WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.379 Come and read this morning Genesis 31. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:43.620 So it's Genesis chapter 31 verse 17. 00:00:45.299 --> 00:00:51.379 Then Jacob put his children and his wives on camels, and he drove all his livestock ahead of him, 00:00:52.179 --> 00:00:56.519 along with all the goods he had accumulated in Paddan Haram. 00:00:56.520 --> 00:01:01.020 To go to his father Isaac in the land of Canaan. 00:01:02.100 --> 00:01:07.659 When Laban had gone to shear his sheep, Rachel stole her father's household gods. 00:01:09.540 --> 00:01:15.120 Moreover, Jacob deceived Laban the Aramean by not telling him he was running away. 00:01:16.040 --> 00:01:23.260 So he fled with all he had, crossed the river Euphrates, and headed for the hill country of Gilead. 00:01:23.260 --> 00:01:28.219 On the third day, Laban was told that Jacob had fled. 00:01:29.120 --> 00:01:37.060 Taking his relatives with him, he pursued Jacob for seven days, and caught up with him in the hill country of Gilead. 00:01:38.080 --> 00:01:43.580 Then God came to Laban, the Aramean, in a dream at night, and said to him, 00:01:43.760 --> 00:01:48.340 Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad. 00:01:48.340 --> 00:01:54.840 Jacob had pitched his tent in the hill country of Gilead, when Laban overtook him. 00:01:55.700 --> 00:01:58.380 And Laban and his relatives camped there too. 00:01:59.620 --> 00:02:01.359 Then Laban said to Jacob, 00:02:01.359 --> 00:02:03.019 What have you done? 00:02:03.019 --> 00:02:07.640 You've deceived me, and you've carried off my daughters like captives in war. 00:02:08.439 --> 00:02:11.400 Why did you run off secretly and deceive me? 00:02:12.060 --> 00:02:19.120 Why didn't you tell me so that I could send you away with joy and singing to the music of tambourines and harps? 00:02:19.120 --> 00:02:23.920 You didn't even let me kiss my grandchildren and my daughters goodbye. 00:02:24.659 --> 00:02:26.240 You have done a foolish thing. 00:02:26.939 --> 00:02:28.680 I have the power to harm you. 00:02:29.060 --> 00:02:33.080 But last night, the God of your father said to me, 00:02:33.700 --> 00:02:37.300 Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad. 00:02:38.400 --> 00:02:42.780 Now you have gone off, because you longed to return to your father's household. 00:02:43.520 --> 00:02:45.700 But why did you steal my gods? 00:02:45.699 --> 00:02:48.000 Jacob answered Laban, 00:02:48.379 --> 00:02:53.139 I was afraid, because I thought you would take your daughters away from me by force. 00:02:54.239 --> 00:02:58.979 But if you find anyone who has your gods, that person shall not live. 00:02:59.699 --> 00:03:06.219 In the presence of our relatives, see for yourself whether there is anything of yours here with me. 00:03:06.839 --> 00:03:08.579 And if so, take it. 00:03:09.539 --> 00:03:12.780 Now Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the gods. 00:03:15.699 --> 00:03:22.879 Thank you, Sarah. 00:03:24.780 --> 00:03:26.799 Please follow along in your Bibles. 00:03:26.959 --> 00:03:32.839 We're going to be starting in chapter 30, verse 25 in a minute, 00:03:33.000 --> 00:03:35.719 just so you can have it prepared and open. 00:03:35.719 --> 00:03:40.840 Just as a reminder, all the talks are recorded. 00:03:42.080 --> 00:03:43.560 Normally I'm thanking Ralph. 00:03:43.639 --> 00:03:45.360 It's actually Christopher who does that. 00:03:45.439 --> 00:03:49.699 So thank you, Chris, for putting everything online for us week by week. 00:03:49.780 --> 00:03:50.819 We appreciate it. 00:03:52.659 --> 00:03:58.240 So you can catch up on any of the talks that you've missed as we look at the life of Jacob. 00:03:58.240 --> 00:04:02.020 We're going to pray and ask for God's help to us now. 00:04:02.120 --> 00:04:02.900 So let's pray. 00:04:02.900 --> 00:04:20.920 Father, in all of life, we need your help. 00:04:20.920 --> 00:04:29.140 And we thank you that you are a good, faithful and generous God who gives to us as we need. 00:04:30.819 --> 00:04:33.720 And so our need is for your Holy Spirit. 00:04:35.180 --> 00:04:42.300 For you to be present working in our lives individually and together as a church family. 00:04:42.300 --> 00:04:47.819 That you will bring reassurance to us today. 00:04:48.939 --> 00:04:55.319 That you will bring words of comfort and rich encouragement. 00:04:56.939 --> 00:05:01.480 As we walk our journey and our life with you. 00:05:03.620 --> 00:05:05.639 So please help us. 00:05:05.639 --> 00:05:14.079 Amen. 00:05:18.079 --> 00:05:21.180 Well, Jacob wants to go home. 00:05:21.839 --> 00:05:24.039 Look at chapter 30, verse 25. 00:05:25.039 --> 00:05:27.699 After Rachel gave birth to Joseph, 00:05:28.879 --> 00:05:30.099 Jacob said to Laban, 00:05:30.099 --> 00:05:35.339 Send me on my way so that I can go back to my own homeland. 00:05:36.000 --> 00:05:39.759 14 years ago, Jacob had to leave his home in a hurry. 00:05:40.539 --> 00:05:44.659 Having deceived his father Isaac and cheated on his brother Esau, 00:05:45.199 --> 00:05:47.139 he was running for his life. 00:05:48.360 --> 00:05:52.899 Now all these years later, with two wives, 11 sons and one daughter, 00:05:53.699 --> 00:05:55.639 he wants to go home. 00:05:57.199 --> 00:06:01.719 Of course, this is much more than a longing for just some of mum's homebake 00:06:01.719 --> 00:06:03.959 or a catch up with old friends. 00:06:03.959 --> 00:06:12.439 This is a story, a true story about God getting Jacob home to the promised land. 00:06:13.519 --> 00:06:19.379 Because God's plan is always to have God's people in God's place, 00:06:20.319 --> 00:06:22.359 enjoying God's presence. 00:06:22.360 --> 00:06:25.280 But there's a problem. 