Grace (Genesis 31)

Genesis 31 is a very "messy" chapter. If you ever wanted proof that the heroes of the Bible weren't perfect, there is plenty of that proof here. Jacob deceives Laban. Rachel steals his idols and lies about it. Genesis 31 does very little to convince me that I would want to spend any time with Jacob or his family. In some ways, the chapter sounds more like a modern day reality TV show than a passage of Scripture.

One might despair for encouraging truths in this chapter but I do see at least one. Genesis 31 certainly teaches that God watches over those who belong to Him. This idea is found most clearly in verse 42. There, Jacob says that if God had not been with him, Laban would have robbed him blind. He would have worked twenty years like a slave with no reward. But, of course, that didn't happen. Up to very last minute (verse 24), God was working to protect and to bless Jacob.

If we were in God's shoes, Jacob might seem like one man we wouldn't care to protect that much. His life is certainly full of "moral challenges." We might think let him take his lumps and learn his lessons. And certainly God does allow some of that (see yesterday's post about Jacob's first wedding). But in the end, God will not allow Jacob to suffer injustice. He works for the good of Jacob because Jacob was chosen by grace not merit.

I guess there times when I wonder why God doesn't say "Enough!" to me. I wonder why He puts up with me as long as He does still pouring out His blessing into my life. But then I remember that I am chosen by grace not merit. And being chosen by grace through the work of Jesus, God blesses and protects even when I don't deserve it.