Genesis Chapter 31

GENESIS 

CHAPTER

 31

1. Now Jacob heard that the sons of Laban were saying, "Jacob has taken all that was our father's; he has gained all this wealth from what belonged to our father."

(Genesis chapter 31 verse 1)

Jacob heard that the Laban's sons were blaming Jacob and for having had taken all of their father's property. They were talking upon supposition that up to that time was backed up with no proof.

In life people are prone to act on suspicion. We either suspect others or suspect that we are are being suspected by someone else, which in time may become a paranoia. On reflecting this attitude of suspicion  may be part of our sinful human nature. As a consequence we eventually began to suspect and doubt in both our fellow persons and in even in God. We may sceptically question and even doubt him and dwell on the issue whether God is really and truly on our side and if yes why may he be not responding  to our prayers.  During moments of crisis we may ask God for His reasons for not helping us to improve our situation. Although we may doubt God  He, always listens to our prayers, however when he responds, He does so in a different way than how we perceive our reality from a human perspective. As humans we view only the immediate situation, however God views the given situation from a wider perspective, taking into consideration issues that are at the time beyond our comprehension. As followers of Jesus Christ and therefore believers but most importantly, children of God we should never doubt him or suspect him but seek better understanding in order to have a positive increase and effect on our spiritual life that helps us to belief more in God and gradually eliminate all of our doubts.

2.  And Jacob saw that Laban did not regard him as favourably as he did before.

(Genesis chapter 31 verse 2)

As is the case of our human nature, when we get what we want from a person, and can no longer pool any more resources, we may question the value of that person. This happens when we treat the person as a fossil fuel that we can simply use and then discard because we can use it no longer. Now that Laban had become increasingly wealthy in both flocks and servants, he did not regard Jacob from the same perspective as before. Previously Jacob had been Laban's lucky charm now that Laban had  got all the wealth and property that he needed Jacob was no longer of use to him.

According to Mr. Deevain ajit pawar who prayed on chapter 31 of the book of Genesis and sent me this synopsis to be edited and published he read that for a man his desire is his greatest enemy because his desire for money ,luxury, etc makes him commit sins that has a negative impact on one's conscience causing the person to neglect God and indulge in  sinful and worldly activities that in order to momentarily satisfy the human pleasure causes us to neglect and forget the true enjoyment that can only be experienced in God. A form of enjoyment that the world cannot ever give.

According to Deevain ajit pawar many of us do the same thing with God. In the beginning of our spiritual journey with God we may pray God for a better and easier life. However, when our situation starts getting better, we start to focus our mind on these luxuries. On the other hand, the devil will start messing up our mind thus, making us enjoy excessively or at times even compulsively that as a consequence our focus may become totally materialistic and our spiritual level or focus will be on a comparative decrease and as we start neglecting our spiritual practices such as attending communion, prayers both personal and in the community etc. Moreover this is not fair on God who has done so much for us, without any selfish motive. When neglecting our spiritual welfare we instantly become victims of the devil and of our sinful selves.


3. Then the LORD said to Jacob, "Return to the land of your ancestors and to your kindred, and I will be with you.

(Genesis chapter 31 verse 3)



Jacob was now in trouble. Nobody appreciated. On the contrary everybody started suspecting him. The state of the situation was not the same as it was before. Sin brings chaos into a peaceful situation. 


We all face some kind of difficulties, hardship, sufferings and or other troubles and tribulations in our lives. During such chaotic moments the Devil always does his best, to take advantage of the given situation. He is clever cunning and is able to deceive us by convincing us to commit one sin after another. However in contrast to the Devil, God is always close by. God who is always with us, really loves us. He does not want to see us in pain. God helps us without imposing Himself on us and robbing us of our liberty, even if this means permitting us to make the wrong decisions. If God imposed his will on us and inhibited our liberty God would have been both selfish and unkind. 

4. So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah into the field where his flock was, 5 and said to them, "I see that your father does not regard me as favourably as he did before. But the God of my father has been with me.

(Genesis chapter 31 verses 4 to 5)

After Jacob had received God's orders, in a spirit of obedience to the will of God, Jacob called his wive’s Rachel and Leah and told them that God has heard him, (I imagine that God talked to Jacob while in a spirit of payer) and assured him of his safety and that of his family. Moreover Jacob shared with his family that God had commanded him to go back to the land of his forefathers.

On reflecting we can think of many situations when people attempted to take our advantage of our situations, who instead of considering our good only considered, their own good. This egoistic trait is totally negative. When doing so we resemble the devil instead of God our father is kind hearted and always thinks of others and their needs. Moreover instead of relying on our egoistic selves we are to trust God for He plays an active role in our lives. He knows when to intervene on our behalf for our own good and will never deceive us or play trick on us like the devil. God not only gives us happiness but also give us people such as friends, and family with whom we are able to share this happiness that makes, our life more beautiful. 

6 You know that I have served your father with all my strength; 7 yet your father has cheated me and changed my wages ten times, but God did not permit him to harm me

(Genesis chapter 31 verses 6 to 7)

Jacob tells his wives that because of his love for them he had served their father Laban for all these years. Moreover it was only this love (and obedience to the will of God) that had kept him employed with Laban especially when considering that Laban had cheated him many times. Jacob in obedience to God had gone against his own frail and sinful nature. On reflecting a person, enduring such conditions would have ran away from the situation and seek his own way instead of God's but, on the other hand God was monitoring the situation and did not permit Jacob to be harmed, on both a spiritual and or physical level.