00:06:26.120 --> 00:06:27.860 There's always a problem, isn't there? 00:06:28.420 --> 00:06:32.699 Laban, his uncle, doesn't want to let Jacob go. 00:06:33.379 --> 00:06:34.460 Verse 27. 00:06:35.360 --> 00:06:36.500 Laban said to him, 00:06:36.580 --> 00:06:39.040 If I found favour in your eyes, please stay. 00:06:39.520 --> 00:06:42.000 I mean, look at all that you have here, Jacob. 00:06:42.120 --> 00:06:43.460 Please stay with me. 00:06:45.020 --> 00:06:46.540 Well, Jacob refuses. 00:06:46.540 --> 00:06:48.280 He wants to go home. 00:06:49.000 --> 00:06:53.200 So Laban takes out his wallet and flashes the cash. 00:06:53.420 --> 00:06:54.160 Verse 31. 00:06:54.760 --> 00:06:56.620 What shall I give you? 00:06:56.680 --> 00:06:57.160 He asked. 00:06:57.300 --> 00:06:59.939 You name your price, whatever it is. 00:07:00.280 --> 00:07:02.840 I'll give it to you just so you can stay. 00:07:04.900 --> 00:07:06.780 Well, look at Jacob's response. 00:07:07.220 --> 00:07:07.939 Verse 31. 00:07:07.939 --> 00:07:11.300 Don't give me anything, Jacob replied. 00:07:12.079 --> 00:07:14.819 But if you will do this one thing for me, 00:07:15.219 --> 00:07:18.680 I will go on tending your flocks and watching over them. 00:07:19.000 --> 00:07:21.759 Let me go through all your flocks today 00:07:21.759 --> 00:07:25.279 and remove from them every speckled or spotted sheep, 00:07:25.579 --> 00:07:28.720 every dark-coloured lamb and every spotted or speckled goat. 00:07:29.680 --> 00:07:32.959 They will be my wages. 00:07:32.959 --> 00:07:38.459 Well, it seems old Jacob has got distracted again 00:07:38.459 --> 00:07:42.299 with the idea of gaining a little bit more economic security. 00:07:43.159 --> 00:07:46.599 His heart has been turned once again. 00:07:47.620 --> 00:07:50.259 The two things that Jacob was attracted to 00:07:50.259 --> 00:07:52.159 when he first arrived to his uncle 00:07:52.159 --> 00:07:55.839 was Rachel and all the flocks she was tending. 00:07:56.240 --> 00:07:57.979 Now, all these years later, 00:07:57.979 --> 00:08:02.060 he has Rachel and now he has the flocks. 00:08:02.959 --> 00:08:05.500 But it comes at a cost, doesn't it? 00:08:05.539 --> 00:08:07.339 Because this deal with Laban 00:08:07.339 --> 00:08:12.259 turns out to be another six long years. 00:08:13.680 --> 00:08:17.139 It seems Jacob's wandering heart means 00:08:17.139 --> 00:08:20.740 he's never going to get to the promised land. 00:08:21.060 --> 00:08:24.219 He's always distracted with something else. 00:08:26.620 --> 00:08:28.399 He's a bit like us. 00:08:29.279 --> 00:08:30.979 We have wandering hearts 00:08:30.980 --> 00:08:35.720 and we get distracted with all that God has for us 00:08:35.720 --> 00:08:39.320 and we're so focused on the here and now. 00:08:40.840 --> 00:08:44.420 But when does God ever fail to deliver on his promises? 00:08:45.420 --> 00:08:46.840 Well, the truth is, 00:08:47.560 --> 00:08:48.899 in the midst of it all, 00:08:49.460 --> 00:08:53.560 God will ensure that Jacob gets home. 00:08:53.559 --> 00:08:57.519 And as we follow along with Jacob in his journey, 00:08:57.939 --> 00:09:01.819 we'll see that God gives to his people reassurances. 00:09:02.319 --> 00:09:04.839 God reminds us that he is faithful 00:09:04.839 --> 00:09:09.039 and God will always bring his people home. 00:09:09.639 --> 00:09:12.699 Home not to where we were born or where we grew up, 00:09:12.979 --> 00:09:15.839 but home to that ultimate land, 00:09:16.239 --> 00:09:18.839 heaven itself, the new creation. 00:09:18.840 --> 00:09:22.399 And despite all our wanderings 00:09:22.399 --> 00:09:24.300 and all of our distractions, 00:09:25.120 --> 00:09:28.340 God will get you home. 00:09:30.200 --> 00:09:32.980 So we're going to see four assurances 00:09:32.980 --> 00:09:35.519 that God gives to his people 00:09:35.519 --> 00:09:38.620 as we journey with him. 00:09:38.620 --> 00:09:41.519 Very simple. 00:09:42.460 --> 00:09:43.039 Number one, 00:09:43.179 --> 00:09:46.299 God's presence in our doubts. 00:09:47.419 --> 00:09:49.539 Let's turn to chapter 31. 00:09:51.899 --> 00:09:52.980 Verse 2. 00:09:54.480 --> 00:09:57.879 Jacob noticed that Laban's attitude towards him 00:09:57.879 --> 00:09:59.419 was not what it had been. 00:09:59.580 --> 00:10:02.360 There's become this tension between them. 00:10:02.960 --> 00:10:03.379 Verse 3. 00:10:03.379 --> 00:10:04.899 The Lord said to Jacob, 00:10:05.539 --> 00:10:07.799 Go back to the land of your fathers 00:10:07.799 --> 00:10:09.799 and to your relatives. 00:10:11.139 --> 00:10:13.820 Go back to the promised land. 00:10:15.100 --> 00:10:18.000 Now notice that this command comes with a promise. 00:10:18.159 --> 00:10:19.399 Look at the end of verse 3. 00:10:20.360 --> 00:10:23.039 And I will be with you. 00:10:24.019 --> 00:10:26.320 God has been with Jacob all along, 00:10:26.460 --> 00:10:29.059 but Jacob needs that reassurance 00:10:29.059 --> 00:10:31.159 to hear God say to him, 00:10:31.159 --> 00:10:34.159 Jacob, I'm with you. 00:10:34.779 --> 00:10:38.579 Everything you need will be found in me. 00:10:39.259 --> 00:10:40.639 And this call of God 00:10:40.639 --> 00:10:42.279 to go back to the promised land 00:10:42.279 --> 00:10:44.439 includes his whole family. 00:10:44.699 --> 00:10:47.740 So Jacob gets Rachel and Leah together 00:10:47.740 --> 00:10:48.919 for a family chat 00:10:48.919 --> 00:10:50.459 and he tells them 00:10:50.459 --> 00:10:53.179 what God revealed to him in a dream. 00:10:53.899 --> 00:10:56.240 So what we have in verse 3 00:10:56.240 --> 00:10:59.159 is now repeated in verse 13. 00:10:59.159 --> 00:11:01.240 Have a look at verse 13. 00:11:01.799 --> 00:11:04.259 As Jacob recalls 00:11:04.259 --> 00:11:06.579 all that God had said to him. 00:11:07.519 --> 00:11:08.699 Verse 13. 