Genesis - Patriarchs: Jacob - week 3

SATURDAY STUDY & DEVOTIONAL

Jacob certainly reaps what he sows, and the cheater gets his comeuppance as he himself is cheated. This isn’t karma nor mere chance. On the one hand, this is a proverbial truth that those who live by the sword die by the sword, or as previously discussed, that sin has consequences. Sometimes sinners may seem to get away with it for a little while, but evil will never be left in the darkness. Therefore, on the other hand, this is more than natural consequences, it is a supernatural discipline.

Jesus says, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops” (Luke 12:1-3). Our wrongdoing will be revealed.

Laban’s ruse over Jacob is an act of divine discipline used to grow, mature, and teach Jacob. He must learn that his cheating and lying ways have consequences. We know that God disciplines those he loves (Rev 3:19). He doesn’t rub our faces into our mistakes, but he does let us sometimes feel it a bit in a form of severe mercy. Of course, God does not do evil and not every misfortune in Jacob’s life has divine causation. However, this example does teach us to look at circumstances and seek God in them. When misfortune, pain, suffering, or any other hardship occurs, our response should be to turn to God in worship, seeking his face in them. What is God trying to teach you through this? How is God showing his love for you in the middle of this hardship? This type of thinking turns our gaze away from ourselves and back to a holy, pure, good, loving God.

The thing to remember is that for the Christian, there is no punishment. The penalty of our sins was paid by Jesus, and he was punished for them on the cross. God never punishes or torments. He is never abusive or careless. But he does discipline those he loves. First, turn your gaze back to the Father. Second, worship him and know he loves you. Third, ask him what he is trying to teach you.

REFLECTION & NOTES

Are you going through a hardship right now? What do you think God is trying to teach you in it?

Do you believe that God loves you, or do you believe (or respond as if you believed) that he hates you? Why or why not?

What does a God-honoring worshipful response look like during hardship?