It’s Time to Go
The Patriarchs • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 5 viewsLead Pastor Wes Terry preaches on Jacob’s journey out of Haran back to Beersheeba and God’s faithfulness to Jacob’s family as he separates from Laban. The sermon was preached on July 28th, 2024.
Notes
Transcript
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
Today is going to be one of those sermons where we do more reading than talking.
One of the things that unique about our church is what we believe about the Bible.
We believe it is uniquely inspired by God and the means by which God transforms his people into the likeness of Jesus Christ.
Because of that, our Sunday sermons revolve around one text and the main point of that sermon is the main point of that sermon text.
Today’s passage is all about what happens when you sever ties with a toxic friend or family member.
The main conflict in our text today is between a man named Laban and his Son-in-Law Jacob who had recently married his two daughters.
Even though it’s the longest text I’ve ever preached I’m hoping it’ll be one of the most helpful sermons.
If you haven’t yet, you will one day be confronted with the question, “Should I stay or should I go?”
It’s an inevitable question because one of the things that God uses to develop us is seasons of transition and change.
When that time comes you’ll be confronted with things like confusion, opposition, fear and anxiety.
This passage not only illustrates what to do with those emotions but also how to deal with toxic people who are undermining the process.
In the case the Jacob, it was his father-in-law Laban. In your case, it might be someone or something else.
How can we know the answer to that question? That’s what I want us to look at this morning through this passage.
From my perspective, what you believe about the LORD shape whether and how you answer that question.
The outline for our message today will be
When to Go?
How To Go?
What to Remember?
Set the Table
Set the Table
We begin our passage in Genesis 30:25. Jacob has been working for no financial gain for about 14 years for his uncle Laban.
The first seven years he devoted to Laban so that he might marry the love of his life Rachel.
Instead of Rachel he got her ugly sister Leah and was required to work an additional 7 years to receive Rachel alongside.
During these years Jacob, Rachel and Leah build a family. It’s a season full of betrayal, jealousy, fighting and deception.
Leah struggled with discouragement because she was never loved by her husband. Rachel struggled with envy because even though she had Jacob’s love she couldn’t bear children like her sister.
Jacob struggled with anger and disappointment because the best years of his life weren’t spent building wealth for his family and their future but working for a man who was selfish and deceptive.
Read the Text
Read the Text
So it’s no surprise after the seven years are up that Jacob is ready to move on. That’s were our passage begins in Genesis 30:25-29
25 After Rachel gave birth to Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, “Send me on my way so that I can return to my homeland. 26 Give me my wives and my children that I have worked for, and let me go. You know how hard I have worked for you.”
If you remember back to Genesis 27 when Jacob’s parents sent him away from Beersheeba it wasn’t supposed to be forever. It was just until Esau’s anger cooled off.
Jacob has been gone 14 years at minimum. Probably more along the lines of 15-16 years!
Laban - always looking for a way to exploit people for more money and selfish gain responds as you might expect.
27 But Laban said to him, “If I have found favor with you, stay. I have learned by divination that the Lord has blessed me because of you.” 28 Then Laban said, “Name your wages, and I will pay them.”
WHEN TO GO
WHEN TO GO
Interesting move here by Laban. As soon as he feels the threat of losing Jacob he’s all of a sudden more generous with what he’s willing to pay.
We’re going to see later that he’s changed Jacob’s wages 10 times. Probably just enough to keep him tagging along but never a penny more.
Divination is never commended in the Scriptures but it was widely practiced.
We don’t know Laban’s particular approach but he was convinced by his gods that Jacob was his key to his life being blessed by God.
That’s why he’s willing to pay whatever it takes.
Material Harm
Material Harm
But Jacob wasn’t concerned about Laban’s prosperity he was concerned about his family’s future!
Jacob also knows HE is the reason for Laban’s success and while staying might be good for Laban it wouldn’t be best for his family.
We see this in his response.
29 So Jacob said to him, “You know how I have served you and how your herds have fared with me. 30 For you had very little before I came, but now your wealth has increased. The Lord has blessed you because of me. And now, when will I also do something for my own family?”
Read between the lines, Laban. There is no “wage” Jacob is willing to work for because he’s not committed to Laban’s family he’s committed to his OWN.
He’s done working for the man it’s time to create his OWN thing.
That brings us to the first clue it’s time to go.
It may be time to go if staying brings material harm to the people you love.
No salary can justify neglecting your family.
Laban seems to read between the lines so he puts the ball in Jacob’s court.