00:11:09.740 --> 00:11:10.899 God said to Jacob, 00:11:11.059 --> 00:11:12.799 I am the God of Bethel 00:11:12.799 --> 00:11:15.339 where you anointed a pillar 00:11:15.339 --> 00:11:17.899 and where you made a vow to me. 00:11:18.339 --> 00:11:20.600 Now leave this land at once 00:11:20.600 --> 00:11:23.860 and go back to your native land. 00:11:25.159 --> 00:11:26.279 Remember, Jacob, 00:11:26.279 --> 00:11:28.019 I want you to think back 00:11:28.019 --> 00:11:29.399 to when you were on the run 00:11:29.399 --> 00:11:30.240 from your brother. 00:11:30.779 --> 00:11:32.480 Remember how I came to you, 00:11:32.579 --> 00:11:34.220 how I intervened in your life. 00:11:34.679 --> 00:11:36.679 Do you remember Bethel, Jacob? 00:11:37.659 --> 00:11:39.539 Do you remember what I said to you then? 00:11:41.100 --> 00:11:43.019 Well, in case we can't remember, 00:11:43.699 --> 00:11:45.899 let's go back to chapter 28, 00:11:47.259 --> 00:11:48.819 verse 15. 00:11:48.820 --> 00:11:54.360 This is when Jacob was running 00:11:54.360 --> 00:11:55.260 from his brother 00:11:55.260 --> 00:11:57.000 and God comes to him. 00:11:57.620 --> 00:11:59.879 Chapter 28, verse 15. 00:12:01.080 --> 00:12:02.879 And listen to what God says. 00:12:02.879 --> 00:12:06.980 I am with you 00:12:06.980 --> 00:12:09.039 and will watch over you 00:12:09.039 --> 00:12:10.139 wherever you go 00:12:10.139 --> 00:12:13.279 and I will bring you back 00:12:13.279 --> 00:12:14.259 to this land. 00:12:15.179 --> 00:12:17.059 I will not leave you 00:12:17.059 --> 00:12:18.759 until I have done 00:12:18.759 --> 00:12:20.779 what I have promised you. 00:12:22.120 --> 00:12:24.179 When Jacob awoke from his sleep, 00:12:24.240 --> 00:12:24.620 he thought, 00:12:24.879 --> 00:12:27.139 surely the Lord is in this place. 00:12:27.139 --> 00:12:30.120 And I was not aware of it. 00:12:31.939 --> 00:12:34.100 That's my promise, Jacob. 00:12:35.179 --> 00:12:37.179 I'm going to get you home 00:12:37.179 --> 00:12:39.399 no matter where you may go 00:12:39.399 --> 00:12:41.120 or no matter what will happen 00:12:41.120 --> 00:12:41.939 in your life. 00:12:42.279 --> 00:12:43.960 I am going to be with you 00:12:43.960 --> 00:12:46.139 and I'm not going to leave you 00:12:46.139 --> 00:12:48.580 until I get you back 00:12:48.580 --> 00:12:50.319 to the promised land. 00:12:52.559 --> 00:12:54.960 Let's go back to chapter 31. 00:12:54.960 --> 00:12:57.960 Verse 17. 00:12:59.160 --> 00:13:01.200 So with God's clear command 00:13:01.200 --> 00:13:03.460 and God's reassuring promise, 00:13:04.320 --> 00:13:06.040 Jacob now gets ready 00:13:06.040 --> 00:13:08.040 to return home. 00:13:08.680 --> 00:13:09.620 Verse 17. 00:13:09.780 --> 00:13:10.980 Jacob put his children 00:13:10.980 --> 00:13:13.139 and his wives on camels 00:13:13.139 --> 00:13:14.780 and he drove all his livestock 00:13:14.780 --> 00:13:15.600 ahead of him 00:13:15.600 --> 00:13:17.200 along with all the goods 00:13:17.200 --> 00:13:18.240 he had accumulated 00:13:18.240 --> 00:13:19.500 in Padam Aram 00:13:19.500 --> 00:13:21.980 to go to his father Isaac 00:13:21.980 --> 00:13:23.900 in the land of Canaan. 00:13:23.899 --> 00:13:26.759 The promised land. 00:13:28.179 --> 00:13:30.459 Now isn't that the kind of word 00:13:30.459 --> 00:13:32.519 we all need to hear? 00:13:33.539 --> 00:13:35.659 The God who calls you 00:13:35.659 --> 00:13:38.319 into a relationship with you 00:13:38.319 --> 00:13:41.279 is the God who will be with you. 00:13:41.399 --> 00:13:42.779 He doesn't do things 00:13:42.779 --> 00:13:44.120 in half measure. 00:13:45.000 --> 00:13:46.199 If he calls you, 00:13:46.699 --> 00:13:47.679 he'll keep you 00:13:47.679 --> 00:13:49.460 and he'll bring you home. 00:13:49.460 --> 00:13:53.139 Like the writer of Psalm 139 00:13:53.139 --> 00:13:53.980 we can say, 00:13:54.620 --> 00:13:55.639 where can I go 00:13:55.639 --> 00:13:56.580 from your spirit? 00:13:57.120 --> 00:13:58.379 Where can I flee 00:13:58.379 --> 00:13:59.340 from your presence? 00:13:59.660 --> 00:14:01.080 If I go up to the heavens, 00:14:01.300 --> 00:14:01.759 you're there. 00:14:01.960 --> 00:14:03.220 If I make my bed 00:14:03.220 --> 00:14:03.840 in the depths, 00:14:03.940 --> 00:14:04.440 you are there. 00:14:04.740 --> 00:14:06.120 If I rise on the wings 00:14:06.120 --> 00:14:06.879 of the dawn, 00:14:06.980 --> 00:14:07.660 if I settle 00:14:07.660 --> 00:14:08.639 on the far side 00:14:08.639 --> 00:14:09.220 of the sea, 00:14:09.680 --> 00:14:10.800 even there 00:14:10.800 --> 00:14:11.900 your hand 00:14:11.900 --> 00:14:12.920 will guide me 00:14:12.920 --> 00:14:14.840 and your hand 00:14:14.840 --> 00:14:17.399 will hold me fast. 00:14:20.040 --> 00:14:21.780 Isn't that what we need to know 00:14:21.780 --> 00:14:23.200 in the midst of our trials 00:14:23.200 --> 00:14:24.060 and struggles? 00:14:25.120 --> 00:14:26.700 That we are in the hand 00:14:26.700 --> 00:14:28.660 of one who holds us fast. 00:14:29.300 --> 00:14:30.840 He calls us 00:14:30.840 --> 00:14:32.840 and he'll bring us home. 00:14:32.840 --> 00:14:35.740 But sometimes 00:14:35.740 --> 00:14:36.740 it seems 00:14:36.740 --> 00:14:38.220 that God's presence 00:14:38.220 --> 00:14:40.120 is not enough. 