In our lives we should also love God  as in the way Jacob loved his wives. Like Jacob we are to devote our time and serve God with our full strength, resources and energy, even though, there may be other people who will think ill of us and try to bring harm to us and our family. However we are to rest assured that God will always be looking upon us, and will never permit us to experience, unnecessary harm.

 Have you ever thought that when one needs to go abroad on business or elsewhere that may compel one to have to leave our family behind, that in such circumstances God is looking after your family and is thinking of their well being. Therefore we are to be grateful to God for all his love and care that is never ending and always thank Him for all His blessings and goodness.

8 If he said, 'The speckled shall be your wages,' then all the flock bore speckled; and if he said, 'The striped shall be your wages, ' then all the flock bore striped. 9 Thus God has taken away the livestock of your father, and given them to me.

(Genesis chapter 31 verses 8 to 9)

By means of verses eight to nine of the thirty-first chapter of the book of Genesis, Jacob continues to explain to his how God had worked in his live especially during the unfolding of the God given plan regarding the flocks and how God  had responded to Jacob's needs and made him very wealthy so that Jacob would have enough resources to cater for the needs of his family that had now increased in number and needs.

God helps us in our daily life. Miracles happen  however we cannot understand the reasons behind them if not for God's miraculous intervention. I have read in the newspaper, that a person was medically certified as having died in the hospital, but after a few minutes the person came back to life. We were all aware even doctors have heard of such events that in such cases when the heart had stopped working it started beating again. In relation to this particular patient we all knew that his heart started to beat again for he is still alive. On reflecting, I ask myself the question of  how it started to beat again or let’s say for what reasons that caused it to start beating again.

We are all convinced that God is the master of creation and that he created the whole world. However scientists try to disprove this, however none of them have managed to give water tight theories about how creation actually took place. Charles Darwin wrote the theory of evolution in a spirit of anger with the intention of removing God from the role of Master Creator. On starting his trip, his daughter died. As a scientist he could not understand how God in all his glory could permit his daughter to day (as if his daughter had anything special than your or my daughter or of all the children in the world) In a spirit of anger he attempted to find evidence that would usurp God of His role as creator of the world. No doubt the Devil played a very important role in the formulation of this theory that appeared to be so good and reliable that even some people in the Church considered it as being true and valid. Moreover it is still being taught in our schools today and makes part of the national curriculum.

  

10. During the mating of the flock I once had a dream in which I looked up and saw that the male goats that leaped upon the flock were striped, speckled, and mottled. 11 Then the angel of God said to me in the dream, 'Jacob,' and I said, 'Here I am!' 12 And he said, 'Look up and see that all the goats that leap on the flock are striped, speckled, and mottled; for I have seen all that Laban is doing to you.

(Genesis chapter 31 verses 10 to 12)

Jacob continues telling his wives that he dreamt that the male goat that leaped upon the flocks was striped, speckled and mottled. Moreover Jacob added that  in the dream the angel of God came and told him that that God was watching over him and was aware of the situation of Laban and the flocks. 

Since God is omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient he knows about all that is happening, about to happen or that will happen in the world. He, knows us on a personal level and as I said knows what is going in our lives even better than us. He is a kind and loving father, but he is a just judge too. In the given circumstances God was aware he that Laban had been using Jacob as a means to increase his own personal gains and benefits. Therefore in order to execute justice with Jacob God gave all of Laban's flocks of laban to Jacob.

Whenever we need help God, definitely helps us, directly or indirectly. However, from a human perception this may seem to take a long time. However God acts on our best behalf at the perfect time for our deliverance, either directly or by others people. When seeing us in need of encouragement as in the case of  Jacob God sends us his angels to tell us that he is still active in our lives although at the time in question we may perceive Him as being passive, inactive or even dead in our lives. God also sends us his angels, however we may be seeing the situation as humans from a limited perspective. Since only God can see the big picture we are to refer to Him for enlightenment and an assured deliverance. I am not literally saying that God send us angels for us in our lives, (however for God nothing is impossible) however, God is able to send us many important people in our lives such as family, friends, etc who have always been there for us whether good times or in bad times however, God can still use them as angels in our lives. 

13. I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and made a vow to me. Now leave this land at once and return to the land of your birth.'"

(Genesis chapter 31 verse 13)

After helping Jacob God command him to go back to his land birth. God not only help us in our bad times but also guides us during our good times. He is always active and plans something bigger for us all, therefore we are to completely place our trust him, and follow his commands, for he will always be there for us. However as sons and daughters, we are always to show our obedience to our heavenly father.

14 Then Rachel and Leah answered him, "Is there any portion or inheritance left to us in our father's house? 15 Are we not regarded by him as foreigners? For he has sold us, and he has been using up the money given for us.

(Genesis chapter 31 verses 14 to 15)

On having listened to Jacob, Leah and Rachel asked, him whether they had a share in their father's inheritance. That same father who had made profit of them by selling them to Jacob by means of a business transaction.

It is understandable that both Leah and Rachel had been used used and abused by their father and his associates namely Laban. Therefore, they were both hurt by the situation and the actions of the latter. They had been used as as a tool for Laban's own success. Laban was a person who liked using other people for his personal gain. He used, Jacob for his own prosperity and even used his own daughters so that Jacob could work more for him and increase Laban's riches in the process. During such moments as humans we may be tempted to put everything aside including God and turn inwards and focus on our woes and miseries, as if God was ever to abandon us during such critical moments of hurt and or even betrayal. 

16 All the property that God has taken away from our father belongs to us and to our children; now then, do whatever God has said to you."

(Genesis chapter 31 verse 16)

On reflecting Leah and Rachel must have realized that the success of the speckled flocks was attributable to God's intervention, therefore as compensation the sisters and their offspring had an entitlement to the spoils of their betrayal during which they had played and important role.

