹ It is in my power to do you harm, but the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, ‘Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad.’ ³⁰ And now you have surely gone because you greatly long for your father’s house, but why did you steal my gods?”

 

³¹ Then Jacob answered and said to Laban, “Because I was afraid, for I said, ‘Perhaps you would take your daughters from me by force.’ ³² With whomever you find your gods, do not let him live. In the presence of our brethren, identify what I have of yours and take it with you.” For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them.

 

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After GOD spoke to Jacob, telling him to leave and go back to Isaac and Rebekah’s land, Jacob “stole away”, leaving Laban. Jacob had great wealth because GOD orchestrated the complex deal Laban tried to manipulate. Laban promised to give Jacob all the animals that had spots, then streaks, then blemishes. But each change, GOD would allow the animals to breed in what was said. Laban confronted Jacob about his gods.

 

My Observations:

• Jacob finally told the truth about being afraid.
• Jacob could not deceive his way out of the situation, so he finally had to tell the truth.
• Jacob did not know about Rachel stealing the household gods, so he allowed Laban the right to kill anyone who had them.

 

GOD spoke to Laban, protecting Jacob from harm. Laban was probably going to kill Jacob and try to justify his action. BUT GOD intervened. Laban, knowing what happened to Sodom, was afraid to kill Jacob or take his stuff.

 

Jacob, on the other hand, finally started to tell the truth. “Because I was afraid” was the best answer he could give for leaving without telling Laban. This is a great lesson for you and me. He admitted to being afraid without accusing Laban, at least not yet. He was not shrewd, but honest.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD told Moses about the conversation between Jacob and Laban?
• Have you ever been afraid of something, causing you to finally tell the truth?
• Is GOD putting you in a situation where you finally have to tell the truth?