00:14:41.280 --> 00:14:41.680 Oh yeah, 00:14:41.780 --> 00:14:42.800 God is with me 00:14:42.800 --> 00:14:43.160 but 00:14:43.160 --> 00:14:45.379 I need, 00:14:45.879 --> 00:14:46.340 well, 00:14:46.780 --> 00:14:48.320 as in the case of Rachel, 00:14:48.560 --> 00:14:49.780 look at verse 19, 00:14:50.840 --> 00:14:51.660 when Laban, 00:14:51.800 --> 00:14:52.320 her uncle, 00:14:52.399 --> 00:14:53.780 had gone to shear his sheep 00:14:53.780 --> 00:14:54.660 so this was kind of 00:14:54.660 --> 00:14:56.000 a big exercise 00:14:56.000 --> 00:14:56.900 that could take up 00:14:56.900 --> 00:14:58.259 to three days 00:14:58.259 --> 00:14:59.620 to shear all their sheep 00:14:59.620 --> 00:15:00.639 and he's gone off 00:15:00.639 --> 00:15:01.220 with the men. 00:15:01.220 --> 00:15:03.100 Rachel stole 00:15:03.100 --> 00:15:04.080 her father's 00:15:04.080 --> 00:15:05.519 household gods. 00:15:07.300 --> 00:15:08.340 Now an idol 00:15:08.340 --> 00:15:09.379 is anything 00:15:09.379 --> 00:15:10.740 we can put in place 00:15:10.740 --> 00:15:11.279 of God. 00:15:11.840 --> 00:15:12.899 It could be a person, 00:15:13.060 --> 00:15:13.540 a hobby, 00:15:13.700 --> 00:15:14.399 a desire, 00:15:15.060 --> 00:15:16.540 someone or something 00:15:16.540 --> 00:15:17.639 that we feel 00:15:17.639 --> 00:15:19.360 we must have 00:15:19.360 --> 00:15:21.019 and we dare not 00:15:21.019 --> 00:15:21.820 let go of 00:15:21.820 --> 00:15:23.160 just to get us 00:15:23.160 --> 00:15:23.920 through life. 00:15:25.120 --> 00:15:25.960 For Rachel, 00:15:26.200 --> 00:15:27.879 it was the family gods 00:15:27.879 --> 00:15:29.600 so she steals them away. 00:15:30.080 --> 00:15:30.960 Maybe they're going 00:15:30.960 --> 00:15:31.300 to help 00:15:31.300 --> 00:15:32.639 because who knows, 00:15:32.980 --> 00:15:34.580 maybe God will go AWOL 00:15:34.580 --> 00:15:35.519 and he'll leave us 00:15:35.519 --> 00:15:36.720 and we'll be on our own. 00:15:36.860 --> 00:15:38.620 We need a backup plan. 00:15:40.740 --> 00:15:41.220 Well, 00:15:41.300 --> 00:15:42.860 Rachel may have her reasons 00:15:42.860 --> 00:15:45.139 but in reality, 00:15:45.400 --> 00:15:46.700 Rachel was doubting 00:15:46.700 --> 00:15:48.220 God's presence. 00:15:49.519 --> 00:15:51.660 God plus my idols 00:15:51.660 --> 00:15:54.220 and I will be sufficient. 00:15:55.580 --> 00:15:57.200 God plus my 00:15:57.200 --> 00:15:59.780 and you fill in the bank 00:15:59.780 --> 00:16:02.820 and I will be secure. 00:16:03.920 --> 00:16:04.820 What is it 00:16:04.820 --> 00:16:05.860 that in our lives 00:16:05.860 --> 00:16:06.660 we are so 00:16:06.660 --> 00:16:07.759 desperately 00:16:07.759 --> 00:16:09.040 hanging on to? 00:16:09.920 --> 00:16:10.740 What is it 00:16:10.740 --> 00:16:11.500 that we want 00:16:11.500 --> 00:16:12.420 that we will never 00:16:12.420 --> 00:16:13.300 let go of 00:16:13.300 --> 00:16:14.940 because we fear 00:16:14.940 --> 00:16:15.480 somehow 00:16:15.480 --> 00:16:16.440 God is going 00:16:16.440 --> 00:16:17.200 to let go? 00:16:18.840 --> 00:16:19.379 Well, 00:16:19.420 --> 00:16:20.060 whatever we're 00:16:20.060 --> 00:16:21.080 hanging on to, 00:16:21.400 --> 00:16:22.259 in reality, 00:16:22.820 --> 00:16:23.660 we're doubting 00:16:23.659 --> 00:16:25.139 God's presence. 00:16:26.399 --> 00:16:26.939 It's saying, 00:16:27.079 --> 00:16:28.179 I don't trust you, 00:16:28.319 --> 00:16:28.639 God. 00:16:28.939 --> 00:16:30.360 You might leave me. 00:16:31.699 --> 00:16:32.039 Well, 00:16:32.120 --> 00:16:33.519 hear the reassurance 00:16:33.519 --> 00:16:34.439 today. 00:16:35.000 --> 00:16:36.219 I am with you, 00:16:36.279 --> 00:16:36.919 says God. 00:16:37.120 --> 00:16:38.839 I will not leave you. 00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:40.419 I am enough for you. 00:16:40.679 --> 00:16:42.259 I am sufficient for you. 00:16:42.600 --> 00:16:43.860 Everything you need 00:16:43.860 --> 00:16:44.919 is found in me. 00:16:44.919 --> 00:16:45.919 My presence 00:16:46.439 --> 00:16:47.839 goes with you. 00:16:47.840 --> 00:16:50.980 So first, 00:16:51.139 --> 00:16:52.300 God's presence 00:16:52.300 --> 00:16:54.060 in our doubts. 00:16:55.740 --> 00:16:56.540 Second, 00:16:57.320 --> 00:16:59.899 we have God's protection 00:16:59.899 --> 00:17:02.680 in our opposition. 00:17:03.180 --> 00:17:04.100 God's protection. 00:17:05.660 --> 00:17:06.940 Laban's not a happy 00:17:06.940 --> 00:17:07.420 chappy, 00:17:07.600 --> 00:17:07.900 is he? 00:17:08.120 --> 00:17:09.259 For two reasons. 00:17:10.120 --> 00:17:10.620 One, 00:17:11.340 --> 00:17:12.319 as we'll discover, 00:17:12.519 --> 00:17:13.380 he finds out 00:17:13.380 --> 00:17:14.440 his family idols 00:17:14.440 --> 00:17:15.120 are gone. 00:17:15.920 --> 00:17:16.460 And two, 00:17:16.460 --> 00:17:17.920 look at verse 20, 00:17:18.680 --> 00:17:20.660 Jacob deceived 00:17:20.660 --> 00:17:22.000 Laban the Aramean 00:17:22.000 --> 00:17:23.180 by not telling him 00:17:23.180 --> 00:17:24.259 he was running away. 00:17:25.100 --> 00:17:26.059 So he fled 00:17:26.059 --> 00:17:26.980 with all he had 00:17:26.980 --> 00:17:27.880 and crossed the river 00:17:27.880 --> 00:17:28.519 Euphrates 00:17:28.519 --> 00:17:29.920 and head for the 00:17:29.920 --> 00:17:30.539 hill country 00:17:30.539 --> 00:17:31.340 of Gilead. 00:17:32.539 --> 00:17:33.559 It seems Jacob 00:17:33.559 --> 00:17:34.860 is in trouble again. 00:17:35.600 --> 00:17:36.579 Looks like he's 00:17:36.579 --> 00:17:37.539 going to be dragged 00:17:37.539 --> 00:17:39.319 back to Laban land. 00:17:40.840 --> 00:17:41.360 Well, 00:17:41.500 --> 00:17:42.400 verse 23, 00:17:43.960 --> 00:17:45.200 taking his relatives 00:17:45.200 --> 00:17:45.940 with him, 00:17:46.460 --> 00:17:47.059 Laban 00:17:47.059 --> 00:17:48.400 pursued Jacob. 00:17:48.559 --> 00:17:49.779 This isn't a friendly 00:17:49.779 --> 00:17:51.480 chasing after him. 00:17:51.779 --> 00:17:52.579 This is with 00:17:52.579 --> 00:17:54.240 an army in tow. 00:17:54.620 --> 00:17:55.700 He pursued 00:17:55.700 --> 00:17:56.480 Jacob 00:17:56.480 --> 00:17:57.519 for seven days 00:17:57.519 --> 00:17:58.220 and caught up 00:17:58.220 --> 00:17:58.539 with him 00:17:58.539 --> 00:17:58.960 in the hill 00:17:58.960 --> 00:18:00.180 country of Gilead. 