Bible Talks: The Story of Jacob

 
“AND LABAN said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for naught? Tell me, what shall thy wages be? v. 15.
If Jacob at this time did not realize the cleverness of his uncle Laban, he was soon to discover that here was a man who would take advantage of him at every opportunity and use him in every possible way for his own gain. Jacob the bargainer was to meet his match in Laban and to prove through twenty long years that, “Whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap.” Yet, harsh as these measures were to be, God was allowing them as part of Jacob’s schooling, and the lessons were necessary in bringing him to the realization that in himself he was nothing at all and that God was his only refuge and strength (Psa. 46:1,71<<To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth.>> God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1)
7The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. (Psalm 46:7)).
As this portion is pondered, it is well to give serious thought to one’s own pattern of life. Let each seek grace to profit by the serious and sad mistakes of this saint of old. It is ever true that “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble,” and there is real profit in learning in a practical way the admonition, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up.” James 4:6,106But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. (James 4:6)
10Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. (James 4:10). Had Jacob been willing to let this pattern rule his life we may be certain that many burdens would have been lifted from him. The same can be said with equal certainty as to the walk of the child of God today.
Less responsibility for his deceitfulness fell on Laban than on Jacob, for the former was a stranger to the God whom Jacob had known through his fathers. It is useless to expect from worldly men anything but worldly ways and principles, Where the believer stoops to bargaining with worldly men, he reduces himself (for all practical purposes) to the same level. There he may experience many harmful results, often beyond remedy. This was the case with Jacob at this time in his life.
But again our thoughts as to Jacob’s wretchedness are arrested by thoughts of the grace shown to him by a compassionate God. Surely none but God could take up one like Jacob and appoint him to a final place of honor in the history of his people. Nor could anyone but God make him an object of His love. But the natural heart cannot penetrate into God’s counsels or ways with poor, lost man. If we but look at ourselves we must each one agree that we have a nature very similar to that of Jacob and we will be equally amazed that God can look with favor upon any one of us. Jacob’s descendants, the people of Israel, could say: “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy... He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him.” Psa. 103:8,10,118The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. (Psalm 103:8)
10He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. (Psalm 103:10‑11).
We who know in our souls the redemptive work of Christ at Calvary can say: “The kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us " Titus 3:4,54But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (Titus 3:4‑5).
Memory Verse: “FOR BY GRACE ARE YE SAVED THROUGH FAITH; AND THAT NOT OF YOURSELVES: IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD.” Eph. 2:88For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (Ephesians 2:8).
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