As in the case or Rachel and Leah it there was the need of a miracle to happen, in order to make them believe in God. However why should we, wait for a miracle to happen in order for us to believe that God is our only God and father and that  He really exists. It is a universal law that God or a god supreme being (as in the case of unbelievers exists) God exists even in us, as his grace is present in each one of us so our body, is itself a temple of God, and the more we sin the more we pollute the temple and reduce our spiritual intellect. Instead of waiting for a miracle we are to always embrace the affection and blessings that God gives us.

17 So Jacob arose, and set his children and his wives on camels; 18 and he drove away all his livestock, all the property that he had gained, the livestock in his possession that he had acquired in Paddan-aram, to go to his father Isaac in the land of Canaan. 19 Now Laban had gone to shear his sheep, and Rachel stole her father's household gods. 20 and Jacob deceived Laban the Aramean, in that he did not tell him that he intended to flee. 21 So he fled with all that he had; starting out he crossed the Euphrates, and set his face toward the hill country of Gilead.

(Genesis chapter 31 verses 17 to 21)

In this verse Jacob basically prepares to leave Laban's house in obedience to the will of God, who prompted Jacob regarding the ideal moment to make the final and decisive move. This crucial moment came when Laban, went to sheer his sheep. Jacob all the livestock and property that he had gained, during his stay at Laban's household and prepared to leave heading back to his father's house. As in the dream at Bethel and in God's intervention after the episode of the flocks Jacob felt  assured that he was being directed by God who unlike Laban, was totally honest. Jacob was just before both God and man. He had the right to take his earnings because he had worked for them. 

However Rachel was not as honest as Jacob. She went and stole the false gods of her father when she was about to leave the house with Jacob. One thing that I have learnt in my life is that  if I have ever deceived anyone some how or other the same thing can easily happen to me. However my greatest consolation is the faith, belief and knowledge that God, and that if I do wrong he will lovingly discipline me and lead me to repentance for He is a just but loving God.

22 On the third day Laban was told that Jacob had fled.

(Genesis chapter 31 verse 22)

Due to the fact that Laban was not nearby when Jacob fled from his residence it took Laban some time for him to receive the news. It may have been that the place where he had gone to sheer his sheep was a three day journey away from the homestead. On reflecting we may not always be totally honest with others, even with our loved ones. Some may refuse to disclose sensitive issues related to oneself. However in time the truth will always be revealed, so it is better to be open and honest, because as the popular saying says, honesty is the best policy, if that truth may be the consequence of our ending up in trouble. As Jesus tells us in the New Testament the 'Truth sets us free'. On the other hand, falsehood instils fear in us, along with the anxiety that one day the other persons will become aware of the truth, and then we would be really sorry that we had not admitted the truth. Moreover we may succeed in hiding sensitive issues from each other but, we can never hide anything from God, because He knows us more than we actually know ourselves.

23 So he took his kinsfolk with him and pursued him for seven days until he caught up with him in the hill country of Gilead.

(Genesis chapter 31 verse 23)

On becoming aware, that Jacob had deceived him by leaving his house without his consent taking all his possessions Laban in a fit of anger  pursued Jacob and his family, and caught up with them after a journey of seven days at the hill country of Gilead. During such moments of anger and emotional turmoil we tend to get angry and frustrated and lose control over ourselves. There are instances when we may harm others both intentionally and or unintentionally. During such moments we may forget how others, may feel when we deceive them and tend to focus on ourselves and on our feelings. 

24 But God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream by night, and said to him, "Take heed that you say not a word to Jacob, either good or bad."

(Genesis chapter 31 verse 24)

God who sees the big picture of the situation, intervened in a dream and warned Laban not to mention anything to Jacob about what had taken place. On reflecting, God plays an important role. He helps us in going through our situations without hurting both ourselves and or others. 

25 Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the hill country, and Laban with his kinsfolk camped in the hill country of Gilead. 26 Laban said to Jacob, "What have you done? You have deceived me, and carried away my daughters like captives of the sword. 27 Why did you flee secretly and deceive me and not tell me? I would have sent you away with mirth and songs, with tambourine and lyre. 28 And why did you not permit me to kiss my sons and my daughters farewell? What you have done is foolish. 29 It is in my power to do you harm; but the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, 'Take heed that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad.'

(Genesis chapter 31 verses 25 to 29)

Now that Laban had, found Jacob, he questioned him regarding his reasons for having had left his house without having had given him the opportunity to bid farewell to his daughters and grandchildren (which was one fat lie and excuse) According to Laban in the state of anger that he was in, had it not been for God's intervention Laban had both the capacity and the opportunity to harm Jacob. On following Laban's logic it follows that if a person is strong in riches and power, and is in a state of anger, one has the right to harm the other persons concerned. The logic of might is right does not hold in the eyes of God, who humbles the proud and raises the lot of the humble.

When faced with problems, we, the we are faced with two options, to fight the problem or to run away from them. We may even feel that God is against us or that He is not listening to my prayer or maybe that He is for some reason totally against me and does not love me for having made many mistakes in life and maybe even having hurt many people as a consequence,but this is not true. We tend to focus on, the negative part of the problem without considering that if, we face the problem as a challenge given to us by God as a means of testing our love and authenticity as humans and as Christians the same issue would, make us stronger and even, more happier and in turn brings us more closer to God. Just as Jacob fled from Laban with the hope that the Latter would, not be able to find him problems such as Laban and our sinful reality always finds a way of reaching up with us and in the end we will have to face the music, the consequences of our actions, either on earth or in heave, and or even maybe in both places. Remember that the consequences of our actions can either be positive or even negative. If we do good we are rewarded with the positive consequence, however if we do totally bad we start facing the consequences on earth and maybe even in hell.

