Transcript

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 28 CEB; Ch. 29-30 NKJV; Ch. 31 NLV

Associate Producer

Timothy LaFontaine

Podcast Introduction

This the Law Monday. We’ll read Genesis 28-31. I’m calling today’s episode “Remember.”

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Bruce Dixon on Unsplash

Comments on Genesis 29 and 31

Thoughts on Genesis 29

So how do you like this Laban character? Remember, last week I asked, “So how do you like this Jacob character?” Do you remember what Jacob’s name means? It  means “deceiver” or “supplanter”. Kind of ironic that Laban deceived Jacob and supplanted Leah in place of Rachel, isn’t it? I’m not saying that necessarily what goes around comes around, but it sure happened here, didn’t it?

Working for his father-in-law for a total of 20 years was a hard lesson, but he took it much better than I would have. What would you have done? I’m so glad that my father-in-law was a godly man. If you have good in-laws, thank God. If your in-laws are…shall we say, challenging, remember Laban, and how well Jacob took it when Laban was unjust with him.

If you are not yet married, remember that your potential in-laws can have enormous influence on your married years.

Thoughts on Genesis 31

Most of you are Christians. You’re believers. You’ve accepted Jesus into your life. Do you remember when you did that? When you committed your life to Him? I’ll bet you do. It’s probably a cherished memory. 

In chapter 31 in our reading today, God appeared to Jacob in a dream and, among other things, He said, "I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the pillar and where you made a vow to Me.” God was reminding Jacob of the time, many years before…when he was on his way to live with Laban…when God showed him the ladder that went up to heaven.

How good it is to be reminded of times that God spoke to us. 

I do not remember the exact date or year when I gave my heart to God. But I remember the place. It was a little Southern Baptist church in Rowland Heights, CA. Our pastor, W.L. Watson was preaching a message, and I realized that even though I believed that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that He died for my sins, I had never invited Him to BE my Lord and Savior. I couldn't wait for the sermon to end and for him to give the invitation. And when he did, still I hesitated. My friends were there, after all! They thought that I was a Christian. How could I go forward? What would they think? But the Holy Spirit kept urging me to go forward. I hesitated. He said, "Do it now." Still I hesitated. And the next thing I knew, I was walking to the front of that little church. And that morning my eternity was forever changed. Hallelujah!

I pray I never lose that memory. 

“You remember, some of you, perhaps, the first time when pardoning love was revealed to you — when you were brought to see the love of God in the great atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Well, to-night, the Lord says to you, ‘I am the same God as you have ever found me. I have not changed. I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed, even as your father Jacob was not consumed; for I was even to him the selfsame God.’” (Spurgeon)

When Jacob told Leah and Rachel about his dream, and that God had told him to return to his home. Their response was, "Whatever God has said to you, do it." This was no small thing. They had always lived close to their father. Making such a move was filled with uncertainty, and possibly even danger. But they trusted God and their husband.

Beloved, if you are a believer, and you’ve not yet had an experience that you can look back on and know that it was a “God moment”, a time where you felt the powerful presence of God, don’t despair. 

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7