Genesis 31:1-21
BACKGROUND NOTES
DOCTRINAL POINT(S)
God is concerned about the unfair treatment of His children.
God can use the unfair treatment of His children to guide them.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
Your genes were packaged by God.
QUESTIONS
Why did Laban’s and his sons attitudes change toward Jacob?
Who stole the household idols, and why?
Why was God concerned about the unfair treatment of Jacob?
How did God use the unfair treatment of Jacob to guide him?
What was the lesson concerning the animals in this story?
ANSWERS
Because Jacob became more and more prosperous.
Rachel stole the household idols that belonged to her father. Household idols were often hand-held fertility idols and they were also used as title deeds for the property. Thus, her portion would be there when she needed it.
God saw what Laban was doing to Jacob. He had changed his wages ten times and substituted Leah for Rachel after Jacob had served seven years for Rachel.
God used it to guide Jacob to return to his home. He guided him with circumstances and the unfair dealings of Laban.
God was controlling the packaging of genes in the animals; they were neither random nor controlled by man.
DISCUSS/CONSIDER
When you are in a difficult situation, possibly being treated unfairly, do you try to vindicate yourself or do you let God deal with the problem?
In retrospect, recall times that God guided you.
CHALLENGE
God programmed you to be you, and as such, He has a special purpose for you. Are you seeking His will for your life? Are you using the gifts He has given you for His glory?
KEY VERSES
“The Lord said to Jacob, ‘Return to the land of your fathers and to your family, and I will be with you.” Genesis 31:3
“The Angel of God spoke to me saying, ‘Jacob.’ And I said, ‘Here I am.” And He said, ‘Lift your eyes now and see...I am the God of Bethel...where you made a vow to Me. Now arise, get out of the land, and return to the land of your family.” Genesis 31:11, 13
“Rachel had stolen the household idols that were her father’s.” Genesis 31:19