31 Even though you had to go because you longed greatly for your father's house, why did you steal my gods?"

(Genesis chapter 30 verse 31)

In life, those who think ill of someone, will definitely find a way to humiliate you or criticise others. They will not miss a chance, of suspecting you and  or, accusing  us just as Laban did. He, not only blamed Jacob for having had ran away from his home, but also blamed Jacob for having had stolen his idols or gods (that Jacob did not need because he had never believed in such pagan idolatry). However when facing such a situation we are to love our enemies and this can only done, with the grace of God, since our nature is aggressive and prone to violence and loss of self-control. Only God is able to change our negative, intentions, and heal our wounded hearts in such situations.

[31:31] Jacob answered Laban, "Because I was afraid, for I thought that you would take your daughters from me by force.  

(Genesis chapter 31 verse 31)

                                             

Fear is something that makes a person to take drastic steps, as in the case of Jacob who feared that if he disclosed his intentions to Laban would have taken, his daughters away from him by using force even though he had been commanded by God. not to harm or talk to Jacob. As Christians if we are not doing anything wrong that is contrary to to the will of God we are never to experience fear for God, is always with us. Only those who have greatly or even trivially sinned in God's eyes need to experience fear, for they know that they cannot hide their sin from the world and God and that, in the end they will, have to face the consequences of their sinful actions, sooner or later. As the world is full of fear, insecurity and worries our source of love, hope and strength and even security is to be found only in God and not in humans for all energy love and security find their primary source in God alone, and it is from that one source, that we can tap the much needed resources, for both our spiritual and psychosocial well being.

32 But anyone with whom you find your gods shall not live. In the presence of our kinsfolk, point out what I have that is yours, and take it." Now Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the gods".

(Genesis chapter 31 verse 32)

Upon being publicly exposed to such an accusation and humiliation Jacob gives Laban the opportunity of proving his assumption in the sense, that if he was to  find anything that is his he could take back what was rightfully his and inflict justice or kill the wrong doer.  Jacob spoke with such boldness because he was aware that he was not guilty of such an accusation. Truth sets us free, therefore there was no opportunity for him to feel or be afraid. However we, can only imagine Rachel's feelings on having had witnessed such a declaration.

33 So Laban went into Jacob's tent, and into Leah's tent, and into the tent of the two maids, but he did not find them. And he went out of Leah's tent, and entered Rachel's. 34 Now Rachel had taken the household gods and put them in the camel's saddle, and sat on them. Laban felt all about in the tent, but did not find them.

(Genesis chapter 31 verses 33 to 34)

 Laban started to search all of Jacob's tents starting with that of Jacob followed by that of Leah then and her two maids and finishing by going into Rachel’s tent who had hidden the household gods in the camel's saddle and sat on them. Laban was unsuccessful in his search. In life the same thing may even happen to us. We may all have gods, such as careers, ambitions, aims and maybe even desires both for ourselves and even for significant others, such as our family. On pursuing our aims or agendas if they are not based on God if we find them our lives may still be empty, because nothing can replace the love and presence of God in our lives, not even our loved ones, such as friends and or family or even workmates. God is all in all before all.


Moreover as referred to in this chapter, suspicion is something that can destroy a long life relationship, wherever it may be targeted. For instance when the members in a relationship, married or not, happen to lose trust in each other, the devil starts raising doubts and suspicion in each other leading to the fostering of distrust in each other.This can easily destroy the relationship and cause great bitterness that can bring the relationship to its end, even the couple or partners had previously had a good relationship with God. Once we shift our focus away from God and become focussed on the world. The relationship starts to crumble until it technically falls apart, because the foundations have been changed from one based on God to one based on the world.

35 And she said to her father, "Let not my lord be angry that I cannot rise before you, for the way of women is upon me." So he searched, but did not find the household gods.

(Genesis chapter 31 verse 35)

In order to protect herself from the possibility of being caught red handed with the household gods, Rachel told Laban not to ask her to stand up or move from her place, because she was bleeding as a consequence of her periodic cycle menstruation. In reality she was also bleeding from the stain of the sin that she had committed when stealing the gods of her father.

 Technically whenever we do something wrong, we always try to hide it and eventually end up saying 100 more lies to cover up our sins thus leading in the increase of sin, fear and even guilt. As previously mentioned even though we may get away with sin on earth, we are still personally accountable for our actions when we die and come face, to face with our heavenly father. 

36 Then Jacob became angry, and upbraided Laban. Jacob said to Laban, "What is my offense? What is my sin, that you have hotly pursued me? 37 Although you have felt about through all my goods, what have you found of all your household goods? Set it here before my kinsfolk and your kinsfolk, so that they may decide between us two. 38 These twenty years I have been with you; your ewes and your female goats have not miscarried, and I have not eaten the rams of your flocks. 39 That which was torn by wild beasts I did not bring to you; I bore the loss of it myself; of my hand you required it, whether stolen by day or stolen by night. 40 It was like this with me: by day the heat consumed me, and the cold by night, and my sleep fled from my eyes. 41 These twenty years I have been in your house; I served you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your flock, and you have changed my wages ten times.

(Genesis chapter 31 verses 36 to 41)

After having had witnessed Laban conducting his search without success, Jacob lost his patience and angrily asked his accuser why he was treating him with such distrust, when previously Jacob had shown him such loyalty and brought on Laban's household such a great material increase or income and profit. Jacob questioned the reasons behind, this radical change in attitude and behaviour.  

