Explore the Bible Series for March 9: Learning about God’s faithfulness

Posted: 2/27/08

Explore the Bible Series for March 9

Learning about God’s faithfulness

• Genesis 29:16-27; 31:1-3, 38-42

By Donald Raney

First Baptist Church, Petersburg

How many times have you heard someone ask, “Where was God when that happened?” Perhaps if you really were honest, you would have to admit you have asked the question. The Bible is full of God’s promises to bless and protect his followers, but the difficulties and tragedies of life can lead even the most mature believer to moments of doubt and questioning those promises.

While this is seen most vividly during times of national crisis, individuals also can experience times of doubt in their daily lives. Perhaps he or she is passed over for a deserved promotion at work or experience unexpected financial or health problems. These questions appear even more acute when we see those around us with no apparent relationship to God prospering.

The story of Jacob presents the reader with a picture of one who gradually came to understand that all he had was due to God’s blessing. From being the deceiver who stole his brother’s birthright and blessing to a man of faith and reliance on God, the life of Jacob can teach us much about the faithfulness of God and how we can come to rely on it. Whether facing deception, hardship or hostility, God calls every believer to maintain faith and trust that God always will remain faithful to us.

Faithful despite deception (Genesis 29:16-27)

It is part of our sinful human nature. In our quest to get the most out of life, we can resort to deception and manipulation of others. We see this every day. Politicians make promises in order to gain votes only to forget them after the election. Advertisers twist and distort facts about their products. Characters on television and in movies lie and cheat to gain the upperhand while the canned laughter response subtly suggests it not only is okay, but humorous. It can be easy to overlook or dismiss such actions until we are the victim of deception.

For most of his life, Jacob lived up to his name, “deceiver.” He had used trickery to gain most of what he had. Knowing this, many, especially those who have been the victim of deception, may come to Genesis 29 and think, “It finally caught up to him. The deceiver was deceived.” Yet these thoughts should not prevent us from seeing that God continued to bless Jacob in fulfillment of his earlier promises. God was faithful in spite of Laban’s deception and, in fact, would use the results of that deception to bless Jacob even more as Leah would give birth to four sons. Jacob’s story teaches us that while the believer may occasionally be deceived by someone else, God’s faithfulness to his word is more than able to overcome human deception.

Faithful despite hostility (Genesis 31:1-3)

In addition to our willingness to deceive to get what we want, humans also possess a predisposition toward hostility in response to a perceived injustice against us. This hostility may not be physical in nature, but always will be an attempt to balance the scales or tear down the one who committed the injustice. This is perhaps most clearly evident in the vast number of personal injury lawsuits filed each year. Whether there is merit in the claims or not, our perception is that we have been injured, and someone needs to pay. In such cases, there is always a victim who is left to wonder why it happened.

During his time living in Laban’s household, God continued to bless Jacob. Genesis 30:25-42 records that God enabled Jacob to acquire a sizeable flock of his own from Laban’s flock. While these verses describe Jacob’s actions in securing the sheep, the reader should not lose sight of the fact that it was God acting on his behalf. This ultimately created jealousy and animosity toward Jacob among Laban’s servants and they sought to turn Laban against Jacob. Their efforts apparently worked as the relationship between Laban and Jacob became strained. Yet God clearly still was working to protect and bless Jacob even to the point of enabling him to return home.

Any believer who desires to “let their light shine” before non-believers should expect to face criticism and even hostility. But we should never forget that God’s faithfulness is certain regardless of what anyone else might do or say.

Faithful despite hardships (Genesis 31:38-42)

Living in line with the promises and purposes of God is hard. A life of surrender to God’s leadership is diametrically opposed to the way the world operates. It is contrary to our natural predispositions. Because of this, our human nature along with forces beyond our control can create difficulties along our path. At these times, it is easy to begin to wonder if we are on the right path or if God is helping us.

Jacob initially had planned to work for Laban seven years. Instead, Jacob had been required to work 20 years. He still bore the divine promises, but still was separated from his home. For 20 years he had toiled, doubtlessly wondering about how, when or even if God’s promises would be fulfilled. He certainly had to ask God numerous times how his current situation and hardships fit into the big picture. Yet God was indeed working in not only blessing Jacob within the situation in spite of the hardships, but also in preparing the way for Jacob’s eventual return to his family home.

Whenever we face problems or hardships in our Christian lives, we need to remember these are not signs God has forgotten or abandoned us. We simply need to raise our eyes, get a look at the larger picture of what God is doing, and praise God he is constantly faithful to his word to us despite our current circumstances.