BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE (38 OF 54)
by Keith Krell
Scripture: Genesis 31:1-24, Genesis 31:26-55
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Between a Rock and a Hard Place (38 of 54)
Series: The Book of Beginnings
Keith Krell
Genesis 31:1-55
A pastor was walking down the street one day when he noticed a very small boy trying to press a doorbell on a house across the street. The boy wasn't very tall and the doorbell was too high for him to reach. After watching the boy's efforts, the pastor walked across the street, stepped up behind the little fellow, and placed his hand kindly on the child's shoulder. He then leaned over and gave the doorbell a solid ring. Crouching down to the child's level, the pastor smiled and asked, ''And now what, my little man?'' To which the boy replied, ''Now we run!''
The reason I find this story so funny is because I did plenty of this when I was a little boy. In fact, I performed these antics into my teenage years (just kidding!). Obviously, this prank contains elements of adrenalin, deceit, and fear. Fortunately, the consequences are usually minimal...at least for me they were. Other acts of deceit can have great consequences. In Genesis 31, Jacob and Rachel are guilty of exercising deceit and fear, yet through it all, God shows Himself faithful, despite their shortcomings.
Our story begins in 31:1-2: ''Now Jacob heard the words of Laban's sons, saying, 'Jacob has taken away all that was our father's, and from what belonged to our father he has made all this wealth.' Jacob saw the attitude of Laban, and behold, it was not friendly toward him as formerly.'' Both Laban and his sons were unhappy with Jacob's success. Essentially, Laban's sons were accusing Jacob of stealing their inheritance. And from their perspective, it was disappearing right before their very eyes. As a result, they became envious and bitter toward Jacob. Laban also treated Jacob differently. Six years earlier, Laban was willing to pay any price to have Jacob stay and care for his flocks (30:28, 31). But now Laban's attitude was quickly changing.
God's blessings upon a believer can ...
Series: The Book of Beginnings
Keith Krell
Genesis 31:1-55
A pastor was walking down the street one day when he noticed a very small boy trying to press a doorbell on a house across the street. The boy wasn't very tall and the doorbell was too high for him to reach. After watching the boy's efforts, the pastor walked across the street, stepped up behind the little fellow, and placed his hand kindly on the child's shoulder. He then leaned over and gave the doorbell a solid ring. Crouching down to the child's level, the pastor smiled and asked, ''And now what, my little man?'' To which the boy replied, ''Now we run!''
The reason I find this story so funny is because I did plenty of this when I was a little boy. In fact, I performed these antics into my teenage years (just kidding!). Obviously, this prank contains elements of adrenalin, deceit, and fear. Fortunately, the consequences are usually minimal...at least for me they were. Other acts of deceit can have great consequences. In Genesis 31, Jacob and Rachel are guilty of exercising deceit and fear, yet through it all, God shows Himself faithful, despite their shortcomings.
Our story begins in 31:1-2: ''Now Jacob heard the words of Laban's sons, saying, 'Jacob has taken away all that was our father's, and from what belonged to our father he has made all this wealth.' Jacob saw the attitude of Laban, and behold, it was not friendly toward him as formerly.'' Both Laban and his sons were unhappy with Jacob's success. Essentially, Laban's sons were accusing Jacob of stealing their inheritance. And from their perspective, it was disappearing right before their very eyes. As a result, they became envious and bitter toward Jacob. Laban also treated Jacob differently. Six years earlier, Laban was willing to pay any price to have Jacob stay and care for his flocks (30:28, 31). But now Laban's attitude was quickly changing.
God's blessings upon a believer can ...
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