On reflecting we may  realize that there were moments when we fell into the same trap. Significant others such as family and or friends, may have been of a great help, moreover they may been instrumental in our well being, both spiritual or material, however when something happens and we start doubting the other person, our focus may unjustly shift on the sins or mistakes of the other person and we may tend to put aside all the goodness that we had previously received or experienced from the other person or persons. As we foster this attitude amongst our fellow persons, both male and female, we do the same thing in our relationship with God. Once things do not go our way, we may accuse God of not being fair, in His dealing with us and maybe even decide to not believe in Him any more.

42 If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the fear of Isaac, had not been on my side, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. God saw my affliction and the labor of my hands, and rebuked you last night."

(Genesis chapter 31 verse 42)

In his defence Jacob declared that had it not been for the will of God who was always with him in his ways and intervened to increase his property, Laban would have sent Jacob away a pauper. Jacob declared that Laban had been so selfish that in such circumstances Jacob would have been sent away empty handed and denied of his earned wages. Unfortunately this is the reality of some immigrants who offer their labour as hired workers. On having finished their work, with great sacrifice, they are denied their wages. I have witnessed such a situation where this labourer was talking with his employer, who denied him of both his job and his wages.

On reflecting God is our real employer. What we do we do for God and not to satisfy the wishes of mankind. God is always with us, thus giving us all the love and support that we really need. God is aware of our needs and He will give us the needed wages, both materially and or even spiritually. So when you go to work tomorrow, think that you are employed by God who will never deceive you, and your days at work, or university will be much better. After a days work, we can turn on our father in heaven give him a big hug and give him praise and worship, and thank him for his providence and help throughout all the days of our life including the present day.

43 Then Laban answered and said to Jacob, "The daughters are my daughters, the children are my children, the flocks are my flocks, and all that you see is mine. But what can I do today about these daughters of mine, or about their children whom they have borne? 44 Come now, let us make a covenant, you and I; and let it be a witness between you and me."

(Genesis chapter 31 verses 43 to 44)

Greed is something that makes a person do many wrong things. Once the person becomes determined to do wrong he becomes one track minded and his sole intention would only that of acquiring this or that objective no, matter how bad it is or how hard he or she has to commit one sin after another in order to get what one wants. Moreover as in the case of Laban we may keep on claiming ownership over that which is not rightfully ours. These are generally the traits that, we often find in the, greedy person. 

However on the other hand even though we are sinners, we remain sensitive people with feelings and emotions. Although as in the case of Laban he is portrayed as being selfish, decisive and cunning but on the other hand, he is a caring father who cared about his families well being, so much that he was ready to bind himself by a covenant. It can therefore be said that as humans each person, has both positive and negative traits in one's personality and at different times, in different situations we tend to shift either to our good side or to our bad side. When we chose to refer to our positive traits we also acquire the blessings of God, however when we. decide to shift on to our bad side, we give control of our selves to the evil one who will do his best to get us into trouble and commit one great sin after another. 

45 So Jacob took a stone, and set it up as a pillar. 46 And Jacob said to his kinsfolk, "Gather stones," and they took stones, and made a heap; and they ate there by the heap. 47 Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha: but Jacob called it Galeed. 48 Laban said, "This heap is a witness between you and me today." Therefore he called it Galeed,

(Genesis chapter 31 verses 45 to 48)

On sensing the change of heart in Laban and the change in attitude Jacob agreed to enter into a covenant with Laban. When God sees the change of heart in us along with the will to change our ways, God also imparts His love and graces on us. God is our loving father who is, always ready to welcome us back into his arms in a spirit of repentance.

  

God is always ready to intervene in our lives. His timing is perfect, even though as humans we may consider it a bit or alot to slow, especially when compared to human interventions. God in contrast to us views the big picture of our lives, and takes the consequences of our decisions along with His intervention into consideration before proceeding. Therefore in a spirit of gratitude towards our heavenly father we are to be very patient, loving and caring towards him and towards significant others and society in general.  

49 and the pillar Mizpah, for he said, "The LORD watch between you and me, when we are absent one from the other. 50 If you ill-treat my daughters, or if you take wives in addition to my daughters, though no one else is with us, remember that God is witness between you and me." 51 Then Laban said to Jacob, "See this heap and see the pillar, which I have set between you and me.
52 This heap is a witness, and the pillar is a witness, that I will not pass beyond this heap to you, and you will not pass beyond this heap and this pillar to me, for harm. 53 May the God of Abraham and the God of Nahor"- the God of their father -"judge between us." So Jacob swore by the fear of his father Isaac.

(Genesis chapter 31 verses 49 to 53)

Laban continues speaking to Jacob and declares that God will be a witness between them. They both agreed on the issue that they would never inflict harm on each other. Moreover Laban raises a very important issue that is important even for us to consider in our spiritual and psychosocial life. This is the reality that God is always watching us, and is always aware of what is going on in our daily lives. No matter how much wrong we do God is an objective witness both in our favour and against us, for he sees everything and knows everything. God not only sees a persons actions He, also sees what is going through our minds. Moreover this makes God an objective Judge who what knows what is good and bad for us. 

54 and Jacob offered a sacrifice on the height and called his kinsfolk to eat bread; and they ate bread and tarried all night in the hill country. 55 Early in the morning Laban rose up, and kissed his grandchildren and his daughters and blessed them; then he departed and returned home.

