Bible Devotion

Day 1

Read slowly and reflectively the assigned passage twice at least and consider the questions below.

Scriptural Reflection
Genesis 29:21–35

We shall continue with the study of the Book of Genesis this week.

(1) Did Laban really intend to honor their local custom? What was his intention?

(2) What does this say about his moral condition?

(3) How did he know that he could continue to take advantage of Jacob?

(4) Does another seven years seem fair to you? Why or why not?

(5) How would the daughters think of their father’s action? (Refer to Gen. 31:15.)

(6) Do you think that as Jacob served further for Rachel, that the seven years were “like only a few days"? (Gen. 29:20)

(7) What kind of spiritual training did God give Jacob through Laban?

(8) Why did the Lord cause Rachel to be barren? It was not Rachel’s fault.

(9) What message was God sending to Leah and to Jacob?

(10) How did the naming of the first three sons reveal the sorrow of Leah?

(11) What does the naming of the fourth son tell us about the spiritual maturity of Leah?

(12) What is the main message to you today and how can you apply it to your life?

Meditative Reflection
A Victim of Traditions

Reading the story of Leah reminds me of the many old Cantonese movies I watched as a kid in which a woman was made to marry a man against her wish under the ancient traditions. Leah, in the land of Syria, was no different. She became a pawn in her father’s quest of wealth. It was not that Jacob was wealthy but his service did greatly increase Laban’s herd of flock.

She knew that her husband’s first love was her sister, not she. It must have been a marriage in hell. The naming of her first three sons fully revealed her hurts.

In naming her first son Reuben, she was counting on the oriental custom of placing value on the first born male-child. She honestly thought that this would turn her husband’s heart around, and yet this was not the case, obviously.

So, at the birth of the second son, Simeon, she thought this would certainly turn her husband’s heart around, and yet it did not happen.

And, at the birth of her third son, Levi, she was certain that Jacob would become attached to her. Unfortunately, it did not work either.

It is interesting to note, though, that in all three births, Leah understood that it was the work of God. He alone was the one who gave her the sons, and so Reuben means, “He has seen my misery”; Simeon means, “the One who hears”, and Levi means, “attached”.

As her misery of being unloved continued, she had two options: Continue to trust in God or blame Him. What did she choose?

At the birth of the fourth son, she named him, Judah which means “praise”. There was no mention of what she hoped to achieve with the birth of her son. She chose simply to praise God, irrespective of  whether her husband would respond with love or not.

In her time, Leah would have had very little knowledge of God, and her knowledge of God would only have come from stories she heard from Jacob his continuous encounters with Him, and perhaps stories of Abraham’s encounter as well. But with simple faith, not that she did not make mistakes of judgment, she had grown into the essence of faith in God which is obedience.

With our profound understanding of God and the comprehensive teachings we have from the 66 books of the Bible today, the faith of some of us cannot even come close to that of Leah!

Day 2

Read slowly and reflectively the assigned passage twice at least and consider the questions below.

Scriptural Reflection
Genesis 30:1–24

(1) Rachel must have heard about the giving of Hagar by Sarah to Abraham, and its sad consequence. Why would she follow Sarah’s example?

(2) Did God really vindicate Rachel with the birth of Dan? Why did Rachel think it was God's doing?

(3) What was Leah’s motive in giving her maidservant to Jacob? Was it simply out of a spirit of competition?

(4) With her son’s mandrakes (aphrodisiac fruits of the ancient world), Leah almost treated her husband as a prostitute. Why then did the Bible say, “God listened to Leah” in v. 17? Why did Leah say that the birth of Issachar was God’s reward to her, “for giving my maidservant to my husband”?

(5) Throughout these incidents, what did Leah desire to achieve? Did she really achieve her desire? Why or why not?

(6) Can you count how many sons had been born to Jacob up to v. 20? Why did God wait such a long time, and “then…remembered Rachel”? What if Rachel had waited upon the Lord and the Lord only?

(7) Throughout this family struggle between the two wives, Jacob appeared not to be in control. Was he? Should he be?

(8) What do you think was God’s desire in this respect? (Refer to Mal. 2:15.)

(9) What is the main message to you today and how can you apply it to your life?

Meditative Reflection
Passive Manipulation

We all know that Jacob cheated his brother of the birth-right. As his name suggests, he is a master manipulator. When we read his encounter with Laban, we cannot help but see how Providence worked in humbling him in the hands of another master manipulator.

But it does not mean that Jacob would immediately learn his lesson. Perhaps, as almost a slave in the household of Laban, he simply had no means of reciprocation. His manipulation, unfortunately, assumed a different form and would play out among his wives.

