Laban's Last Ploy

Introduction

Takeaway #1: Don’t Let <insert> stop you from God’s Direction.

Read vv. 25-26

The time has come…Elaborate on Jacob’s wages with wives. 14 years.

Jacob’s continued focus

“my home and my country”

“my land”

Point #1: Don’t let <insert> stop you rom God’s direction

The Danger of Time and Circumstances.

The danger of Abraham to Isaac coming.

The Danger of Delay

How often have we first made a thought....

something to fix in house, only after a couple weeks, we forget about it.

Busyness creeps in and lose our focus.

What is your Delay

Fear

Pride

Comfort

Busyness

Success

Takeaway #2: Be Careful How You View God’s Blessings.

The dialogue

Laban’s Initial Response

Read vv. 27-28

Laban’s Response

Laban’s Enjoyment on the blessings of God.

Laban knows (through divination - not to be positive) that God blesses Jacob and has been the receiving end of it.

Story: roommate who works at panera bread.

Laban enjoys the blessings of God.

Jacob’s REsponse

Read vv. 29-30

Jacob’s fustration - lack of provisions and good.

The illustration: roommate not only recieves the blessings but actually takes it for himself.

Even in his hard work, even in his inclusion into the family triple-fold, even in the knowledge of God’s blessing upon Jacob - Laban takes it for himself.

Jacob’s last plea - would Laban give as one should.

Laban’s respones - NO, but give me your wage. In other words, work for me and I will give your your livestock

Generally, a ranch hand or shepherd would get 10 - 20% of the herd as compensation.

Jacob’s Deal

Read vv. 31-33

Jacob makes an another offer that Laban cannot refuse

He seems to be good about that.

seven years for wife. (14)

The offer - the spotted lambs and goats will be his. (this was way less that 10-20 %) Especially if the spotted were removed.

The Reality of breeding. (what causes discoloration - cross breeding) Illustration Black Angus.

Laban’s Thoughts and response

Laban’s thoguhts - will not make that much a difference for Jacob will not get much.

Laban’s Response - YES

Laban’s Action

BUT - Laban far from trusting Jacob, takes the initiative.

Read vv. 34-36

Laban’s action

He himself separates the livestocks to make sure not trickery is happening.

Gives the spotted then to the sons to tend so Jacob has no control of them.

separates them for three days journey.

Laban’s point: self-reward and not compassion.

Point #2: Be Careful how you view the blessings of God

The Labans

View the blessings of God for self.

Sees the blessings of God for self purposes.

Views God for self

Application

A. Undestand what God’s blessings are

B. Blessings underneath the call to be like Christ

The Jacobs

There are times when people use and abuse us because of our demeanor of our walk with the Lord.

That coudl even be materially and financially.

But that coudl also be our fruit of the Spirit.

Feeding of the Five Thousands.

Application

A. Understand that people will come and abuse us.

OF course, be wise and do not enable or be too soft,

Use it to serve God.

B. Blessings as part of our stewardship.

Takeaway #3: God’s Blessings Exists Even Despite Faulty Schemes

Jacob’s Turning the Table

Jacob Turns the Table

Read vv. 37-42

What was Jacob doing?

Jacob’s plan with the branches.

STriped branch would breed striped or spotted livestocks.

Is this true. not really - the science is not there.

But it was a superstitious practice that animals woudl breed to the characteristics of what it was seeing.

Jacob overplays as Esau with red now with LAban with white

Jacob’s plan with strong verses weak.

This one makes a little more sense.

bull sale (list of characteristics)

God’s Blessing

Read verse 43

God blesses Jacob

The main question - was Jacob wrong. There is much disagreement.

No rebuke is given. While Jacob sought something faulty. God continued to bless him. The point is that blessings come from God.

Point #3: God’s Blessings Exists Despite Faulty Schemes

As we have seen, God continues to bless even when we have it wrong.

Application: PRaise God for Blessings and Seek the right path

A: Praise God for the blessings even when we have it wrong.

The Depht of God’s Grace.

B: Seek the Lrod and His way

This grace does not give us a nonchalant attitude to do what we want and how we want it.

Conclusion

In Laban’s last ploy

we see ultimately the real world of trickery and selfish gains. We as believers must be on guard on how we view God’s Blessing and how we can minister amonst those who abuse it.

There will be times people will take advantage, but take heart, the victory will end up being in Christ. As good as the blessings are, so much more is God’s presence and Plan f