The roles have reversed for Jacob. The deceiver is now the recipient of his uncle’s deception. Jacob made an agreement with Laban to work for seven years to marry his younger daughter Rachel. Instead his uncle tricked him by sending Leah his older daughter in place of Rachel. He then had to work for seven more years to finally marry Rachel. The deceiver became deceived!
Sometimes people think that they can get away with their deceit, but no one can escape from the hands of the Lord because he cannot be mocked. He sees all things, and He allows unexpected circumstances and people to come into our lives to help us see ourselves in the mirror. Praise God for those opportunities! While it maybe difficult to face the facts, they are great teaching tools in helping us change what is not pleasing to Him.
Then the angel of God spoke to Jacob in a dream and told him, “I have seen all that Laban is doing to you (Genesis 31:12b). This time, God saw Jacob as the victim and Laban as the deceiver, so He allowed Jacob to be blessed by the better and stronger livestock. Jacob is maturing; he is cooperating with God’s plan, and God blessed him by allowing him to become rich.
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.’ Genesis 31:13
Jacob finally learned his lessons, so God told him it’s time to go back to his family and restore relationships. Jacob agreed to go; he was willing to mend relationships with his brother and even give him good gifts as a small restitution for what he had taken from Esau.
Deception never pays; it is not a short cut to a destination! Ultimately what one has to pay for the deception is much more costly than if the person had done it right from the onset.
Is there tangible evidence of change and growth in your life that those closest to you can notice? Do you handle situations differently than before?
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