31 Laban asked, “What should I give you?”
And Jacob said, “You don’t need to give me anything. If you do this one thing for me, I will continue to shepherd and keep your flock. 32 Let me go through all your sheep today and remove every sheep that is speckled or spotted, every dark-colored sheep among the lambs, and the spotted and speckled among the female goats. Such will be my wages. 33 In the future when you come to check on my wages, my honesty will testify for me. If I have any female goats that are not speckled or spotted, or any lambs that are not black, they will be considered stolen.”
34 “Good,” said Laban. “Let it be as you have said.”
An Open Door
An Open Door
The second clue it may be time to go is if God has opened up another door of opportunity.
It’s surprising that Laban agrees but Jacob has essentially ensured there’s nothing for him to lose.
Jacob is taking all of the abnormal animals and leaving Laban with the most desirable. (all white sheep, all black goats)
Essentially Jacob says “I don’t want your money I want my freedom. So if you’re willing to give me the very worst of your herd then I’ll find a way to make it on my own.”
Laban agrees but includes an insurance policy.
35 That day Laban removed the streaked and spotted male goats and all the speckled and spotted female goats—every one that had any white on it—and every dark-colored one among the lambs, and he placed his sons in charge of them. 36 He put a three-day journey between himself and Jacob. Jacob, meanwhile, was shepherding the rest of Laban’s flock.
So Jacob has the worst part of the flock but he has some independence from Laban and a three days journey between him.
Things are looking up. What’s his plan?
37 Jacob then took branches of fresh poplar, almond, and plane wood, and peeled the bark, exposing white stripes on the branches. 38 He set the peeled branches in the troughs in front of the sheep—in the water channels where the sheep came to drink. And the sheep bred when they came to drink. 39 The flocks bred in front of the branches and bore streaked, speckled, and spotted young. 40 Jacob separated the lambs and made the flocks face the streaked sheep and the completely dark sheep in Laban’s flocks. Then he set his own stock apart and didn’t put them with Laban’s sheep.
41 Whenever the stronger of the flock were breeding, Jacob placed the branches in the troughs, in full view of the flocks, and they would breed in front of the branches. 42 As for the weaklings of the flocks, he did not put out the branches. So it turned out that the weak sheep belonged to Laban and the stronger ones to Jacob. 43 And the man became very rich. He had many flocks, female and male slaves, and camels and donkeys.
Visual Impression
Visual Impression
Jacob has a few tricks up his sleeve. Two things he does. One is this folk custom of visual impression. (or maternal impression)
The idea is to put some sort of visual in front of an animal while mating and the offspring would come to take on those same characteristics.
Obviously today we know that’s totally bunk science and that genetic traits are passed through DNA. Jacob, however, didn’t know that and he’s practicing what everybody else in that culture widely practiced.
The crazy thing is that it worked. When the strong sheep were in breeding season Jacob would create the visual impression. When they weren’t he wouldn’t. The result was many strong speckled and spotted sheep and goats!
The results had far more to do with God’s providence than Jacob’s superstition but the outcome great nonetheless.
Reminder - just because the open door looks small and unimpressive doesn’t mean God isn’t in it.
As the old hymn says, “Little is much if God is in it!”
Divine Directive
Divine Directive
Several years go by of doing this and we pick our story back up in chapter 31.
1 Now Jacob heard what Laban’s sons were saying: “Jacob has taken all that was our father’s and has built this wealth from what belonged to our father.” 2 And Jacob saw from Laban’s face that his attitude toward him was not the same as before.
3 The Lord said to him, “Go back to the land of your ancestors and to your family, and I will be with you.”
4 Jacob had Rachel and Leah called to the field where his flocks were. 5 He said to them, “I can see from your father’s face that his attitude toward me is not the same as before, but the God of my father has been with me. 6 You know that with all my strength I have served your father 7 and that he has cheated me and changed my wages ten times. But God has not let him harm me. 8 If he said, ‘The spotted sheep will be your wages,’ then all the sheep were born spotted. If he said, ‘The streaked sheep will be your wages,’ then all the sheep were born streaked. 9 God has taken away your father’s herds and given them to me.
10 “When the flocks were breeding, I saw in a dream that the streaked, spotted, and speckled males were mating with the females. 11 In that dream the angel of God said to me, ‘Jacob!’ and I said, ‘Here I am.’ 12 And he said, ‘Look up and see: all the males that are mating with the flocks are streaked, spotted, and speckled, for I have seen all that Laban has been doing to you. 13 I am the God of Bethel, where you poured oil on the stone marker and made a solemn vow to me. Get up, leave this land, and return to your native land.’ ”
Jacob realizes that Laban’s attitude as soured and there’s a jealousy and rivalry building up between him and his Father-in-Law.
