In the last article we looked at the place that God met Jacob, "The Awesome Place" and we asked the question How do we respond to such an incredible God?
Genesis 29-31 gives us Jacob's response
Jacob journeys on (Genesis 29:1) in response to:-
1. His obedience to his Father
2. Running for his life
3. His encounter with God
4. His commitment to the encounter
Jacob arrives at a well, an oasis, a place where water is plentiful and a place where shepherds water their flocks. I imagine that Jacob must have been thirsty.
This well of water would have probably been the same one that Eliezer had visited years before (Genesis 24) and where his thirst was quenched by Rebekah (The future bride of Issac). Rebekah is a parallel to us, the church, the bride of Christ and I would like you to note that the bride of Christ is always willing to quench the thirst of those who are thirsty.
Although Jacob had been bought up in a God fearing family, he had rebelled and run away yet God in His infinite wisdom and goodness reaches down and leads him to a well, a place of refreshment.
God will always lead those who have set their heart toward Him. Jacob had this encounter with God on route to Haran and had made a commitment to give the God of his Father and Grandfather a chance. What have we done with the 'God encounters' in our lives, have we committed ourselves to continue our journey to the place God has marked out for us or do we stay in the desert?
Thank God that Jacob had the desire and strength to complete what was in Gods plan for him. He arrived at the well, the place where God strengthens and refreshes. God had bought Jacob to this place in order to use him. God wants us to be used by Him and for Him, it is in our willingness to be engaged in helping to water the flock that we will be refreshed.
Jacob's life is changing because of his encounter with 'Almighty God'. God had a plan for this rebellious, scheming youth who had spent most of his young life getting what he wanted, by hook or by crook.
God has a plan for all of us, he wants to transform us from sinners to saints, to set us free from the power of cancelled sin so that we can be of use in His kingdom.
Jacob was now willing to serve, we read that after he had served Laban for a month, he had made such a good impression that Laban said 'Why should you serve for nothing, what shall I pay you?’ Wouldn't that be great if our boss came to us and said 'well done what pay rise do you want?’
God is in the business of rewarding, and remember Jacob had vowed a tenth of all that he accumulated he would give back to God.
Jacob by this time was totally besotted with his cousin Rachel, beauty beyond compare, so much so that he was willing to serve Laban for 7 years so that he could wed her. What a commitment not just on a physical level waiting for the person you love for 7 years but also on a spiritual level where Jacob had begun to realise that his life was in Gods hands not in his own. Before his "God encounter" Jacob would have tried to manipulate the situation for his own end.
Do we realise that when we have 'God encounters' as Jacob and the ladder or life struggles like being cheated by Laban, they are for the sole purpose of transforming our lives so that we can be of use to God?
What is it that keeps us and makes us stay where we are?
1. Is it fear of the unknown
2. Security in our current surroundings
3. Just plain ignorance.
Do we know that we are in the right place with God?
1. In our lives
2. Our marriages
3. Our work place
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