This post is Day 16 in a series of studies about “Work/Works”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

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Work/Works – Day 16

In our verse today Jacob is reminding Laban how well he has worked for him, and it is true. He worked hard as a shepherd, but he also prepared some of the better sheep and goats for his own future! Does that encourage you, or does it make you irritated?

Genesis 30:29

Jacob said to him, “You know how I have worked for you and how your livestock has fared under my care.”

The Thought

Jacob is speaking to Laban here, his father in law with whom he never had the best of relationships. Both men seemed to be a bit sneaky and tried to get the better of the other! But Jacob did work for his mother’s brother (Genesis 28:5) Laban for many years, caring for his own two wives Leah and Rachel after their scheming father tricked him into taking both daughters as his wives (Genesis 29). It seems that scheming was a family trait!

During that time Jacob prepared slowly and carefully for the time he would be free of Laban’s underhand ideas. It is interesting because Jacob was a schemer too! From his birth he was named for being a deceiver (Genesis 25:26). Later in Genesis 27 we read how Jacob, in agreement with his mother deceived both his brother and his father.

In our verse today Jacob is reminding Laban how well he has worked for him, and it is true. He worked hard as a shepherd, but he also prepared some of the better sheep and goats for his own future (Genesis 31)!

In spite of all the deception by Jacob and those around him, God still chose Him to be the father of His people. Does that encourage you today, or does it make you irritated?

Action

Think today about your own attitude to those who deceive you or those you care for. Do those people make you angry, or do you think it is just part of life? Nobody is perfect!

Consider your own working life; have you always been totally honest and done the maximum, or did it depend on the attitude of your boss?

Praise God that He doesn’t wait until we are perfect to use us in His service.

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