(Genesis chapter 31 verses 54 to 55)

After Jacob and Laban had  reunited by means of the covenant that was sealed by means of the sacrifice offered to God by Jacob, Laban rose up and kissed his grand children and daughters goodbye, blessed them and departed back to his home. On reflecting the same thing happens with God, when we reunite with Him, He prepares a celebration for us so that we may never forget this important event. During Holy Communion, we celebrate this covenant of love that Jesus son of God and God sealed with His own flesh and blood as a sacrifice of His love for us. During the act of Holy Communion God offers us his body to eat, and His blood to drink. With God we are never thirsty or hungry because he replenishes both the body and most important our souls.


On reflecting throughout this chapter God played a very important role in both Jacob and Laban's lives. God  not only helped Jacob who was a kind and good person by giving him flocks, servant, He even and assured his safety when he left his father's house in obedience to the will of God. On the other hand God also helped Laban who did many bad things to Jacob. However in spite of all this God,  gave him a chance to meet his children and grandchildren for one the last time. God not only gave this family wealth but he also gave something precious to this family that no one else could ever give. This was the  re-unification of the family and peace among them. This was something that they really needed. On reflecting it can be said that God surely took his time, in bringing about this unification, however during the process God tested them both Laban and Jacob as He tests us during our everyday life. However in the end God gave Laban and Jacob an everlasting parting gift that is the peace that the world cannot give, because this peace was based on God. 

Dear readers I would  like to invite you to renew your mind and spirit  in God  for although these are the best weapons along with prayer that we can possess, the devil can use these same means to trick us by creating doubts in us and corrupt our souls, especially during critical moments of stress and agony.  We are also to remain aware and in touch with both our feelings and desires, so that they will always remain under our control, (with the help of God) because if not they can easily get the better of us leading us to end up in serious trouble bring harm both on our body and souls

If you think that God has never given you anything such as money or a successful carrier I would really suggest that you think again of the many other good things that He has given us, such as our faith and His never ending love along with the promise of our salvation. Unlike the deceptive world that we live in God never send us away empty handed. He is always giving us, even when we are not aware of his gifts. God has given us family and friends, amongst other gifts whose value is much more than that of money. All we have to do is to trust in God, be patient with Him, and let him do his work for his timing is perfect and in good time (and God's time) He will definitely be there to help us.

I would like to end the following chapter with this prayer:

God you have the power to change the world in one second, you have the power to make the impossible possible, you have played an important part in my life as you have done with others. Sorry if I have ever doubted, or suspected you in my life, for now I realise that in the past for what ever happened you had a good reason for permitting it to happen. Moreover I know that you will always be there for me. Thank you God for not changing and being with me just as you were with my forefathers and thank you for protecting me from my desires, for the devil is always close by hiding behind my shoulder ready to trick me, but you are always my witness and my judge. Thank you for looking after my family my best friends and ensuring their well being and most of all for playing an important role in my live as well as in theirs.

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Genesis Chapter 30

GENESIS 

CHAPTER 

30

1. When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, she envied her sister; and she said to Jacob, "Give me children or I shall die!"

(Genesis chapter 30 verse 1)

On a spiritual level we can also envy other people from a positive and even  negative perspective. From a positive perspective we may have an inner drive to do more than others in the Church in the sense of helping other people in need and doing more work in the local parish or abroad. However, this could this positive drive could easily change into a negative one, in the sense that we start comparing ourselves with others working in the Church or local community and have a strong will to compete with them in order to achieve personal pride, satisfaction, social approval over that of others under the guise of holiness.

Moreover I pray to God that all people in the world including even those people from different churches and religions to be inflamed with spiritual fervour in order to do more good for the benefit of others on both a spiritual, social and even psychological level in order to continually help improve the good of others.


2. Jacob became very angry with Rachel and said, "Am I in the place of God, who has from you the fruit of the womb?

(Genesis chapter 30 verse 2)


Jacob refers to a very important issue that is becoming an issue in our everyday life. Science is making giant steps as is the case of technology. Implants of human embryos, surrogate mothers etc are being practised. Humans at times are playing the role of God the creator, a role that is not rightfully theirs and never will it be. This is a very important fact that humans are always to keep in mind meaning that of respecting God as creator and not attempt to take his place as creators.


3. Then she said, "Here is my maid Bilhah; go in to her, that she may bear upon my knees and that I too may have children through her. 4 So she gave him her maid Bilhah as a wife; and Jacob went in to her.

(Genesis chapter 30 verses 3 to 4)


On reflecting we witness the use and abuse of others in order to satisfy our own aims, wishes and or desires. Instead of referring to God who has the faculty of opening her womb, Rachel referred to her own devices and used her made in order to obtain offspring. Rachel did not consider that as in the case of Sarah and Abraham Rachel sold her husband to Bilhah and that the flame of love would kindle in her servant for Jacob. Selling her husband to Bilhah was as bad as Esau's selling his birthright for a bowl of soup. On reflecting we are to learn to respect our marriages and even our wives and husbands for who and what they are, and not value them for what talents they have.


5. And Bilhah conceived and bore Jacob a son, 6 Then Rachel said, "God has judged me, and has also heard my voice and given me a son"; therefore she named him Dan.

(Genesis chapter 30 verse 5)


Rachel was grateful that God had answered her prayer, however it is not right to say that God had judged her. It would have been better to say that God had done justice with her by giving her a son. God only judges us when we do bad things not when we do, wish or pray for good things out of love.


7. Rachel's maid Bilhah conceived again and bore Jacob a second son. 8 Then Rachel said, with mighty wrestling's I have wrestled with my sister, and have prevailed"; so she named him Naphtali.

