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Youth Worship 9 April 2022 : "God had come to Laban in a dream by night” Live-streaming has started

Text: Genesis 31:17-30
9 April 2022

YOUTH WORSHIP SERVICE 9 April 2022

Scripture Text: Genesis 31:17-30

Message: “God had come to Laban in a dream by night” Genesis 31:24

INTRODUCTION

1. The Time had come to leave Laban

2. The family of Jacob had agreed that leaving Laban was the wisest thing to do

a) There was growing hostility
b) There could be a nasty confrontation between Laban and Jacob

A HASTY DEPARTURE

1. Jacob and his family

a) He had four wives
b) He had 12 children

2. He put all of them on camels Genesis 31:17

3. He took away all that was his

a) His livestock
b) All his possessions
c) His livestock acquired in Padan Aram Genesis 31:18

4. His destination

a) The home of his father Isaac
b) Canaan

5. Jacob departed stealthily

a) He did not inform Laban
b) He departed when Laban was elsewhere
(sheep-shearing) Genesis 31:19
c) Sheep-shearing is always an extra busy time

6. He wanted to be as far away as possible in the fastest possible time

a) He crossed a river
b) Heading towards the mountains of Gilead Genesis 31:21

RACHEL’S THEFT

1. Rachel had stolen her father’s idols Genesis 31:19

2. Understanding why Rachel stole the idols:

a) Idols were worshipped
b) Household idols of Laban
i) This represented his faith
ii) He and his family had become idolatrous
c. Rachel may have felt “safer” if the idols were brought along
i) He father would be deprived
ii) She would have “gained some extra protection”
d. Rachel’s faith was not so great!

LABAN’S PURSUIT

1. He was informed three days later
that Jacob and his family had fled Genesis 31:22

2. He gathered all his brethren

a) His sons
b) Other clan relatives
c) Perhaps even workers
d) It took him 7 days to locate Jacob Genesis 31:23

GOD TO THE RESCUE

1. He came to Laban in a dream Genesis 31:24

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

a) God knew Laban very well
b) The word of warning
“Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad.”
Genesis 31:24
i) Be careful (Be warned)
ii) Neither good nor bad
c) Meaning:
i) God knew that Laban was crafty and cunning
ii) He had taken advantage of Jacob 10 times and counting
iii) Jacob was no match for the cunningness of Laban

2. The Intended Impact

a) God was on the side of Jacob
b) If Laban tried to fool Jacob, God would deal with him
c) Laban would certainly be terrified of such a veiled threat

LABAN OVERTAKES JACOB

25 So Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mountains, and Laban with his brethren pitched in the mountains of Gilead.
26 And Laban said to Jacob: “What have you done, that you have stolen away unknown to me, and carried away my daughters like captives taken with the sword? 27 Why did you flee away secretly, and steal away from me, and not tell me; for I might have sent you away with joy and songs, with timbrel and harp? 28 And you did not allow me to kiss my sons and my daughters. Now you have done foolishly in so doing. 29 It is in my power to do you harm, but the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, ‘Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad.’ 30 And now you have surely gone because you greatly long for your father’s house, but why did you steal my gods?”

Genesis 31:25-30

1. Laban reprimands Jacob

a) For leaving without informing him
b) For taking away his daughters as if they were captives Genesis 31:26

2. Laban could have

a) Given them a farewell party Genesis 31:27
b) He did not get a chance to kiss
his sons (grandsons) goodbye Genesis 31:28

3. Laban could have exercised his power

a) Clan power (authority)
b) He could have caused Jacob to be harmed Genesis 31:29a

4. God’s warning remembered Genesis 31:29b

5. Challenging Jacob

a) He cannot prevent him from returning to see Isaac, his father
b) But why had he stolen his idols? Genesis 31:30

CONCLUSION

1. Conflict and Confusion reigned

a) Jacob feared for his life
b) Rachel desired her father’s idols

2. God’s Presence

a) He had promised Jacob His protection
b) He was keeping His word

3. Our Challenge

a) To have a clear faith in God
b) To have a strong faith in Him
c) To not be overwhelmed by conflict and confusion