At that same time he gets another dream or vision from the Lord. “Go back to your homeland and I’ll be with you.”
The Lord affirms to Jacob that the blessings of his wealth and prosperity has always been from the Lord and that he has been with him this entire time.
Which leads to the third and most obvious clue that it’s time to go: there’s a clear directive from the LORD.
Trusted Affirmation
Trusted Affirmation
The only potential barrier were the thoughts of Rachel and Leah. A move to relocate would’ve required their buy in to go peacefully. So what will they say?
14 Then Rachel and Leah answered him, “Do we have any portion or inheritance in our father’s family? 15 Are we not regarded by him as outsiders? For he has sold us and has certainly spent our purchase price. 16 In fact, all the wealth that God has taken away from our father belongs to us and to our children. So do whatever God has said to you.”
We shouldn’t be shocked by their response. Laban was a terrible dad and a terrible man.
Rachel and Leah rightly see this increase in wealth as being from the Lord and rightly theirs to inherit because Jacob’s 14 plus years of labor was the only thing he had to give in exchange for their hand in marriage. So they say “let’s go!”
This gives us the fourth and final clue it’s probably time to go.
If there’s a material harm to the people you love.
If there’s an open door of opportunity.
If there’s a clear directive from the Lord.
If there’s positive affirmation by those you trust.
HOW TO GO
HOW TO GO
Now that we know WHEN to go, what do we need to know about HOW to go about it.
That’s where our passage transitions in verse 17.
17 So Jacob got up and put his children and wives on the camels. 18 He took all the livestock and possessions he had acquired in Paddan-aram, and he drove his herds to go to the land of Canaan, to his father Isaac. 19 When Laban had gone to shear his sheep, Rachel stole her father’s household idols. 20 And Jacob deceived Laban the Aramean, not telling him that he was fleeing. 21 He fled with all his possessions, crossed the Euphrates, and headed for the hill country of Gilead.
While Laban is out shearing his sheep Jacob takes his two daughters and everything they owned and head for the land of Canaan.
One of the words that gets repeated over and over again in his passage shows up in verse 19, “Rachel stole her rather’s household idols.”
In fact it’s repeated in verse 20 but translated differently. When it says “Jacob deceived Laban” the literal Hebrew is “he stole the heart of Laban.” (which means to fool somebody.)
One steals Laban’s idols the other steal his heart. They’re a match made in heaven.
The word translated household idols is the Hebrew “teraphim.”
It’s used throughout the OT and some suggest it might’ve been like a good luck charm, a protective omen, healing charm, something along those lines.
We’re not told why or what significance these idols might’ve had for Rachel or if maybe this was just to add insult to injury on her father.
Anticipate Opposition
Anticipate Opposition
Whatever the reason Laban is incensed over the whole ordeal and pursues them as they flee.
22 On the third day Laban was told that Jacob had fled. 23 So he took his relatives with him, pursued Jacob for seven days, and overtook him in the hill country of Gilead.
The language used in verse 23 is military language (overtook.) Laban is NOT happy about this move and there will be people in your life who likewise resist.
Typically, the people who resist most strongly are the people most impacted by what you’ve chosen to do.
Jacob and his family had a three day head start but by the 10th day Laban catches up.
This is no family reunion. In fact, it had to potential to get really ugly but the Lord graciously cools Laban’s jets in a dream that night.
The first thing to remember when God says it’s time to make a move is that you’ll probably experience some form of opposition.
For Laban this is a military campaign but the Lord cools his jets through a dream that night.
24 But God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night. “Watch yourself!” God warned him. “Don’t say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.”
25 When Laban overtook Jacob, Jacob had pitched his tent in the hill country, and Laban and his relatives also pitched their tents in the hill country of Gilead. 26 Laban said to Jacob, “What have you done? You have deceived me and taken my daughters away like prisoners of war!
Misread Your Motives
Misread Your Motives
This response here by Laban is interesting. Again the passage is using military language about setting up tents and prisoners of war but Jacob had no such intention in leaving Haran.
What Laban doesn’t know is that his two daughters were more than willing to leave him behind.
But that doesn’t matter. When people oppose a God-ordained move they often misread your motives in the process.
Manipulate Your Emotions
Manipulate Your Emotions
After misreading his motives Laban starts the waterworks and attempts to manipulate Jacob.
27 Why did you secretly flee from me, deceive me, and not tell me? I would have sent you away with joy and singing, with tambourines and lyres, 28 but you didn’t even let me kiss my grandchildren and my daughters. You have acted foolishly.
This is another common tactic used by people who are resisting a God ordained move.