00:18:02.019 --> 00:18:02.900 But then 00:18:02.900 --> 00:18:03.640 God came 00:18:03.640 --> 00:18:04.440 to Laban 00:18:04.440 --> 00:18:06.079 in a dream 00:18:06.079 --> 00:18:06.620 at night 00:18:06.620 --> 00:18:07.620 and said to him, 00:18:08.340 --> 00:18:09.660 be careful 00:18:09.660 --> 00:18:10.880 not to say 00:18:10.880 --> 00:18:12.180 anything to Jacob, 00:18:12.400 --> 00:18:13.259 either good 00:18:13.259 --> 00:18:15.160 or bad. 00:18:16.359 --> 00:18:17.119 In other words, 00:18:17.240 --> 00:18:17.900 God is saying 00:18:17.900 --> 00:18:18.420 to him, 00:18:18.579 --> 00:18:20.599 don't you harm 00:18:20.599 --> 00:18:22.019 my man. 00:18:22.879 --> 00:18:23.920 You mess 00:18:23.920 --> 00:18:24.619 with Jacob 00:18:24.619 --> 00:18:26.619 and you're 00:18:26.619 --> 00:18:27.539 messing with me. 00:18:27.539 --> 00:18:29.700 I'm watching you, 00:18:29.700 --> 00:18:30.139 Laban. 00:18:32.299 --> 00:18:33.599 It turns out 00:18:33.599 --> 00:18:34.779 God is with 00:18:34.779 --> 00:18:35.379 Jacob 00:18:35.379 --> 00:18:36.359 and he is going 00:18:36.359 --> 00:18:37.299 to protect 00:18:37.299 --> 00:18:37.980 Jacob. 00:18:38.700 --> 00:18:39.619 Is Laban 00:18:39.619 --> 00:18:40.579 going to heed 00:18:40.579 --> 00:18:41.619 what God has said? 00:18:41.980 --> 00:18:42.240 Well, 00:18:42.299 --> 00:18:43.220 it seems he does 00:18:43.220 --> 00:18:43.940 because when he 00:18:43.940 --> 00:18:45.259 finally confronts 00:18:45.259 --> 00:18:45.599 Jacob, 00:18:46.079 --> 00:18:47.339 look at verse 28, 00:18:47.339 --> 00:18:52.019 he says to Jacob, 00:18:52.019 --> 00:18:52.740 you didn't even 00:18:52.740 --> 00:18:53.419 let me kiss 00:18:53.419 --> 00:18:54.399 my grandchildren, 00:18:54.599 --> 00:18:55.220 my daughters, 00:18:55.379 --> 00:18:55.799 goodbye. 00:18:56.619 --> 00:18:57.139 You've done 00:18:57.139 --> 00:18:58.119 a foolish thing. 00:18:58.959 --> 00:19:00.299 I have the power 00:19:00.299 --> 00:19:01.339 to harm you. 00:19:02.619 --> 00:19:03.759 But last night 00:19:03.759 --> 00:19:04.579 the God of your 00:19:04.579 --> 00:19:05.799 father said to me, 00:19:06.519 --> 00:19:07.199 be careful 00:19:07.199 --> 00:19:08.019 not to say 00:19:08.019 --> 00:19:09.339 anything to Jacob, 00:19:09.919 --> 00:19:10.720 either good 00:19:10.720 --> 00:19:12.139 or bad. 00:19:13.539 --> 00:19:14.519 It seems 00:19:14.519 --> 00:19:15.259 God has put 00:19:15.259 --> 00:19:16.359 the heebie-jeebies 00:19:16.359 --> 00:19:17.379 into Laban 00:19:17.379 --> 00:19:19.119 and he backs 00:19:19.119 --> 00:19:20.019 right off. 00:19:20.619 --> 00:19:20.939 You see, 00:19:21.039 --> 00:19:22.519 God is not always 00:19:22.519 --> 00:19:24.219 meek and mild. 00:19:25.539 --> 00:19:26.519 God is to be 00:19:26.519 --> 00:19:27.339 feared, 00:19:27.819 --> 00:19:28.379 especially 00:19:28.379 --> 00:19:29.259 when you go 00:19:29.259 --> 00:19:29.839 opposing 00:19:29.839 --> 00:19:30.939 God's people. 00:19:32.959 --> 00:19:34.179 So it seems 00:19:34.179 --> 00:19:34.819 the threat 00:19:34.819 --> 00:19:35.740 has been averted 00:19:35.740 --> 00:19:38.079 except for 00:19:38.079 --> 00:19:39.579 another small matter. 00:19:40.339 --> 00:19:41.019 Look at the end 00:19:41.019 --> 00:19:41.919 of verse 30. 00:19:44.039 --> 00:19:45.240 But why 00:19:45.240 --> 00:19:46.559 did you steal 00:19:46.559 --> 00:19:47.819 my gods? 00:19:48.960 --> 00:19:49.819 The gods! 00:19:50.299 --> 00:19:51.160 What about 00:19:51.160 --> 00:19:51.980 the gods? 00:19:53.319 --> 00:19:53.880 Well, 00:19:54.039 --> 00:19:54.839 Jacob doesn't 00:19:54.839 --> 00:19:55.539 know about 00:19:55.539 --> 00:19:56.620 Rachel's doubting 00:19:56.620 --> 00:19:57.420 issues and how 00:19:57.420 --> 00:19:58.220 she had stolen 00:19:58.220 --> 00:19:59.339 the family gods. 00:19:59.920 --> 00:20:00.620 Jacob just 00:20:00.620 --> 00:20:01.720 invites Laban 00:20:01.720 --> 00:20:02.339 to go and 00:20:02.339 --> 00:20:03.380 search the tents. 00:20:04.440 --> 00:20:04.920 In fact, 00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:05.620 he makes the 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:06.880 unfortunate promise 00:20:06.880 --> 00:20:08.059 that if anyone 00:20:08.059 --> 00:20:08.940 is found with 00:20:08.940 --> 00:20:09.579 the idols, 00:20:10.160 --> 00:20:10.859 they're going 00:20:10.859 --> 00:20:11.539 to die. 00:20:14.179 --> 00:20:15.359 Verse 33. 00:20:16.919 --> 00:20:17.859 So Laban 00:20:17.859 --> 00:20:18.459 went into 00:20:18.459 --> 00:20:19.339 Jacob's tent 00:20:19.339 --> 00:20:19.899 and then 00:20:19.899 --> 00:20:20.659 into Leah's 00:20:20.659 --> 00:20:21.219 tent and 00:20:21.219 --> 00:20:21.839 into the 00:20:21.839 --> 00:20:22.379 tent of the 00:20:22.379 --> 00:20:23.119 two female 00:20:23.119 --> 00:20:23.679 servants, 00:20:24.179 --> 00:20:25.240 but he 00:20:25.240 --> 00:20:25.979 found nothing. 00:20:27.059 --> 00:20:27.859 After he 00:20:27.859 --> 00:20:28.379 came out 00:20:28.379 --> 00:20:29.059 of Leah's 00:20:29.059 --> 00:20:29.500 tent, 00:20:30.039 --> 00:20:32.379 he went 00:20:32.379 --> 00:20:32.699 into 00:20:32.699 --> 00:20:33.319 Rachel's 00:20:33.319 --> 00:20:33.740 tent. 00:20:33.740 --> 00:20:36.039 Now Rachel 00:20:36.039 --> 00:20:36.539 had taken 00:20:36.539 --> 00:20:37.160 the household 00:20:37.160 --> 00:20:38.039 gods and 00:20:38.039 --> 00:20:38.440 put them 00:20:38.440 --> 00:20:38.880 into the 00:20:38.880 --> 00:20:39.400 camel's 00:20:39.400 --> 00:20:39.700 saddle, 00:20:39.859 --> 00:20:40.859 which acted 00:20:40.859 --> 00:20:41.359 like a 00:20:41.359 --> 00:20:42.180 couch at 00:20:42.180 --> 00:20:42.519 night, 00:20:42.680 --> 00:20:43.740 so a 00:20:43.740 --> 00:20:44.539 saddle during 00:20:44.539 --> 00:20:44.940 the day, 00:20:45.019 --> 00:20:45.700 a couch at 00:20:45.700 --> 00:20:46.120 night in 00:20:46.120 --> 00:20:46.579 the tent, 00:20:47.120 --> 00:20:47.539 and was 00:20:47.539 --> 00:20:48.200 sitting on 00:20:48.200 --> 00:20:48.440 them. 00:20:49.599 --> 00:20:50.000 Laban 00:20:50.000 --> 00:20:50.519 searched 00:20:50.519 --> 00:20:50.839 through 00:20:50.839 --> 00:20:51.640 everything in 00:20:51.640 --> 00:20:52.220 the tent, 00:20:52.859 --> 00:20:53.480 but found 00:20:53.480 --> 00:20:53.900 nothing. 