April 14, 2019
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, I greet and bless everyone in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. The blessed word that God has given for you today is from the book of Genesis 30: 26, “Give me my wives and children, for whom I have served you, and I will be on my way. You know how much work I’ve done for you.”
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, The above verse is spoken by Jacob to Laban, after Rachel had given birth to Joseph. In this verse we have an account of an increase. Be fruitful, multiply and fill the earth. God expects an increase in the life of every individual. Jacob at this point of time had eleven sons. Ruben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naptali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulan, and Joseph. He makes a new bargain with Laban. And in all these years, God wonderfully blessed his service, which he did to Laban. And so his stock of cattle increased considerably.
My dear Brothers and Sisters, Here in was fulfilled the blessing with which his father, Isaac blessed him. “ God make thee fruitful and multiply thee.’’ Even small matters concerning Jacob’s house and field are useful for admonition in our life. Jacob had served Laban faithfully though he was an old man and had a large family to provide for and it was high time for him to set up his family for himself. Though Laban’s service was hard, and he had cheated him several times, yet Jacob honestly performed his engagements. Note: “ A good man though he swear to his own hurt, will not change.” He pleads his uncle Laban to let him go to his homeland. He retained his affection for the land of Canaan not only because it was the land of his nativity and his father and mother were there, whom he longed to see, but because it was the land of promise. So he had no idea of settling with his uncle in Haran.
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, this teaches us to be attracted towards our heavenly place, viewing the heavenly country as our home, and longing to be there, as soon as the days of our service upon the earth are numbered and finished. We must not think of taking root here. For this is not our place or country. Jacob was desirous to go to Canaan though he had a great family to take with him and no provision yet made for them. Yet he does not solicit Laban to give him either a portion with his wives, or the maintenance of some of his children. “All his request is “Give me my wives and my children and send me away.” He was very particular to leave to his homeland”.
My dear Brothers and Sisters, Those that trust in God in his providence and promise though they have great families and small income can, cheerfully hope that God is able to feed them with sufficient meat. He who feeds the brood, of the ravens will not starve the seed of the righteous. And Laban said to him “Please stay, if I have found favour in your eyes, for I have learned by experience that the Lord has blessed me for your sake.’’ From this incident we learn that God blesses us when we stick on to the children of God. More over God directed the steps of Jacob. “I am the God of Bethel where you anointed the pillar and where you made a vow to Me. Now arise get out of this land. And return to the land of your family.” Thus Jacob was therefore determined to leave with his wives and children to Canaan, his homeland.
Prayer: Our loving heavenly Father, we thank you for this blessed day. Thank you Lord for teaching us about the importance of our heavenly home through the story of Jacob. How he decided to return to his homeland with his wives and children. May the Lord guide us to make correct decision in our life. Help us to understand the ways of God and act accordingly.
In Jesus name we pray.
Amen.