(Genesis chapter 30 verses 7 to 8 )


Verses seven to eight give us the impression that the reason that Rachel wanted to conceive more children was that of being better than her sister with whom she was competing. I imagine that she might have thought that if she bore Jacob more children than her sister Jacob would love her more. However in truth even when she was still barren Jacob already loved her more than her sister Leah.


In our spiritual life we can fall into the same temptation, that of attempting incredible feats such as fasting for many days more than a particular person in order to obtain an increase of the love of God or more of his graces in grants and benefits more than the latter person. In such circumstances it would have been better to  attempt, to compete with ourselves in loving that person more than before instead of showing envy or spite.


9. When Leah saw that she had ceased bearing children, she took her maid Zilpah and gave her to Jacob as a wife. 10 Then Leah's maid Zilpah bore Jacob a son.

(Genesis chapter 30 verses 9 to 10)


It seems that the competition between the two sisters was in full swing, however without their knowing God's plan for our salvation was in a process of unfolding. It was according to the will of God that was originally given to Abraham that through him and his descendants namely Jacob many offspring would be born. Therefore this 'competition' between the sisters was a way to increase the amount of offspring. However the means being the fruit of envy and spite could never justify God's end, that is the unfolding of His plan. The birth of children is to be the fruit of love between the couple not the fruit of envy.


11. And Leah said "Good fortune!" so she named him Gad. 12 Leah's maid Zilpah bore Jacob a second son. 13 And Leah said, "Happy am I! For the women will call me happy"; so she named him Asher."

(Genesis chapter 30 verses 11 to 13)


Instead of blessing God for giving her offspring Leah attributed her capacity to bear Jacob more fortune as being a lucky streak of good fortune. There are moments in life, when we attribute our successes, either as the fruit of our good skills and reputation instead of being the fruit of God's love for us and His Divine providence.


14. In the days of wheat harvest Reuben went and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them to his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, "Please give me some of your son's mandrakes." 15 But she said to her, "Is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband? Would you take away my son's mandrake's also?" Rachel said, "Then he may lie with you tonight for your son's mandrakes."

(Genesis chapter 30 verses 14 to 15)

On reflecting we can observe that when the Devil takes control over us, he can change our attitude and even harden our hearts to make us bitter and spiteful. We end up unable to be open to listen to the will and voice of God. In order to make matters worse the Devil tends to confuse situations such as in, that referred to in verses fourteen to fifteen.

The main issue referred to in this situation was that of sharing of God's providence. However the situation between the sisters had degraded to such an extent, that the plea for 'some' of the mandrakes was taken as being a plea for 'all' the mandrakes, for which Rachel gave Leah, the opportunity of having intercourse with Jacob as a means of payment for the mandrakes.


16. When Jacob came from the field in the evening, Leah went out to meet him, and said, "You must must come in to me; for I have hired you with my son's mandrakes," So he lay with her that night.

(Genesis chapter 30 verse 16)


Genesis chapter 30 verse 16 is another typical example of how people can be used and abused. The sacred act of intercourse which according to the will of God is of great value, is in this context subjected to being part of a business transaction. Moreover on analysing Jacob's behaviour we can observe that it did not matter to him with which women he lay and share his love with because in a way they were both his wives. The value of fidelity to a single wife is compromised, when the person has a second or third relationship, this in time becomes a problem that puts alot of stress on the family system and functionality is greatly reduced.


17. And God heeded Leah, and she conceived and bore Jacob a fifth son. 18 Leah said, "God has given me my hire because I gave my maid to my husband"; so she named him Issachar. 19 And Leah conceived again, and she bore Jacob a sixth son. 20 Then Leah said, "God has endowed me with a good dowry; now my husband will honor me, because I have borne him six sons"; so she named him Zebulun. 21 Afterwards she bore a  daughter, and named her Dinah.

(Genesis chapter 30 verses 17 to 21)



On reflecting the current trend during these times is that the more children one bears the more love, the husband will have for the wife. Moreover having many children reflects God's blessing as previously referred to in previously chapters.


 22.  Then God remembered Rachel, and God heeded her and opened her womb. 23 She conceived and bore a son, and said, "God has taken away my reproach"; 24 and she named him Joseph, saying, "May the LORD add to me another son!"

(Genesis chapter 30 verses 22 to 24)


On reflecting on verses 22 to 24 we are given the impression that God can ever forget us. The author of the book of Genesis, gives God human attributes when saying that He remembered Rachel. We are always in God's sight, He has our names inscribed on the palm of His hand, therefore he can never forget us. A person who loves the other is always thinking of her as in the case of two people who are courting with the intention to be married. With God it is the same thing. God is always thinking of us. Our spiritual, social, economical and psychological well being is always on His mind because He sincerely loves us.


25. When Rachel had borne Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, "Send me away, that I may go to my own home and country. 26 Give me my wives and my children for whom I have served you, and let me go; for you know very well the service I have given you."

(Genesis chapter 30 verses 25 and 26)


Jacob had spent fourteen whole years away from his family, knot knowing if they were still alive, especially when considering that Isaac was already of an age. Moreover as Jacob stated it was his right to go home, now that he had paid the price in full.


On reflecting we can remember how many times we stood up for our rights, or those of others. We may also remember our feelings at the time. Therefore God as our father also has a right for our love, praise and worship. Therefore it is our duty to contribute our share to Him and to our fellow persons. God also feels hurt when we do not reciprocate our love, care, praise and worship to Him.


27. But Laban said to him, "If you will allow me to say so, I have learned by divination that the LORD has blessed me because of you; 28 name your wages, and I will give it."