00:20:55.180 --> 00:20:55.700 And then we 00:20:55.700 --> 00:20:56.079 could just 00:20:56.079 --> 00:20:56.519 imagine, 00:20:56.660 --> 00:20:57.259 just before 00:20:57.259 --> 00:20:57.680 he goes 00:20:57.680 --> 00:20:57.940 out, 00:20:58.039 --> 00:20:58.779 he spies 00:20:58.779 --> 00:21:00.420 the camel 00:21:00.420 --> 00:21:01.500 seat that 00:21:01.500 --> 00:21:02.079 Rachel's 00:21:02.079 --> 00:21:02.700 sitting on. 00:21:03.799 --> 00:21:04.319 And just 00:21:04.319 --> 00:21:05.019 before he 00:21:05.019 --> 00:21:05.539 can order 00:21:05.539 --> 00:21:06.220 Rachel to 00:21:06.220 --> 00:21:06.819 get up, 00:21:07.259 --> 00:21:08.079 verse 35, 00:21:09.639 --> 00:21:10.440 Rachel said 00:21:10.440 --> 00:21:10.819 to her 00:21:10.819 --> 00:21:11.259 father, 00:21:12.279 --> 00:21:12.799 don't be 00:21:12.799 --> 00:21:13.160 angry, 00:21:13.299 --> 00:21:13.819 my lord, 00:21:13.920 --> 00:21:14.279 that I 00:21:14.279 --> 00:21:15.039 cannot stand 00:21:15.039 --> 00:21:15.359 up in 00:21:15.359 --> 00:21:15.920 your presence, 00:21:16.500 --> 00:21:17.180 I'm having 00:21:17.180 --> 00:21:17.940 my period. 00:21:19.460 --> 00:21:20.059 Well, 00:21:20.440 --> 00:21:21.259 period pain 00:21:21.259 --> 00:21:21.839 can be 00:21:21.839 --> 00:21:22.420 painful, 00:21:23.480 --> 00:21:24.220 so Rachel 00:21:24.220 --> 00:21:25.299 remains lying 00:21:25.299 --> 00:21:26.099 down hoping 00:21:26.099 --> 00:21:26.700 for some 00:21:26.700 --> 00:21:27.119 relief. 00:21:27.500 --> 00:21:27.899 Now it 00:21:27.899 --> 00:21:28.379 may seem 00:21:28.380 --> 00:21:29.000 a strange 00:21:29.000 --> 00:21:29.760 incident to 00:21:29.760 --> 00:21:30.080 us, 00:21:30.280 --> 00:21:30.880 but it 00:21:30.880 --> 00:21:31.580 teaches us 00:21:31.580 --> 00:21:32.260 something of 00:21:32.260 --> 00:21:32.800 God's 00:21:32.800 --> 00:21:33.460 protection. 00:21:34.840 --> 00:21:35.420 It seems 00:21:35.420 --> 00:21:36.160 Rachel's 00:21:36.160 --> 00:21:36.540 idols, 00:21:36.740 --> 00:21:37.280 instead of 00:21:37.280 --> 00:21:37.560 bringing 00:21:37.560 --> 00:21:38.380 security, 00:21:38.940 --> 00:21:39.380 have put 00:21:39.380 --> 00:21:39.740 her in 00:21:39.740 --> 00:21:40.160 danger, 00:21:40.500 --> 00:21:40.900 because 00:21:40.900 --> 00:21:41.800 idols will 00:21:41.800 --> 00:21:42.620 never save 00:21:42.620 --> 00:21:42.780 you. 00:21:42.860 --> 00:21:43.280 The things 00:21:43.280 --> 00:21:43.620 that we 00:21:43.620 --> 00:21:44.400 long for 00:21:44.400 --> 00:21:44.860 and hang 00:21:44.860 --> 00:21:45.380 on to 00:21:45.380 --> 00:21:46.400 only get 00:21:46.400 --> 00:21:46.840 us into 00:21:46.840 --> 00:21:47.260 trouble, 00:21:47.400 --> 00:21:47.540 they're 00:21:47.540 --> 00:21:48.260 distractions, 00:21:48.840 --> 00:21:49.560 rather than 00:21:49.560 --> 00:21:50.040 a help, 00:21:50.180 --> 00:21:50.520 they're a 00:21:50.520 --> 00:21:51.220 hindrance. 00:21:53.580 --> 00:21:54.080 And with 00:21:54.080 --> 00:21:55.080 no offence, 00:21:55.700 --> 00:21:56.440 what kind 00:21:56.440 --> 00:21:57.020 of gods 00:21:57.020 --> 00:21:57.620 are they 00:21:57.620 --> 00:21:58.040 that they 00:21:58.039 --> 00:21:58.259 need 00:21:58.259 --> 00:21:58.799 protected 00:21:58.799 --> 00:21:59.319 by a 00:21:59.319 --> 00:21:59.579 woman 00:21:59.579 --> 00:22:00.119 suffering 00:22:00.119 --> 00:22:00.579 with her 00:22:00.579 --> 00:22:01.000 period. 00:22:03.519 --> 00:22:04.299 God is 00:22:04.299 --> 00:22:05.359 making fun 00:22:05.359 --> 00:22:06.720 to make 00:22:06.720 --> 00:22:07.440 his point. 00:22:08.460 --> 00:22:08.799 He's 00:22:08.799 --> 00:22:09.079 saying, 00:22:09.240 --> 00:22:09.460 look, 00:22:09.619 --> 00:22:10.279 I can 00:22:10.279 --> 00:22:11.079 intervene in 00:22:11.079 --> 00:22:11.720 big ways 00:22:11.720 --> 00:22:12.220 and speak 00:22:12.220 --> 00:22:13.099 directly to 00:22:13.099 --> 00:22:13.599 a Laban 00:22:13.599 --> 00:22:14.039 and tell 00:22:14.039 --> 00:22:14.379 him to 00:22:14.379 --> 00:22:15.039 back off 00:22:15.039 --> 00:22:15.480 from my 00:22:15.480 --> 00:22:15.960 people, 00:22:17.460 --> 00:22:17.819 or you 00:22:17.819 --> 00:22:18.399 know what? 00:22:18.859 --> 00:22:19.599 I can 00:22:19.599 --> 00:22:19.980 use a 00:22:19.980 --> 00:22:20.480 woman with 00:22:20.480 --> 00:22:21.279 period pain 00:22:21.279 --> 00:22:21.720 to keep 00:22:21.720 --> 00:22:22.299 my people 00:22:22.299 --> 00:22:23.059 safe too. 00:22:23.059 --> 00:22:25.440 God will 00:22:25.440 --> 00:22:26.079 do whatever 00:22:26.079 --> 00:22:26.839 it takes 00:22:26.839 --> 00:22:28.099 to keep 00:22:28.099 --> 00:22:28.859 his people. 00:22:30.919 --> 00:22:31.519 Now, 00:22:31.579 --> 00:22:31.919 we need 00:22:31.919 --> 00:22:32.240 to be 00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:33.039 careful not 00:22:33.039 --> 00:22:33.919 to overplay 00:22:33.919 --> 00:22:34.679 things here. 00:22:35.599 --> 00:22:36.379 This doesn't 00:22:36.379 --> 00:22:37.059 mean nothing 00:22:37.059 --> 00:22:37.940 bad will 00:22:37.940 --> 00:22:38.720 ever happen 00:22:38.720 --> 00:22:40.139 or that we 00:22:40.139 --> 00:22:40.859 won't face 00:22:40.859 --> 00:22:41.519 harm in 00:22:41.519 --> 00:22:42.099 our life 00:22:42.099 --> 00:22:42.599 or in our 00:22:42.599 --> 00:22:43.119 walk with 00:22:43.119 --> 00:22:43.500 God. 00:22:44.079 --> 00:22:44.339 No, 00:22:44.399 --> 00:22:44.859 what this 00:22:44.859 --> 00:22:45.440 is teaching 00:22:45.440 --> 00:22:46.119 us is 00:22:46.119 --> 00:22:47.399 that nothing 00:22:47.399 --> 00:22:48.119 and no 00:22:48.119 --> 00:22:49.220 one can 00:22:49.220 --> 00:22:49.740 take us 00:22:49.740 --> 00:22:50.220 out of 00:22:50.220 --> 00:22:50.799 God's 00:22:50.799 --> 00:22:51.299 saving 00:22:51.299 --> 00:22:52.200 security. 