Jacob Had Finally Had It!

No matter how good of a Christian we are, there comes a time when we all say, “enough is enough“! When Laban came to search for his gods in Jacob’s tents, and didn’t find them (even though Rachel had indeed stolen them and was sitting on them), Jacob finally got the chance to let him have it- he spoke words that had been building up in him for the past twenty years:

^38-42 “In the twenty years I’ve worked for you, ewes and she-goats never miscarried. I never feasted on the rams from your flock. I never brought you a torn carcass killed by wild animals but that I paid for it out of my own pocket—actually, you made me pay whether it was my fault or not. I was out in all kinds of weather, from torrid heat to freezing cold, putting in many a sleepless night. For twenty years I’ve done this: I slaved away fourteen years for your two daughters and another six years for your flock and you changed my wages ten times. If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not stuck with me, you would have sent me off penniless. But God saw the fix I was in and how hard I had worked and last night rendered his verdict.” Genesis 31 (38-42) MSG

Jacob was not aware that his wife Rachel had stolen her father’s gods, so in integrity of heart he went in after Laban for accusing him of stealing. He reminded Laban of all the things he had done to earn the right to marry his daughters and earn some sheep of his own in the process of working for Laban. Each of the things he said to Laban were true; and yet no doubt Laban was shocked. He had been trying to pull the wool over Jacob so long, I’m sure he believed his own deception. Yet when confronted with Jacob’s accusations, he decided that he may need to skip the theatrics and make a covenant of peace who Jacob, and that’s just what they did.

Confrontation is difficult at best. There are times however when in order to follow the leader of our soul that we have to pick up stakes and follow HIm. It may require some real and honest communication with your superiors, our family members, and/or your closest friends.

While we may not be able to see clearly through every situation, in every situation we must live what we preach, stand in the midst of failure, and listen closely to the voice of the Great Shepherd of our souls, So that if and when that day comes when we have to confront a situation, all will know it is not to cover something up, but rather to handle every situation with integrity.

Maria