The will manipulate your emotions.
With Laban he uses gaslighting and historical revision and unrealistic commentary.
Malign Your Character
Malign Your Character
29 I could do you great harm, but last night the God of your father said to me, ‘Watch yourself! Don’t say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.’ 30 Now you have gone off because you long for your father’s family—but why have you stolen my gods?”
The final thing people will do in resisting a move of God is malign your character.
When resisting a move of God people will tell themselves whatever they need to say so that it can justify them fighting against the will of God. Laban is not unlike anybody else in that regard.
Laban has been a cheat for years and years and years and now he pretends to be the victim.
To a degree, Laban is not wrong in assuming his gods were stolen. They were.
But Moses is careful to explain that Jacob had no idea and was innocent of these charges.
Meddle In Your Business
Meddle In Your Business
Jacob knows Laban’s game and he refuses to play along. But he had to be prepared for the process of vindication.
31 Jacob answered, “I was afraid, for I thought you would take your daughters from me by force. 32 If you find your gods with anyone here, he will not live! Before our relatives, point out anything that is yours and take it.” Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the idols.
33 So Laban went into Jacob’s tent, Leah’s tent, and the tents of the two concubines, but he found nothing. When he left Leah’s tent, he went into Rachel’s tent. 34 Now Rachel had taken Laban’s household idols, put them in the saddlebag of the camel, and sat on them. Laban searched the whole tent but found nothing.
35 She said to her father, “Don’t be angry, my lord, that I cannot stand up in your presence; I am having my period.” So Laban searched, but could not find the household idols.
It’s almost uncomfortable to listen in on this conversation between Rachel and her Father.
But it’s something to remember when dealing with opposition.
Not only will people misread your motives, manipulate your emotions and malign your character.
They’ll also overstep their boundaries and meddle in your business.
Again, if God has made the move then there’s nothing to fear from transparency.
If you interpret these events from Jacob’s perspective he’s done everything he could to stay above board.
Let God Be Your Defender
Let God Be Your Defender
Which is why his response is super heated. If you read in Hebrew it’s very choppy and tense.
36 Then Jacob became incensed and brought charges against Laban. “What is my crime?” he said to Laban. “What is my sin, that you have pursued me? 37 You’ve searched all my possessions! Have you found anything of yours? Put it here before my relatives and yours, and let them decide between the two of us. 38 I’ve been with you these twenty years. Your ewes and female goats have not miscarried, and I have not eaten the rams from your flock. 39 I did not bring you any of the flock torn by wild beasts; I myself bore the loss. You demanded payment from me for what was stolen by day or by night. 40 There I was—the heat consumed me by day and the frost by night, and sleep fled from my eyes. 41 For twenty years in your household I served you—fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flocks—and you have changed my wages ten times! 42 If the God of my father, the God of Abraham, the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me, certainly now you would have sent me off empty-handed. But God has seen my affliction and my hard work, and he issued his verdict last night.”
In other words, “Laban, shut your mouth.” Your manipulation tactics and gaslighting are not going to work any more. I’ve had enough. I’m not buying your “sob story.”
You’ve been cheating me and my family from the very beginning and I’ve finally had enough. And from what you say it sounds like God agrees with me!
Which is the best and only way to deal with opposition when God is making a move - Let God be your defender.
Jacob is not defending himself as much as he’s pointing to the vindication of the Lord.
Everybody who matters agrees with me. Rachel agrees. Leah agrees. And all of my children agree!
And the LORD agrees!
What will Laban say now?
43 Then Laban answered Jacob, “The daughters are my daughters; the children, my children; and the flocks, my flocks! Everything you see is mine! But what can I do today for these daughters of mine or for the children they have borne? 44 Come now, let’s make a covenant, you and I. Let it be a witness between the two of us.”
Laban is still oblivious. Some people really can’t be reasoned with! (Men I hope none of you have a Father-in-Law like this!
The only saving grace is that Laban seems willing to make a deal to bury the hatchet.
Give Peace an Opportunity
Give Peace an Opportunity
Which leads us to the third and final thing on how to leave well. Give peace an opportunity.
45 So Jacob picked out a stone and set it up as a marker. 46 Then Jacob said to his relatives, “Gather stones.” And they took stones and made a mound, then ate there by the mound. 47 Laban named the mound Jegar-sahadutha, but Jacob named it Galeed.
Laban gives it an Aramaic name. Jacob gives it a Hebrew name.
This points to the fact that they distinct and separate from one another. Different families. Different nations. (this is partly why this region gets contested later on in the history of Israel)
But even though there was an obviously hostility and difference of opinion - both men give peace a chance.
