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DIGGING DEEPER
            In Genesis 31:1-16 Jacob receives instruction from God to head back to his homeland. Jacob then explains to Rachel and Leah why they must leave for the land of his father. Jacob explains how Laban, Rachel and Leah’s father, has mistreated him and gone back on his word several times. He contrasts this with the way the God of his father has treated him.
            God has led Jacob to prosper even in the midst of great hardship. Rachel and Leah both acknowledge this as they too contrast the way God has treated them and the way Laban has. In light of God’s faithfulness and goodness to them, they encourage Jacob to follow and obey the commands God has given him.
            One particularly interesting point is where Jacob notes that God said to him, “I am the God of Bethel…” (v. 13). Why is this significant? The text itself tells us part of the reason, Bethel is the place where Jacob made a vow to God. God also made a promise to Jacob, he said, “Behold I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” (Gen. 28:15).
            It’s worth noting that although God promised to “keep Jacob” Jacob still faced great hardship. This is something that as Christians we often fail to understand. Throughout Scripture we see a pattern in which God does not deliver his people from hardships, but rather delivers them through it. Noah was not delivered from the flood, he was delivered through it. He was given the means to outlast it. The Israelites were not delivered from the wilderness, they were delivered through it. As Christians we are tempted to forget this in times of our own hardships.
            When faced with trials or hard providences, we are often tempted to think that God is not with us, or that he has left us to fend for ourselves during this difficult time. The message of Scripture points to a whole different situation. God allows us to go through trials but promises to help us get through them. God doesn’t promise you won’t lose your job, lose a loved one, or anything of the sort. He promises to strengthen you and provide you with what you need so that you can endure.
            What events in your life are tempting you to question if God is with you? Can you spot some ways in which God is sustaining you in the midst of your hardships? Like Jacob’s wives told him, be sure to follow and obey God’s commands because he is faithful.
Text By: Miguel Benitez, Jr.
Photo from: 
biblestudyoutlines.org/bible-study-lessons/old-testament-bible-study/genesis-35-bible-study/
Copyright © 2015 DoubtLess Faith Ministries, Inc., All rights reserved.


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