On the surface, it was the jealous feud between Rachel and Leah that had led to Jacob taking their maidservants as concubines, almost involuntarily. But we do know the following things:

1. He knew exactly the hurt of Leah.

2. He knew it was the Lord who closed the womb of Rachel.

3. He knew that the taking of Rachel’s maidservant as a wife would not take away the disgrace Rachel felt.

4. He knew that the taking of Leah’s maidservant as a wife was only a game Leah played in retaliation.

5. He happily obliged all along.

Not once did he enquire of the Lord as to how he should resolve the situation. Not once did he try to seek peace within the family. Not once does the Bible indicate that he objected to his wives’ manipulative actions. On the surface, he was the one being manipulated, but as the head of his household, he was the real manipulator, albeit a passive one.

Yes, by the grace of God, his four wives eventually produced the twelve tribes of Israel, but the ensuing stories tell of the selling of one of his sons by the rest of the brothers, and the numerous immoral deeds that were prevalent in the next generation. It was all because Jacob did not set a moral example of how to be a godly father!

Day 3

Read slowly and reflectively the assigned passage twice at least and consider the questions below.

Scriptural Reflection
Genesis 30:25–45

(1) Why did Jacob choose to leave after Rachel gave birth to Joseph? Where did he want to go? Why?

(2) Did the wives and children not belong to Jacob? Why did Jacob have to ask for permission to leave with them? (Refer to Gen. 31:43.)

(3) How did Laban understand that his riches were a result of the blessings from the Lord because of Jacob? What kind of a person was Laban spiritually? (If your Bible version does not give you a clue, consult the NIV.)

(4) When Laban said, “Name your wages, and I will pay them”, do you think he could be trusted? What happened to his last promise to Jacob?

(5) Now, Jacob tried to negotiate with Laban so that he would not leave just with his wives and children and nothing else. What did he propose? Why would Laban be so receptive to this suggestion? (Jacob ended up working for him for an extra 6 years. See Gen. 31:38.)

(6) Did Laban honor his end of the bargain?

(7) Why didn’t Jacob get angry? What did he do in response?

(8) Did Jacob cheat with his scheme? (See Gen. 31:10-13.)

(9) What was the result of the extra 6 years of voluntary service?

(10) What is the main message to you today and how can you apply it to your life?

Meditative Reflection
Be Still My Soul

In reading Jacob’s last bargain with Laban, we can see how his faith has grown as he replied to Laban’s question of “What shall I give you” with “Don’t give me anything!”

Another six years of serving Laban has resulted in, “the man grew exceedingly prosperous and came to own large flocks, and maidservants and menservants and camels and donkeys.” (Gen. 30: 43). How prosperous was he? Just as gifts to Esau, he was able to offer, besides many other animals, 30 female camels!

I invite you to reflect on God’s provision and care with the lyrics of the famous Be Still My Soul penned by Katharina Schlegel in 1697, to the music of Sibelius’ Finlandia.

1
Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

2
Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.

3
Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,

And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.

4
Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.

5
Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, believing, to Thy Lord on high;
Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,
So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.
Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.

Day 4

Read slowly and reflectively the assigned passage twice at least and consider the questions below.

Scriptural Reflection
Genesis 31:1–21

(1) It is only natural to assume that while Jacob was tending Laban’s flock, Laban’s sons would also be shepherding their own as well as those of their father, being separated at a distance of a three-day journey from those of Jacob. So, what was their actual complaint?

(2) What might Laban’s former attitude be toward Jacob in spite of having changed his wages ten times? What was the reason for the change of attitude now?

(3) Why did God choose to give His “marching order” to Jacob at this time?

(4) Jacob now detailed how Laban cheated him (or changed his wages) in v. 8. How did he know that it was God’s intervention and not his own wisdom or schemes that had enabled him to prosper?

(5) How significant were the contents of the dream, in vv. 10-13 in which God gave the “marching order”?

(6) Instead of “father knows best”, here is the case of “daughters know best” about their father. What kind of a father was Laban?

(7) Why does the Bible say that Jacob “deceived” Laban by leaving and that he was basically “running away”? Was he obliged to notify him in advance? Would you (if you were Jacob)? (Note: The literal translation of “deceived” is “stole the heart of” according the Wenham, p. 274.)

(8) Why did Rachel steal her father’s household gods? What would she need them for?

(9) What is the main message to you today?

Meditative Reflection
Daughters Know Best

The stories in Genesis as told by Moses were not only conveying spiritual truths, but were told in a fashion that was most intriguing. The story of Jacob was no different.