00:22:53.240 --> 00:22:53.720 Remember, 00:22:53.919 --> 00:22:54.440 Jacob and 00:22:54.440 --> 00:22:54.980 his family 00:22:54.980 --> 00:22:55.539 were heading 00:22:55.539 --> 00:22:56.159 for the 00:22:56.159 --> 00:22:56.559 promised 00:22:56.559 --> 00:22:57.599 land and 00:22:57.599 --> 00:22:58.139 God had 00:22:58.139 --> 00:22:58.519 made a 00:22:58.519 --> 00:22:59.099 promise to 00:22:59.099 --> 00:22:59.299 them, 00:22:59.659 --> 00:23:00.639 I will 00:23:00.639 --> 00:23:01.139 bring you 00:23:01.139 --> 00:23:01.839 back there 00:23:01.839 --> 00:23:02.779 and I'm 00:23:02.779 --> 00:23:03.139 not going 00:23:03.139 --> 00:23:03.559 to leave 00:23:03.559 --> 00:23:04.220 you until 00:23:04.220 --> 00:23:04.579 you're 00:23:04.579 --> 00:23:04.940 there. 00:23:05.879 --> 00:23:06.240 No 00:23:06.240 --> 00:23:07.220 threat or 00:23:07.220 --> 00:23:07.839 opposition 00:23:07.839 --> 00:23:08.839 is going 00:23:08.839 --> 00:23:09.579 to stand 00:23:09.579 --> 00:23:10.039 in their 00:23:10.039 --> 00:23:10.419 way. 00:23:12.079 --> 00:23:12.480 So, 00:23:12.539 --> 00:23:12.980 just as 00:23:12.980 --> 00:23:13.519 God was 00:23:13.519 --> 00:23:14.339 watching over 00:23:14.339 --> 00:23:15.059 and protecting 00:23:15.059 --> 00:23:15.579 Jacob, 00:23:16.240 --> 00:23:17.139 so God 00:23:17.139 --> 00:23:18.740 always preserves 00:23:18.740 --> 00:23:19.799 and keeps 00:23:19.799 --> 00:23:21.279 his people. 00:23:21.299 --> 00:23:23.359 his church, 00:23:23.940 --> 00:23:24.639 people like 00:23:24.639 --> 00:23:25.099 you and 00:23:25.099 --> 00:23:25.399 I, 00:23:25.799 --> 00:23:26.440 are kept 00:23:26.440 --> 00:23:27.339 within his 00:23:27.339 --> 00:23:27.759 care. 00:23:28.099 --> 00:23:28.599 No matter 00:23:28.599 --> 00:23:29.279 what the 00:23:29.279 --> 00:23:30.180 opposition we 00:23:30.180 --> 00:23:30.619 face, 00:23:31.000 --> 00:23:31.599 whether it's 00:23:31.599 --> 00:23:32.059 our own 00:23:32.059 --> 00:23:32.579 sin, 00:23:33.279 --> 00:23:33.799 our own 00:23:33.799 --> 00:23:34.440 suffering, 00:23:35.359 --> 00:23:35.919 or even 00:23:35.919 --> 00:23:36.419 Satan 00:23:36.419 --> 00:23:37.059 himself, 00:23:38.059 --> 00:23:38.700 nothing 00:23:38.700 --> 00:23:39.779 and no 00:23:39.779 --> 00:23:40.879 one can 00:23:40.879 --> 00:23:41.659 ever separate 00:23:41.659 --> 00:23:42.379 us from 00:23:42.379 --> 00:23:43.039 what God 00:23:43.039 --> 00:23:44.039 has for 00:23:44.039 --> 00:23:44.460 us. 00:23:45.779 --> 00:23:46.460 So, 00:23:46.579 --> 00:23:46.899 second, 00:23:47.639 --> 00:23:48.339 we see 00:23:48.339 --> 00:23:48.839 God's 00:23:48.839 --> 00:23:49.419 protection 00:23:49.420 --> 00:23:49.560 protection 00:23:49.560 --> 00:23:50.740 in the 00:23:50.740 --> 00:23:51.320 opposition. 00:23:54.620 --> 00:23:55.220 So, 00:23:55.279 --> 00:23:55.500 we have 00:23:55.500 --> 00:23:55.920 God's 00:23:55.920 --> 00:23:56.380 presence, 00:23:56.560 --> 00:23:56.920 God's 00:23:56.920 --> 00:23:57.460 protection 00:23:57.460 --> 00:24:00.880 and God's 00:24:00.880 --> 00:24:01.360 provision 00:24:01.360 --> 00:24:02.920 in our 00:24:02.920 --> 00:24:03.360 need. 00:24:04.800 --> 00:24:05.420 Don't worry, 00:24:05.519 --> 00:24:05.980 I didn't go 00:24:05.980 --> 00:24:06.539 looking for 00:24:06.539 --> 00:24:06.920 all the 00:24:06.920 --> 00:24:07.500 P words 00:24:07.500 --> 00:24:08.160 just to be 00:24:08.160 --> 00:24:08.480 clever. 00:24:08.640 --> 00:24:09.000 I think 00:24:09.000 --> 00:24:09.620 that's what 00:24:09.620 --> 00:24:10.100 the text 00:24:10.100 --> 00:24:10.620 teaches, 00:24:10.880 --> 00:24:11.539 so let's 00:24:11.539 --> 00:24:12.140 move on. 00:24:12.600 --> 00:24:13.060 Before 00:24:13.060 --> 00:24:13.920 Jacob says 00:24:13.920 --> 00:24:14.220 his 00:24:14.220 --> 00:24:15.180 goodbyes, 00:24:15.640 --> 00:24:16.240 it seems 00:24:16.240 --> 00:24:16.880 he wants 00:24:16.880 --> 00:24:17.320 to get 00:24:17.319 --> 00:24:17.779 something 00:24:17.779 --> 00:24:18.240 off his 00:24:18.240 --> 00:24:18.720 chest 00:24:18.720 --> 00:24:19.720 with his 00:24:19.720 --> 00:24:20.099 uncle 00:24:20.099 --> 00:24:20.579 Laban. 00:24:20.819 --> 00:24:21.240 Look at 00:24:21.240 --> 00:24:22.019 verse 40. 00:24:23.759 --> 00:24:24.599 This was 00:24:24.599 --> 00:24:25.639 my situation. 00:24:26.319 --> 00:24:26.779 This is 00:24:26.779 --> 00:24:27.240 what it was 00:24:27.240 --> 00:24:27.740 like to 00:24:27.740 --> 00:24:28.299 work for 00:24:28.299 --> 00:24:28.519 you, 00:24:28.639 --> 00:24:29.019 Laban. 00:24:29.799 --> 00:24:30.519 It wasn't 00:24:30.519 --> 00:24:31.079 nice and 00:24:31.079 --> 00:24:31.559 it wasn't 00:24:31.559 --> 00:24:32.019 easy. 00:24:32.779 --> 00:24:33.339 The heat 00:24:33.339 --> 00:24:34.119 consumed me 00:24:34.119 --> 00:24:34.439 in the 00:24:34.439 --> 00:24:35.240 daytime and 00:24:35.240 --> 00:24:35.759 the cold 00:24:35.759 --> 00:24:36.319 at night. 00:24:37.200 --> 00:24:37.720 Sleep 00:24:37.720 --> 00:24:38.319 fled from 00:24:38.319 --> 00:24:39.099 my eyes. 00:24:40.000 --> 00:24:40.379 It was 00:24:40.379 --> 00:24:40.980 like this 00:24:40.980 --> 00:24:41.879 for 20 00:24:41.879 --> 00:24:42.740 years I 00:24:42.740 --> 00:24:43.139 was in 00:24:43.139 --> 00:24:43.339 your 00:24:43.339 --> 00:24:43.919 household. 