How many times has that question popped up into your heart? How many times have you said that to God? It's OK. God's a big God and He can handle it. There are times and events in my life that I wish He had of consulted with me about. But, every time I mention it to Him, He comes back to me with this "I'm God and you're not" stuff so I just hang in there until He's gets through. Which, by the way, He doesn't tell you when He's through. I would like to tell Him when to stop some of the things that I'm going through and get on with the blessings but He comes back with "My ways are higher than your ways" stuff and I just say, "Yeah, whatever." What else are you going to do?
Let's take a look at the patriarch Jacob. It was prophesied at his birth that the birthright would be his and not Esau's. Well, why did God let Jacob take it by trickery? After all, Jacob had to run away from the family and be virtually penniless for the next fourteen years. One of the things you have to realize is that Jacob was so full of himself that God had to play second fiddle in his life until God finally had to take him down a peg or two (Gen 32).
Was he really that smart? He runs away to his Uncle Laban's house and falls in love with his cousin Rachel. She's a beauty and he has just got to have her. He has no money but bargains with Uncle Laban to work for him for seven years just to marry Rachel. Where did he live? Eat? Get clothes? From Uncle Laban of course. Uncle Laban began to let real smart Jacob tie a real strong noose around his own neck. Jacob, you've really got it all together, don't you? But, let's not be too harsh on Jacob because me and you haven't been the brightest bulbs on the Christmas tree sometimes either.
Laban had smart Jacob and he knew it. Seven years went by and Laban got Jacob so schnockered at the wedding that he couldn't tell the difference between Rachel and Leah until he sobered up the next morning. Then, when Jacob protested, Laban showed him what a trickster was all about. While Jacob was still reeling with a hangover, Laban talked him into seven more years of free labor to marry Rachel for real.
God, what are you doing? Here's Mr. Birthright Guy with no money, no house but two wives. What do you think that second seven years of FREE labor did to Jacob? It put some grit in his gut and a ramrod in his backbone. I bet his mind and heart began to say to God, "You must have a way out of this. I'll be the man if You will show me Your plan."
Now, let's look at Laban for a moment. He's the bad guy in this story. He treated God's man in a despicable way, didn't he? Well, Jacob did have his stupid moments but then me and you have had ours, too. Don't forget. God has had His work cut out for Him with the dumb stuff me and you have pulled off. OK, back to the story. After the first seven free years, Laban's house began to be filled with his grandchildren. Leah eventually had six. Her servant girl had two for Jacob. Rachel's servant girl had two for Jacob. Jacob had no income, so who was footing the bill for all of these? You guessed it. Uncle Laban. God has a unique way of getting back at those who choose to cheat His children. Remember that.
After the second seven years, Uncle Laban was GLAD to make a money agreement with Jacob just to get him out of the house and out of his pocketbook. But, it didn't work like he thought. Jacob was just as glad to get out. After fourteen years of not having any money and having to bow down to his tricky Uncle, he was ready to allow the birthright to come into play. God had His way of making Jacob appreciate the value of the birthright that had been handed down from his grandfather Abraham. During the next six years, Jacob trusted God and became richer than ALL of Laban's sons. Jacob was forced out of Laban's sight by the blessing of God. What a way to go. Jacob came in poor but left richer than Esau or Laban.
Let's not forget Leah. She was not Jacob's favorite. She always played second wife. She was not as pretty as Rachel and had to live with that all of her life. However, Leah was God's choice. If Jacob had stayed in his father Isaac's home, Isaac would have probably sent for ONE wife. That would have probably been Rachel. However, Rachel was never able to have children very well. It was years before she bore Joseph and she died while giving birth to Benjamin. Leah, who was always second place as far as man could see, was the mother God chose to bring six of the twelve tribes of Israel into being. Although, she was never the beauty that everyone saw Rachel to be, Leah was the beauty that God saw. She was the mother that brought forth the tribe of Levi whom GOD CHOSE to be the priests over His people. And, she was the mother that brought for the tribe of Judah, from whom GOD CHOSE to bring the kings of His people. That included the King of King, Christ Jesus.
God, indeed, had a plan that, maybe, only He could see. He probably was the only One that knew what He was doing. But, believe me, He did it well. Have faith in God.
No comments:
Post a Comment