Scripture: Genesis 30:25–31:21

I. God blesses you to bless others.

A. It is clear to both Laban and to Jacob that God has blessed Laban because of Jacob. Laban wants to keep Jacob on the farm (Genesis 30:27), “I have learned by divination that the LORD has blessed me because of you.” Laban was not rich before Jacob came. But now? Laban was a rich man. Jacob had brought the blessing of God to Laban. This blessing is the fulfillment of God’s promise to Jacob’s grandfather Abraham.
B. The promise that God had made to Abraham and his descendants is found in Genesis 12:3: “I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” God teaches us that you are blessed to be a blessing to others. You are not blessed so that you can horde God’s blessings for yourself. That is not the way God’s people are to live. We are blessed to be a blessing to others in this world.

II. God gives justice to His people over their enemies.

A. Jacob’s enemy is his father-in-law Laban. Laban got 14 years of slavery out of Jacob to pay Laban for both of his daughters. What injustice! But now it was time for God to give Jacob justice. Jacob’s plan to get a flock for himself worked (vs. 39). The flocks produced sheep and goats that would belong to him, not Laban. Genesis 30:43, “Thus the man increased greatly and had large flocks, female servants and male servants, and camels and donkeys.”
B. Jacob resorted to trickery again in gaining blessing for himself against Laban (vs. 41-42). God was not finished with Jacob in refining his character. God has work to do on all of us. Philippians 1:6: “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Jacob said to his wives in Genesis 31:9: “Thus God has taken away the livestock of your father and has given them to me.” God gave Jacob justice.

III. God clearly calls you to your next step.

A. As soon as Jacob heard what Laban’s sons were saying about him taking their father’s wealth (Genesis 31:1), Jacob knew he was in danger. God was preparing Jacob. Genesis 31:3: “Then the LORD said to Jacob, ‘Return to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you.’” This was the next step God had for Jacob in his faith journey. And people of faith take the next step and obey God. So, Jacob obeys God. In vs. 17 he gathers his family and property, and he begins his journey home.

Application:
God is the star of the Bible and of your life. Follow Him. Praise Him.
Sources:
The Bible
Commentaries by Allen Ross, Dale Ralph Davis and Bruce Waltke.

Sermon Discussion Questions

1) Why does God bless His people? What does that say about blessing other people with the Good News about Jesus?
2) How does God help His people wait in a season of injustice? Do we always get justice in this world? But will God make sure that we get justice?
3) When you are trying to discern God’s will for your life, what is a good thing to look for? What book should you be constantly reading if you want God’s will for your life?