“…for I have seen all that Laban doeth unto thee.” (Genesis 31:12c)

In Genesis 31, the Bible tells the story of Jacob, brother of Esau, son of Isaac and Rebekah, being commanded by God to return home, to the “land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred.” Jacob had been in the land of Padanaram, the land of Jacob’s Uncle Laban, Rebekah’s brother, for 20 years. Jacob went there to flee the wrath of Esau (Genesis 27 and 28); and also to find a wife from the land of Rebekah, and not take one from the daughters of the Land of Canaan (the daughters of Heth); so he went to Padanaram, to his Uncle Laban’s.

Jacob served Laban fourteen years for his wives, Leah and Rachel. Jacob served another six years for his cattle. Laban had not been honest with Jacob. In fact, Laban had changed Jacob’s wages ten times (Genesis 31:38-41). However, God had promised to be with Jacob on his stay in Padanaram (Genesis 28:7, 15a); God had given Jacob a vision of the House of God, and He had confirmed the Abrahamic Covenant to him.

God honored His Promise to watch over Jacob while he was in Padanaram with Laban (See Genesis 31:7b, 12c; 31:29b; 42.)

“Thus God hath taken away the cattle of your father, and given them to me.” (Genesis 31:9)

“And it came to pass at the time that the cattle conceived, that I lifted up mine eyes, and saw in a dream, and, behold, the rams which leaped upon the cattle were ringstraked, speckled, and grisled.” (Genesis 31:10)

“And the angel of God spake unto me in a dream, saying, Jacob: And I said, Here am I.” (Genesis 31:11)

“And he said, Lift up now thine eyes, and see, all the rams which leap upon the cattle are ringstraked, speckled, and grisled: for I have seen all that Laban doeth unto thee.” (Genesis 31:12)

God saw Laban’s dishonesty toward Jacob; therefore, God blessed Jacob with the wealth that Laban had stolen from Jacob.

In a spiritual application of God’s overseeing and protection of Jacob in Laban’s house, notice the same for God’s Sheep (His People) even today.

Hebrews 13 says:

“…I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” (Hebrews 13:5c-6)

And see Joshua 1:5:

“There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life… I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”

And see Psalms 121:1-8, especially verses 7 and 8:

“The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.” (Psalms 121:7)

“The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.” (Psalms 121:8)

The Bible has a multitude of Scriptures that state the same promise as noted in the above verses. However these few Scriptures, as presented, are all that are needed to form the foundation for this devotion.

The Foundation is God’s Promise to His People; as He promised to Jacob:

“And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.” (Genesis 28:15)

Does this statement not match Hebrews 13:5c, “…I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee”? Yes, it matches perfectly. God did not leave Jacob in his servitude to Laban. Nor has He, nor will He, leave any of His People in this world’s journey; for He is the Good Shepherd, the Great Shepherd, and the Chief Shepard of His Sheep. He is their Guide, Provider, Protector, and Sustainer.

Where many of God’s People who are suffering tribulation, troubles, etc. get confused is as to the long-range goal. Many only look at the present and cannot see God, even in the present, working behind the scenes to bring the person into His Perfection.

Jacob suffered Laban’s dishonesty for twenty years before God revealed what the result would be. However, God promised Jacob, “…I am with thee, and will keep thee… I will not leave thee...” (Genesis 28:15).

But as God’s Sheep go through the process of Romans 5:3-5 and James 1:2-4, they sometimes get weak, and start walking by sight and not by faith; refusing to stand on the Promises of God. When this happens to the suffering sheep, they began to complain, and then doubt and fear come upon them. They begin to seek man for help instead of God.

As you read this devotion, if you, as a Sheep of God, have begun to doubt God’s Love and Protection and Provision for you; then the problem is this – you must remember and believe (or trust) God’s Promises. (Read Hebrews 13:5; Psalms 121:1-8; etc.)

Take time this very moment and reflect back to the hour of your conversion. The hour you unashamedly confessed that Jesus Christ was indeed your Substitute, your Sacrifice, and your Savior (Romans 10:9-10). The hour that you first knew, without a doubt, that you had been raised from the deadness of sins and trespasses, revealing that you were alive in Christ (Romans 6:4-22). The hour that you knew you had been made “free” from the law of sin and of death (spiritual death) (Romans 8:2). The hour that God the Spirit revealed to you that you were a son of God (Romans 8:14-16; Galatians 4:5-6); and you cried “Abba, Father” or “Father, Father.”

Take time to read Romans 8:29-39, and see that nothing can separate you from the Love of God (not even your own self).

Be still in your testings and trials – knowing that God has not, nor will not, ever forsake you; knowing that His tests are conforming you to His Image. (See Deuteronomy 8:1-8; Isaiah 40:31.) Know this, suffering Child of God – God loves you, and God has a plan and a purpose for you (Proverbs 19:21; Job 23:13-14).

God uses tests, trials, and even chastisements to conform us and cause us to be fit for His Kingdom’s Work; also, in the process, that we might yield “the peaceable fruit of righteousness” (Hebrews 12:11). God’s goal for us is our perfection; to be completely “one” in Christ (John 17:21-24).

Child of God, read Genesis 31, and return to God’s communion, which lies in truth. Trust God and not man. Walk in Christ’s Love and not in the power of the flesh. And then you shall overcome (1 John 5:4).

Depend upon this – God never forgets His Promises; and He never fails to honor His Promises.

Child of God, lean on the Shepherd of the Sheep:

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” (Psalms 23:1)

“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.” (Psalms 23:2)

“He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” (Psalms 23:3)

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” (Psalms 23:4)

“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.” (Psalms 23:5)

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” (Psalms 23:6)

And not on your own understanding:

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5)

“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:6)

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