(Genesis chapter 30 verses 27 to 28)


In contrast to Jacob who found his fullfilment  in acting according to the will of God, Laban found his answers by a false and corrupt means. This is divination which entails giving worship to false gods in order to obtain the necessary information, that at times was not true at all. However in this case it was true that Laban was blessed by means of Jacob's presence. God had said to Abraham and his descendants, that He would bless those who bless him and curse those who curse you.


29. Jacob said to him, "You yourself know how I have served you, and how your cattle have fared with me. 30 For you had little before I came, and it has increased abundantly; and the LORD has blessed you wherever I turned. But now When shall I provide for my own household also?

(Genesis chapter 30 verses 29 and 30)


When God makes his presence felt this results in great abundance. Moreover if we pray to God to bless our family, our work etc He will surely send his blessing. We may not all become millionaires, however our greatest investment is in God and not in material goods. Moreover Jacob expresses the need to provide for his own family which in time had greatly increased. Apart from our own families, nuclear, extended etc, we have obligations to our macro family that is the body of Jesus Christ meaning the world in general. This implies that we are to do our best, everybody according to his resources and abilities with the help of God to help others who may be in need.


31. He said, "What shall I give you?" Jacob said, "You shall not give me anything; if you will do this for me, I will again feed your flock and keep it; 32 Let me pass through all your flock today, removing from it every speckled and spotted sheep and every black lamb, and the spotted and speckled among the goats; and such shall be my wages. 33 So my honesty will answer for me later, when you come to look into my wages with you. Every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats and black among the lambs, if found with me shall be counted stolen."

(Genesis chapter 30 verses 31 to 33)


On reflecting it can be said that evil is never satisfied. It always wants more until it exhausts its resources, however when it does not need them any more evil discards them forever. Laban had found in Jacob an investment. On realising that his investment was going to face a crisis, he gathered his associate around the round table for a management meeting. However God is smarter than the Devil and his servant Laban. God enables Jacob to formulate a perfect plan, that would ultimately justify Jacob's plea and even provide him with a safe escape from the clutches of evil. Moreover according to this plan God even provides Jacob with the adequate resources for his livelihood.


34. Laban said, "Good! Let it be as you have said." 35 But that day Laban removed the male goats that were striped and spotted, and all the female goats that were speckled and spotted, every one that had white on it, and every lamb that was black and put them in charge of his sons; 36 and he set a distance of three day's journey between himself and Jacob, while Jacob was pasturing the rest of Laban's flock.

(Genesis chapter 30 verses 34 to 36)


It seems that evil has no boundaries. In order to thwart or spoil Jacob's plan Laban intervened by removing all the males and females that were speckled from his flocks so that Jacob's plan would fail and he would stay with him for an extended period that may have been based on Laban's conditions. The Devil hates us with a sick passion. Even in the Church he tries to cause divisions which mess up its unity as we have witnessed throughout the years even up to the present.


37. Then Jacob took fresh rods of poplar and almond and plane, and peeled white streaks in them, exposing the white of the rods. 38 He set the rods that he had peeled in front of the flocks in the troughs, that is the watering places, where the flocks came to drink. And since they bred when they came to drink, 39 the flocks bred in front of the rods, and so the flocks produced young that were striped, speckled, and spotted.

(Genesis chapter 30 verses 37 to 39)


With reference to the breeding of flocks I am not a reliable authority. Breeding without males in front of rods makes it more difficult to explain, however God's plans and his ways are not always in level with human understanding or rationality (we are underdeveloped compared to the intelligence of God). However for God there is nothing that is considered to be impossible, therefore God's plan actually unfolded by means of the plan that He had passed on to Jacob.


40. Jacob separated the lambs, and set the faces of the flocks toward the striped and the completely black animals in the flock of Laban; and he put his own droves apart and did not put them with Laban's flock.

(Genesis chapter 30 verse 40)


Some of us may think that god may intervene by means of magical moments, however at times such as that given in verse 40, God makes good use of our own skills in order to help us out in the given situation.


41. Whenever the stronger of the flock were breeding. Jacob laid the rods in the troughs before the eyes of the flock, that they might breed among the rods, 42 but for the feebler of the flock he did not lay them there; so the feebler were Laban's, and the stronger Jacob's.

(Genesis chapter 30 verses 41 to 42)


Apparently as a shepherd Jacob was able to use his skills and manipulate the situation in his favour. Many times this happens alot throughout our daily lives. Those who are unskilled or maybe unschooled are at the mercy of the professionals, who may bleed them of their already reduced resources by using their skills to benefit from an already morbid situation.


 43. Thus the man grew exceedingly rich, and had large flocks, and male and female slaves, and camels and donkeys.

(Genesis chapter 30 verse 43)

It seems that Jacob's plan backed by the providence of God had its reward for it is written that Jacob grew very rich. However what may seem to be 'good fortune' was according to God's plan for our salvation, in the sense that God had willed that Jacob would father a great nation. This meant that Jacob would be in need of both material but also spiritual resources for the well being of himself and his family. God on sensing the need as according to His plan,  helped Jacob on both levels.


I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer.


Thank you God for your, Love, Majesty and power. You have the power to open up a womb to generate offspring and you have that same power to close it where and when you consider it as necessary. I thank you for all the babies that are born in the world, and pray for the souls of the innocent ones that are innocently slaughtered while still in the womb. 

I pray to you oh God, that you show us today that you are still in control, so that we will not continue to play being God in both our lives and even in that of others. Help me and others to be motivated to lend a hand, but not to manipulate the situations of others to my advantage under the guise of helping.

Thank You God for all the skills you have given me throughout my life. Although I am currently not bearing the full load of fruit of skills that you have given me, I still thank you for the skills that I am currently using in my home and work situations and in any other setting where you call me to be in.

Thank You God