Blessed Through My Affliction

36Then Jacob became incensed and brought charges against Laban. “What is my crime? ” he said to Laban. “What is my sin, that you have pursued me? 37You’ve searched all my possessions! Have you found anything of yours?A Put it here before my relatives and yours, and let them decide between the two of us. 38I’ve been with you these twenty years. Your ewes and female goats have not miscarried, and I have not eaten the rams from your flock. 39I did not bring you any of the flock torn by wild beasts; I myself bore the loss. You demanded payment from me for what was stolen by day or by night. 40There I was — the heat consumed me by day and the frost by night, and sleep fled from my eyes. 41For twenty years in your household I served you — fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flocksa — and you have changed my wages ten times! 42If the God of my father, the God of Abraham, the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me, certainly now you would have sent me off empty-handed. But God has seen my affliction and my hard work,A and he issued his verdict last night.”

GOD’s promised presence

Because of Jacob’s bad habits and the compliance with his mother’s plot to deceive his father for the blessing, his brother is bitterly upset with him and planned on killing him once Isaac passed. So Isaac and Rebekah send Jacob away to Rebekah’s native land to find a wife. On the way, GOD appears to Jacob in a dream and confirms the covenant blessing. He affirms that he is with him and will not leave him and will do what he promises. Jacob obviously didn’t know GOD intimately yet. But this was the beginning of him learning what it meant to walk with GOD. He vows that if GOD watches over him on his journey and return to his father’s house, the Lord will be his GOD.

Application: Many might assume that after such an affirmation from GOD, that life will now be all peachy. But that is not the case. What happens next will be a test and testament to trusting in the promised blessing from GOD.

Jacob’s hardships - You will reap what you sow!

14 years of trouble

Laban tricked him

Jacob arrives on his uncles land, sees his daughter Rachel and loves her beauty. Begins caring for his Laban’s sheep for free, then finally is offered compensation. Jacob asks for Rachel in marriage as payment.

Marriage and baby mama drama

Laban agrees for Jacob to work 7 years for Rachel. 7 years goes by, Laban holds a feast to give his daughter in marriage, but it’s night time and Jacob can’t tell. By morning he finds out it’s Leah. He tricked him, then told him their custom wasn’t to marry off the younger before the firstborn. (I hope y’all can hear the irony in that) Then Laban says another 7 years, and he can officially have Rachel, the one he loved.

Application: The beginning of Jacobs hardships is from the trickery of his father-in-law/uncle. He only wanted one wife, and ended up with 2 wives. Deception. Is this not starting to sound familiar? Wasn’t Jacob deceptive? Understand from this, in life, we will reap what we sow!!

Being used for another’s benefit

But that wasn’t all of it. Now he has two wives, who are sisters. Leah is not as attractive as Rachel, and Jacob loves Rachel more than Leah. Leah can have kids, and births 4 sons. Rachel can’t, so she gives Jacob her maid Bilhah so she can have adopted kids (she has 2). Leah stops being able to have kids, so she gives her maid Zilpah so she can have adopted kids (she has 2). Rachel and Leah envied each other. They were fighting one another on who could have kids and be loved the most by Jacob. And faulting him. And using him. Jacob ended up with 11 sons in just 7 years!!

He loved his family, but the reality is that just like his Laban did him, his wives were doing the same thing. And that’s using him for their own benefit. In fact, that’s exactly what Laban recognizes in ch. 30:27, the Lord has blessed me on your account.

Application: Who knows what it’s like for folk to only want you around for what it brings them? They don’t really care for your GOD, but they love the hospitality, generosity, fortunate events, etc. that occur because of what GOD has put in you!!!

Lesson - GOD is not destroying you, he is disciplining you

Now really put yourself in Jacob’s shoes for a minute. GOD you said you were gone be with me on this journey. And this doesn’t at all feel like you are with me!! My father-in-law has gotten over on me, and early on, my wives are doing the same thing. GOD are you trying to destroy or punish me?

Application: Understand, when you reap what you sow, it is not God’s intent to destroy you but to discipline you. Now that I’m on this path of trusting GOD to be with me, I don’t deceive as I used to, although I’m being deceived! 1 Peter 4:1, he who suffers ceases from sin! Jacob is on that path because he says he has dealt with Laban honestly!

Jacob’s turning point

So Jacob was having a rough life. And it go to the point where he was ready to make a change! Thank you father. GOD knows when we learn our lesson and he empowers us to make a shift for better!

Desire to return home, but too broke to provide

After 14 years, Jacob is mentally ready now to return home. He has a huge family and wants to provide for his own. Expresses to Laban his desire. But even after 14 years of hard work, he’s too broke because Laban had been benefiting more.

6 years to gain herds

Laban changed his wages

So Jacob proposes to work more time to gain herds of sheep and goats.

Jacob said all the spotted, streaked, or speckled sheep will be my wages. But Laban removed all of the present ones. That made it feel impossible. Jacob got creative, because when you’re down and out, you do whatever you can to provide.

GOD intervenes the mistreatment | GOD is still in control

But it just so happened that when the sheep would mate, the solid colored sheep started producing streaked, spotted and speckled babies. Jacob learns from an angel that this was a sign that GOD was intervening to make him prosper.

Application: When it is desperate measures, and you’re on your back in this life, know that GOD can lift you up. And when it happens, you will know that it’s not by your own doing.

Lesson - If it hadn’t been for GOD

Jacob charges Laban, you have mistreated me, all these 20 years. I was honest, but you were getting over on me. I slaved for your benefit. But if GOD had not been for me, I would’ve been sent away empty handed.

Application: Even though times have been hard, people have been harsh, you’ve gone through years of hell, etc. GOD sees your affliction. GOD is for you and with you. A turning point will arrive! Ask any seasoned child of GOD in here, afflictions don’t last forever. And because GOD is faithful, and promised to be with me, we must respond in faith and know that a change will come!! GOD blesses us through the affliction!!!

Application: One of these days, GOD is going to tell your oppressor just like he told Laban, Leave Jacob Alone!!!

Conclusion: Whatever you are suffering right now, know that there’s always a lesson to learn! God is not destroying you, he is disciplining you for stronger faith. Then also know that GOD is still in control. As distant as he may seem, and if it feels right to doubt his promise, you need to remind yourself that even in your hard times, GOD is still in control!! And one of these days, GOD will say, leave my child alone!!!