As we read about how Jacob outwitted the manipulative Laban, we can’t help but punch our fist into the air with elation. The table had been turned on this master con man. But as Jacob contemplated fleeing from Laban with his fortune, we come across his consultation with his two wives. We can’t help but hold our breath and wonder what their answers might be.

While their consent was not a surprise, how they put it certainly was! Not only did they feel that they were foreigners in their father’s household, they felt that they had been used. Worse, they felt that they were being sold, like property!

Perhaps in retaliation, Rachel wanted to repay her father where it hurt! So she stole Laban’s household gods, which were probably small statues, small enough that she could sit on them.

I do not think that Rachel stole them for her own protection or worship, as the Bible does not see Rachel in that light. More likely is Rachel’s understanding of her father: Being a polytheist, he worshipped many gods and would lose his sense of security if he lost these statues which he used for divination. (Gen. 30:27)

Laban pursued Jacob and wanted them back, not because they were necessarily made of precious metal, but they represented his source of security. In their absence, and in fear of retaliation by Jacob for  his past wrongs, he sought to strike a covenant with Jacob. It was a most humble act as far as Laban was concerned. However, it would be most unlikely that in their absence and with his defeat in the hands of Jacob, Laban would learn to worship the God of Jacob whom he knew as the most powerful of all gods, though not necessarily as the only Creator God.

Day 5

Read slowly and reflectively the assigned passage twice at least and consider the questions below.

Scriptural Reflection
Genesis 31:22–42

(1) Why did Laban have to pursue Jacob apart from the retrieving of his household gods?

(2) How did God honor His promise that He will be with Jacob (v. 3)?

(3) What did Laban intend to do with Jacob once he caught up with him?

(4) Do you think Laban’s confrontation of Jacob was valid? Why or why not?

(5) Jacob was very honest with his answer which amounted to an accusation, because “to take away by force” can be translated as “to rob” (Wenham 262). But his answer inadvertently put Rachel’s life at risk. Do you think Laban would actually kill his own daughter?

(6) As much as Rachel acted wrongly, how had this incident (somehow protected by providence) given Jacob a chance to vindicate himself?

(7) In the description of his life under Laban, can we see what sort of training God had put Jacob through?

(8) What has Jacob learned about God throughout the last 20 years, especially when he now addresses God as the “Fear (or Dread) of Isaac”, a title only found here and in v. 53?

(9) What then is the essential message of today and how may you apply it in your life?

Meditative Reflection
In the School of Humble Pie

I was reflecting last week on God’s molding of His servant: Once He chooses his servant, He will not give up on him or her until His work of molding is complete and not so much that His mission is accomplished,

To say that Jacob had many rough edges would be an understatement. I am sure none of us would be willing to take the risk of using a person like Jacob in any significant role in God’s Kingdom, but that’s the difference between God and us. Not only is nothing impossible with Him, but His patience is beyond our imagination.

Like most of us, Jacob needed to eat humble pie as part of God’s molding process. But what a humble pie it was, as he described his life under Laban in Genesis 31:38-41.

It is generally believed he would have received the 20% share of the new born in his master’s herd as wages common to hired shepherds of his time. But it would not surprise me that Laban paid him far less than that, as Jacob basically had no bargaining power.

- Like laborers in a sweat shop, Jacob worked under the worst conditions; he was consumed by the heat by day and was frozen by the cold at night.

- He worked long hours to the point that “sleep fled from my eyes".

- He was made to compensate for all losses, even though it might not be his fault, and so he said of those torn by wild beasts, “I bore the loss myself”;

- He had to pay for all things stolen under his care.

- And he worked like a slave for a good 20 years!

This was a far cry from his pampered life, being the favorite son of his mother. The one who used to have smooth skin, fine finger nails and was dressed like a prince, had turned into an outdoor man, exactly like the brother he tricked and pretended to be—with thick and rough skin.

God really had a way of teaching Jacob who paid a hefty price for his follies. But God always disciplines out of love, and the result of these 20 long years resulted in Jacob knowing and calling God as the “Fear of Isaac”. As flawed as Isaac was, there was one thing Jacob saw in him — his tremendous fear of God. Jacob, in his long humbling process has come to learn to fear God, as Isaac did!

Day 6

Read slowly and reflectively the assigned passage twice at least and consider the questions below.

Scriptural Reflection
Genesis 31:43–55

(1) In Laban’s answer to Jacob in v. 43, can you tell who Jacob was in his eyes?

(2) What kind of a person was Laban?

(3) In letting Jacob leave, why did Laban see the need to make a covenant with Jacob?

(4) Do you think he really cared about his daughters? Who had been mistreating his daughters?

(5) What might be the significance for Jacob re-naming the heap of witness in his own language?

