A Weekly Meditation of Pastor Chang (May 31, 2009)

<The Characteristics of Spiritual Leaders> (34)

(The Spiritual Life of Jacob) (2)

Jacob, the forefather of Israelites, finally ran away from home and went to stay with his uncle, Laban. On his journey, he reached a certain place and stopped for the night. That night he had a dream, he heard God called and promised him to inherit the covenant which was made between God and his father, Isaac, and his grandfather, Abraham. He also responded to God that if God protected him, he would serve the Lord. Finally he arrived at Laban’s home safely.

Laban was the older brother of Rebekah, Jacob’s uncle. He lived in Paddan Aram, a place of Arameans. It is located at the northern part of Assyria, nowadays. Actually including Abraham who was also an Aramean (Deut. 26:5.) These ancient Arameans were shepherds. Laban was one of them. But he was not a very righteous person. In fact, he was quite crooked and sneaky. Actually, in terms of characters, Jacob was compatible to his uncle, Laban. And because of this reason, both of them had about 20 years at strife. Here is the story:

When Jacob arrived at a place, he originally did not know that was Paddan Aram, but saw a well first. Then, he met some shepherds and flocks. Finally he met Rachel, a beautiful woman, his cousin. After opening the big stone which covered the mouth of the well for Rachel (One can tell that Jacob was a strong man), Jacob helped Rachel watered the flocks. Rachel was so joyful first that she went back home to tell his father, Laban. And Laban came out to meet Jacob. They really met with surprise, and finally recognized each other with exceeding joy.

After staying at his home for a month, Laban asked his nephew Jacob: if he stayed, what should be the wages? Jacob loved Rachel, the second laughter of Laban, and he asked to work for 7 years so that he could marry Rachel. This was the deal. Seven years later, when the first night of wedding, instead of giving Rachel, Laban replaced Leah to Jacob. Of course, Jacob was very displeased in the next morning when he found out. After being persuaded, Jacob was willing to serve another 7 years for Rachel. 7 days after his first wedding, Jacob married Rachel. Unfortunately, that caused these two sisters competed each other for love. And in the next 20 years of marriage two sisters plus their maid servants gave Jacob 11 sons and one daughter. The 12^th son was Benjamin. He was the last son given by Rachel after they went back to Canaan. Unfortunately, Rachel died because of tribulation in giving birth. The last 2 sons, Joseph and Benjamin, were the sons of Rachel; they were the most favorite sons of Jacob.

After 14 years of hard labor, Jacob got 2 wives and 2 concubines and 12 children. From the 15^th year on, Laban needed to give Jacob real wages. At the beginning, because of Jacob, the Lord really blessed Laban to be a very rich man. But the tricks remained inside of Laban. When Jacob requested that he could get every dark-colored lambs and every spotted or speckled goat to be his wages. It was settled. But before his leaving, Laban asked his sons to take away all those dark-colored sheep and spotted and speckled goats so it would be difficult for the flocks to produce such kinds of lambs or goats.

Yet, Jacob used another way to produce: he took fresh-cut branches from poplar, almond and plane trees and made white stripes on them by peeling the bark and exposing the white inner wood of the branches. Then he placed the peeled branches in all the watering troughs, so when the flocks came to drink and were in heat, they mated in front of the branches. God blessed the flocks to have many spotted and speckled young lambs and goats. God used this way to bless more for Jacob. And because of this, Laban was so jealous to change ways of counting wages 10 times. Yet God was always behind the scene to bless Jacob.

In these 20 years, Jacob began to change spiritually. He personally experienced God’s presence many times, and he began to have good communication and relationship with God. But unfortunately, at the same time, Laban and Jacob’s relationship was getting worse and became more stifled later on. Jacob therefore was thinking of going home. After discussing with his wives and got their support, Jacob took what he had and went away quietly.

Laban, this tricky person, originally was blessed by God because of his nephew. Yet, he did not change his characters. After being rich, he still tried to trick Jacob. But God would not allow it happen and turned to bless Jacob more. Actually God does not like anyone who is dishonest or treacherous. Those who are tricky will be trapped by their own tricks. May the Lord help us, so that we may keep ourselves in a righteous way! (To be continued…)