the Fourth Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 1 of 5
Genesis 31:1-21
Beside all that is sad in Jacob’s behaviour, let us acknowledge his patience. He bears without complaint weariness and hardship as well as all the injustice he has suffered at the hand of Laban. What sustains him is remembering the land given by the LORD to Abraham and to his seed. He has not forgotten the promise which God made to him at Bethel to bring him back to the "land of his fathers". This hope has stayed alive in his heart and the moment has at last arrived when it is going to be fulfilled. Christians, strangers on the earth, do we not also have a promise from the Lord concerning the heavenly Country into which He will soon have us to enter? This hope should give us all the patience and all the courage we need to endure difficulties and even injustice.
Whilst obeying the LORD’S command (v. 3), it is sad to see that Jacob remains true to his sly character: he deceives Laban by fleeing without his knowing. Does this not show a lack of trust in God? The One who gave Jacob the order to set out, would not allow Laban to stop him (v. 24). And Laban could only acquiesce because he realised as before "The thing proceedeth from the LORD" (Genesis 24:50).
