God's Will

Anyone who has spent time studying Genesis has to be extremely confused when it comes to Jacob. He apparently was fighting with his brother even in the womb, took advantage of Esau's predicament to obtain his birthright and tricked his father to obtain his blessing. Turnabout is fair play, of course, so when Laban mischievously gives him Leah instead of Rachel as they had agreed, I'm sure some of you said to yourselves, "Serves him right." 

Genesis 31:2 is one of the great understatements in the Bible, and it says "And Jacob noticed that Laban's attitude toward him was not what it had been." One of my favorite books of all time is Tom Wolfe's "The Bonfire of the Vanities," and a small part of the book deals with a couple that had taken in a British house guest who was showing no signs of leaving anytime soon. While not completely applicable, Jacob knows what time it is, and knows that six years of enriching himself at Laban's expense will probably have a less-than-desirable end. Therefore, it is quite fortuitous and timely that in 31:3, God tells Jacob to leave and return to the land of his people.

Which brings me to my point. Knowing that God was with him, Jacob quite likely could have just gone to Laban, settled up in whatever manner they chose and left--it WAS God's will that Jacob leave, and Laban certainly had to have been aware of the special favor under which Jacob worked, but did Jacob choose that option? Of course not--he decided to do things his way and sneak off. Did it do him any good? No, because Laban caught up with him, and whatever Jacob was trying to avoid happened anyway.

"I'd never do that," I hear the resounding cry of you three readers say. "I know the Lord would be with me and I'd walk right up to Laban and tell him I'm leaving." I'd like to think I also would act this way, but let's not judge Jacob too harshly just yet--do we take comfort in the knowledge that the Lord has spoken to us and told us he will provide for us? Do we willingly and obediently do his will (such as we can determine it)? Jacob was doing the right THING--he was returning to the land of his forefathers, he just didn't do it the right WAY. Think about that the next time you wonder just what God wants you to do--I would argue that not only will he tell you WHAT to do, but also HOW to do it.

Scott