God Is Witness

God Prospered Jacob, 1-3

Previously, He had prospered Laban because of Jacob, now it was just Jacob

Laban’s sons, who were no longer prospering (they were being compensated for their time and talent) were disgruntled. (people who get something for nothing get angry when it goes away)

Clearly, Jacob wanted to leave

Conveniently, God wanted Jacob to Leave

Jacob Heads Home, 4-21

He assembled his family and presented his plan, 4-13

He gains approval, 14-16

He enacts his plan, 17-21

He leaves

He leaves when Laban is away sheering sheep

He clearly believes Laban would impede his departure, or worse

He takes Laban’s “gods,” idols that he worships, thanks to Rachel

Jacob is confronted, 22-43

Laban caught him despite the headstart, but he also received a vision of warning from God

Laban searched for the things that were actually his, the idols, but does not find them

Jacob makes it clear why he left the way he left, verse 42

Laban confirms Jacob’s charge, 43

Jacob and Laban part ways, 44-55

They make an agreement to not attack each other…with the inference that they will not see each other at all

Jacob calls God to witness

serve as a notary of their arrangement

serve as enforcer of their arrangement

God had clearly been a witness on Jacob’s behalf for many years, whether Jacob invoked Him as such or not. God is a witness on our behalf as well. He notes the wrongs we suffer (and the wrongs we commit). He ultimately will bring about His plan for our lives and our reward.

Romans 8:28 NKJV

28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

The question for us is will we trust God to be a witness on our behalf or not?