Blessed Transitions

On the third day Laban was told that Jacob had fled. Taking his relatives with him, he pursued Jacob for seven days and caught up with him in the hill country of Gilead. Then God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night and said to him, “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.” Genesis 31: 22-24

These are difficult times, as I write this many have strained finances, in the United States we are recovering from two recent natural disasters. Our hard work and toil feels threatened. Especially in times of transitions, but do not be afraid, the Lord is able to communicate to our pursuers. To paraphrase the Lord’s remarks to Laban, he might have said, ‘This one is mine, do not pay him compliments you do not believe but do not insult him either.’

Laban was Jacob’s uncle. He was not happy that he left, not because he was family, but because he was a workman who fed his greed for more wealth. He pursued Jacob, not for his daughters and I doubt that he pursued him to recover his family gods either. What he wanted was Jacob. He chased him for seven days. Probably on camel and probably in haste, asking along the way “have you seen this man” which way did he go’?

It has been said “A man's reputation is what other people think of him; his character is what he really is.” Jacob had learned character while serving Laban. He was no longer a usurper, but one who had worked for his wage. God had carved him out to be who He wanted him to be. When God does that you can face your enemies boldly, even when they are of your own household. You can transition well from one phase of your life to the next because you know that the Lord is with you.

When God is with you he is not only talking to you but he is talking to others on your behalf. Sometimes to bless you with unexpected kindness as Essau would shortly do in this chronology, at other times your pursuers just decide to leave you alone. Either way the transition for you is a blessing. For the Lord thy God is with you!!!