(6) Concerning the making of this covenant,consider these questions:

a. How many gods did Laban invoke?

b. What about Jacob?

c. What does the difference show?

(Note: The verb, judge, in v. 53 used by Laban was in the plural!)

(7) What status is now accorded Jacob because of the covenant?

(8) Now, Jacob’s 20 years of slavery ended. What had Jacob learned from these 20 years?

(9) What might the most important lesson we can learn from the life of Jacob be so far?

(10) What is the main message to you today and how can you apply it to your life?

Meditative Reflection
Looking out for Number One

As much as Jacob was known for his grasping, even from birth, holding onto the heel of his brother, trying to beat him to see the daylight first, he was no match for Laban when it came to self-centeredness.

Knowing that he could not touch Jacob (as warned by God in a dream), Laban, in conceding his defeat, cried like a baby when he said, “The women are my daughters, the children are my children, and the flocks are my flocks. All you see is mine. Yet what can I do...?” (Gen. 31:43).

This was how self-centered Laban was. This was also how arrogant he was.

The daughters were no longer his legally, 20 and 14 years ago respectively. He sold them as wages to Jacob. That’s what his daughters considered.

If the daughters were no longer his, how could he claim that the grandchildren were his!

And the flocks? He must be kidding when he said the flocks were his too! Not only did he renege on letting Jacob have the first batch of male goats that were streaked or spotted and the speckled or spotted female goats (Gen. 30:35), he kept changing the rules (31:8). But God intervened so that Jacob legally increased his possession of livestock in spite of his tricks. None of these flocks could Laban claim to be his!

But he dared to suggest that all Jacob saw was his, including servants, donkeys and camels.

If that were true, he could legally reclaim them all, but he knew that was not true!

Laban reminds me of those who would remain unrepentant even at death. It is not because they have not encountered the works of God in their lives, especially adversities that aim to awaken their souls. But their determination to live only for themselves is so stubborn that, they keep on spurning God-given opportunities to humble themselves and repent. In many ways, Laban was not unlike Pharaoh who probably said in his heart that all the Israelites who fled from Egypt were his, including all their children and possessions!

Day 7

Read slowly and reflectively the assigned passage twice at least and consider the questions below.

Scriptural Reflection
Genesis 32:1–21

(1) After Jacob had seen how God intervened to save him and his family from the hands of Laban, he now headed south back to his homeland, to face his greatest fear, the brother from whom he fled. Why did God send His angels to meet him at Mahanaim? What might be its significance (instead of God’s personal appearance)? Might it have anything to do with God’s first appearance to him in his dream of the heavenly ladder?

(2) Why did Jacob see the need to send messengers ahead of him? How did he address his brother and why?

(3) If Esau did not mean to seek revenge and harm Jacob, why then would he bring 400 men with him? Did he think Jacob was trustworthy?

(4) How did Jacob interpret his brother’s action and why?

(5) Apart from the natural act of self-preservation, what did Jacob do?

(6) Try to analyze Jacob’s prayer:

a. How did he address God and why, in v. 9?

b. What did he remind God of and why?

c. How will you label what he said in v. 10?

d. How did he address himself in v. 10?

e. What was the main content of his plea in v. 11?

f. How did he end his prayer and why?

(7) Now, after his prayer, what did he do in preparation for meeting his brother?

(8) Do you think his preparation is a sign that he still trusted in himself? Why or why not?

(9) What would you have done if you were Jacob?

(10) What is the main message to you today and how can you apply it to your life?

Meditative Reflection
Letting Go

Honestly, I am quite impressed with the list of gifts that Jacob prepared for his brother:

“200 female goats and 20 male goats, 200 ewes and 20 rams, 30 female camels with their young, 50 cows and 10 bulls and 20 females donkeys and 10 donkeys.”

You have to agree with me that the list is very impressive. It obviously speaks to the great wealth that Jacob now had. This list would represent a very small fraction of what he had. But we are talking about Jacob, the manipulator, the one who grasped everything. For him to let go of this small fortune must not have been easy. Sure, it was out of fear — fear for not only his life, but that of his wives and children. Just the same, it was his first major lesson of letting go — letting go of things that he wanted so much that he would cheat his brother of his birthright. He had come a long way.

But more than that, he had learned to let go of his pride. A sibling that he had fought for some 40 years over basically everything, and now he called him, “my master”, “my lord”, and called himself “your servant” over and over again. He had learned humility too.

If I were Esau, would I believe Jacob? Would I believe that this Jacob had changed? Would you?

Perhaps, the bringing of 400 hundred men was not meant to kill Jacob, but to protect himself, just in case!