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Daily Devotions

Genesis

Genesis 
Day 
Day 240

"He permitted no one to do them wrong; Yes, He rebuked kings for their sakes, Saying, 'Do not touch my anointed ones, and do My prophets no harm.'" Psalm 105:14-15

Text: Genesis 31:1-55

IN HOT PURSUIT

When Laban was finally told that Jacob had fled Padan Aram, three days had already lapsed. Without hesitation, he gathered a band of his men and pursued Jacob.

“And Laban was told on the third day that Jacob had fled. Then
he took his brethren with him and pursued him for seven days’
journey, and he overtook him in the mountains of Gilead.”
GENESIS 31:22-23

The Scriptures have no need to describe why he pursued Jacob relentlessly for three days! Laban was already a grandfather and yet he led his men on a hard journey and even managed to overtake them in the mountains of Gilead.


GOD’S TIMELY INTERVENTION

God’s personal intervention makes an even more significant statement than a mere description of Laban’s reasons to pursue his son-in-law, Jacob.

“But God had come to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said to him, ‘Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad.'”
Genesis 31:24

Divine intervention was the Lord’s way of keeping His word to Jacob. He had offered His protection and He had kept him all this while. And now when it was even more important, God stepped in to warn Laban concerning Jacob. He had a strange word to say to him.

1. “Be careful…”

First, there was that word of warning. Laban had better be careful about what he said to Jacob. He had deceived him time and again through words! God warned Laban that He was listening in. If he said anything insincere, or if he attempted to deceive him, then he must bear the consequences! God would be there as witness against him!

2. “You speak to Jacob neither good nor bad”

The idea was that Laban was not to attempt to persuade Jacob to return to Padan Aram. He may not make any tempting offer to Jacob. He certainly may not say anything bad against him.

If God were to judge him for all his misdeeds, Laban would be a dead man by now. The Lord would show him more mercy, but he must not attempt to take advantage of Jacob.

A subdued Laban had to be content to pitch his tent away from the encampment of Jacob, even though he was within striking distance. If nothing else, if no one else, Laban was afraid of offending the God of Jacob who had spoken to him in a dream!