48 Then Laban said, “This mound is a witness between you and me today.” Therefore the place was called Galeed 49 and also Mizpah, for he said, “May the Lord watch between you and me when we are out of each other’s sight. 50 If you mistreat my daughters or take other wives, though no one is with us, understand that God will be a witness between you and me.” 51 Laban also said to Jacob, “Look at this mound and the marker I have set up between you and me. 52 This mound is a witness and the marker is a witness that I will not pass beyond this mound to you, and you will not pass beyond this mound and this marker to do me harm. 53 The God of Abraham, and the gods of Nahor—the gods of their father—will judge between us.” And Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac. 54 Then Jacob offered a sacrifice on the mountain and invited his relatives to eat a meal. So they ate a meal and spent the night on the mountain.
This has all of the elements of a typical covenant ceremony.
You have an oath and a witness. You have a sign and a meal. The heap of stones is a symbol of the conviction that God would have his eyes on both parties and would ensure everybody stays honest.
One goes north. One goes south. A barrier is created which shall not be passed.
55 Laban got up early in the morning, kissed his grandchildren and daughters, and blessed them. Then Laban left to return home.
The military conflict is averted. They part ways not as friends but neither as enemies.
Jacob is allowed to go with the possessions that are rightfully his.
PRINCIPLES FROM THE STORY
PRINCIPLES FROM THE STORY
Because we only have little bit of time remaining I want to close with some points of application.
I want to frame them as things to remember when God says it’s time for you to go.
Keeps His Promise
Keeps His Promise
The big idea of this narrative is the same big idea of MANY of the narratives in the book of Genesis.
When God makes a promise he keeps it! Promises made, promises kept!
God has remained true to his word. Specifically his covenant promises to Abraham.
Whoever blesses you I will bless. Whoever curses you I will curse.
Even when Laban tries to cheat Jacob God still transforms it into a blessing.
He cheated Jacob with Leah instead of Rachel. But through Leah Jacob gains many children (one line through whom the Messiah comes!)
His cheating redounds to Jacob’s blessing.
He cheated Jacob by changing his wages 10 ties. Every times, Jacob comes out more wealthy.
Application
Application
Do you trust the promises of God in your life? God is faithful to his covenant promises to US in Christ.
Blessed are the poor… theirs is the kingdom.
Blessed are those who mourn… they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek … they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst… they will be satisfied.
Do you live as if these covenant promises are true or are you missing out because of fear & unbelief?
Protects His People
Protects His People
The LORD keeps his promises.
The second big take away from this chapter is that the LORD protects his people.
We live in big scary world. Lots of things can and do go wrong. But the Lord protects his people in keeping with his covenant promises.
This is another theme that has been running through the whole book of Genesis.
Human beings are human and as such will let you down. Even your closest family members will betray you.
But the LORD never will.
Jacob said to his wives early in this process, “Your father never looks out for me but the LORD always does.” (Gen 31:5-7) He cheated me 10 times, but God did not permit him to harm me.
Laban comes with great power and an intent to harm Jacob, but what does God do? He appears to Laban in a dream and He says, “Mmm, check yourself before you wreck yourself, okay, Laban? You don’t want to do this.”
Laban came with malice but he left on terms of peace. God protects his people.
This could’ve ended with Jacob going home as empty handed as he came. But God is keeps his promises and he keeps his people.
Works Through Providence
Works Through Providence
The final thing to remember from this passage is that God achieves BOTH of these truths through his providence.
Providence is a theological word but an extremely practical truth.
It comes from two latin words (to see ahead and to provide for).
The idea is that God not only sees the future but that he works through big things and small things, good things and bad things to bring about his perfect purposes no matter what.
Sometimes, God’s providence is a “difficult providence” sometimes it is a “easier providence” but in all things and at all times it is GOD who working everything together for good.
Life can be extremely messy but God can use it all.
When you remember the providence of God you’ll be more confident and less anxious. You can step back and rest knowing he’s writing the story and he’s the main hero of every arch.
From one perspective Jacob’s 20 years were filled with pain and misery. From another they brought about the greatest blessings in his life.
Conclusion
Conclusion
It is the providence of God that God Jacob from where he was to where he needed to be.
It’s the providence of God that enabled him to accomplish the redemption of world through the execution of his son.
It is the providence of God that can take even difficult transitions in your life and work all things together for good.
Will you trust him to keep his promise? Will you wait on him to protect and provide? Will you look for his providential hand in every circumstance in life?
If you can remember these things - then you’ll be ready to answer the question, “Should I stay or should I go?”