00:24:44.639 --> 00:24:44.960 I 00:24:44.960 --> 00:24:45.539 worked for 00:24:45.539 --> 00:24:46.359 you 14 00:24:46.359 --> 00:24:47.220 years for 00:24:47.220 --> 00:24:47.660 two of 00:24:47.660 --> 00:24:47.839 your 00:24:47.839 --> 00:24:48.299 daughters 00:24:48.299 --> 00:24:49.900 and six 00:24:49.900 --> 00:24:50.640 years for 00:24:50.640 --> 00:24:51.460 your flocks 00:24:51.460 --> 00:24:52.600 and you 00:24:52.600 --> 00:24:53.360 changed my 00:24:53.360 --> 00:24:54.759 wages ten 00:24:54.759 --> 00:24:55.559 times. 00:24:57.120 --> 00:24:57.480 Laban, 00:24:57.579 --> 00:24:57.960 you've been 00:24:57.960 --> 00:24:58.440 out for 00:24:58.440 --> 00:24:59.240 yourself this 00:24:59.240 --> 00:25:00.160 whole time. 00:25:00.680 --> 00:25:00.920 You've 00:25:00.920 --> 00:25:01.539 treated me 00:25:01.539 --> 00:25:02.559 unfairly and 00:25:02.559 --> 00:25:03.360 unjustly, 00:25:03.660 --> 00:25:04.200 but here 00:25:04.200 --> 00:25:04.740 there's one 00:25:04.740 --> 00:25:05.220 thing I 00:25:05.220 --> 00:25:05.640 want you 00:25:05.640 --> 00:25:06.039 to know 00:25:06.039 --> 00:25:06.799 before I 00:25:06.799 --> 00:25:07.240 leave. 00:25:07.660 --> 00:25:08.160 Listen to 00:25:08.160 --> 00:25:08.680 this. 00:25:09.400 --> 00:25:10.259 Verse 42. 00:25:11.220 --> 00:25:11.819 If the 00:25:11.819 --> 00:25:12.299 God of 00:25:12.299 --> 00:25:13.180 my father 00:25:13.180 --> 00:25:14.759 and the 00:25:14.759 --> 00:25:15.220 God of 00:25:15.220 --> 00:25:15.900 Abraham and 00:25:15.900 --> 00:25:16.480 the fear 00:25:16.480 --> 00:25:17.200 of Isaac 00:25:17.200 --> 00:25:18.440 had not 00:25:18.440 --> 00:25:19.100 been with 00:25:19.100 --> 00:25:19.440 me, 00:25:20.160 --> 00:25:20.660 you would 00:25:20.660 --> 00:25:21.360 surely have 00:25:21.360 --> 00:25:21.840 sent me 00:25:21.840 --> 00:25:22.779 away empty 00:25:22.779 --> 00:25:23.259 handed. 00:25:24.380 --> 00:25:25.019 But God 00:25:25.019 --> 00:25:25.799 has seen my 00:25:25.799 --> 00:25:26.600 hardship and 00:25:26.600 --> 00:25:27.340 the toil of 00:25:27.340 --> 00:25:28.120 my hands, 00:25:28.600 --> 00:25:29.340 and last 00:25:29.340 --> 00:25:30.039 night he 00:25:30.039 --> 00:25:31.140 rebuked 00:25:31.140 --> 00:25:31.400 you. 00:25:32.460 --> 00:25:33.240 At last, 00:25:33.819 --> 00:25:34.200 Jacob 00:25:34.200 --> 00:25:35.500 recognises the 00:25:35.500 --> 00:25:36.740 source of 00:25:36.740 --> 00:25:37.620 all that he 00:25:37.620 --> 00:25:38.819 has throughout 00:25:38.819 --> 00:25:40.039 his life. 00:25:40.519 --> 00:25:41.299 While Laban 00:25:41.299 --> 00:25:41.740 has been 00:25:41.740 --> 00:25:42.460 mean and 00:25:42.460 --> 00:25:43.220 tight-fisted, 00:25:43.680 --> 00:25:44.240 God has 00:25:44.240 --> 00:25:45.259 been kind 00:25:45.259 --> 00:25:46.319 and generous 00:25:46.319 --> 00:25:47.059 hearted. 00:25:47.059 --> 00:25:48.140 God has 00:25:48.140 --> 00:25:49.079 provided for 00:25:49.079 --> 00:25:50.279 every step 00:25:50.279 --> 00:25:50.839 of the way 00:25:50.839 --> 00:25:51.839 and God 00:25:51.839 --> 00:25:53.000 keeps providing 00:25:53.000 --> 00:25:54.000 for all his 00:25:54.000 --> 00:25:55.220 needs as he 00:25:55.220 --> 00:25:56.099 heads towards 00:25:56.099 --> 00:25:56.740 the promised 00:25:56.740 --> 00:25:57.140 land. 00:25:57.599 --> 00:25:58.299 He goes 00:25:58.299 --> 00:25:59.379 not empty 00:25:59.379 --> 00:25:59.799 handed, 00:26:00.299 --> 00:26:01.359 but full, 00:26:02.119 --> 00:26:02.799 blessed. 00:26:03.500 --> 00:26:04.140 In his 00:26:04.140 --> 00:26:05.400 possession are 00:26:05.400 --> 00:26:06.019 all his 00:26:06.019 --> 00:26:07.140 family and 00:26:07.140 --> 00:26:08.059 all his 00:26:08.059 --> 00:26:08.940 flocks. 00:26:10.119 --> 00:26:10.879 He's heading 00:26:10.879 --> 00:26:11.420 home, 00:26:12.220 --> 00:26:12.839 a blessed 00:26:12.839 --> 00:26:13.339 man. 00:26:14.759 --> 00:26:15.500 Now this 00:26:15.500 --> 00:26:16.119 might seem 00:26:16.119 --> 00:26:17.039 very ordinary 00:26:17.039 --> 00:26:17.879 to you and 00:26:17.879 --> 00:26:18.439 I and not 00:26:18.439 --> 00:26:19.439 very spectacular. 00:26:19.980 --> 00:26:20.619 It might be 00:26:20.619 --> 00:26:21.419 just a small 00:26:21.419 --> 00:26:22.659 point, but it 00:26:22.659 --> 00:26:23.799 carries a big 00:26:23.799 --> 00:26:24.819 message, doesn't 00:26:24.819 --> 00:26:25.019 it? 00:26:25.179 --> 00:26:25.899 Because when 00:26:25.899 --> 00:26:27.259 God calls and 00:26:27.259 --> 00:26:28.379 commands, he 00:26:28.379 --> 00:26:30.259 will supply all 00:26:30.259 --> 00:26:31.139 that we need. 00:26:32.119 --> 00:26:32.699 He doesn't 00:26:32.699 --> 00:26:33.839 send us off on 00:26:33.839 --> 00:26:34.579 our journey 00:26:34.579 --> 00:26:35.799 empty handed. 00:26:36.139 --> 00:26:36.659 He doesn't 00:26:36.659 --> 00:26:37.480 just save you 00:26:37.480 --> 00:26:38.259 and say, now I 00:26:38.259 --> 00:26:39.059 saved you, it's 00:26:39.059 --> 00:26:40.299 up for you to 00:26:40.299 --> 00:26:41.059 get your way 00:26:41.059 --> 00:26:42.019 the rest of 00:26:42.019 --> 00:26:42.400 the way. 00:26:43.500 --> 00:26:44.299 No, he 00:26:44.299 --> 00:26:45.139 saves us from 00:26:45.139 --> 00:26:45.839 beginning to 00:26:45.839 --> 00:26:46.180 end. 00:26:46.539 --> 00:26:46.839 He will 00:26:46.839 --> 00:26:48.279 provide all 00:26:48.279 --> 00:26:48.879 that we 00:26:48.879 --> 00:26:50.200 need in 00:26:50.200 --> 00:26:50.819 our journey. 00:26:52.759 --> 00:26:53.500 Now let's 00:26:53.500 --> 00:26:54.259 be clear, this 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:55.099 isn't a promise 00:26:55.099 --> 00:26:55.940 of prosperity 00:26:55.940 --> 00:26:56.859 or a word 00:26:56.859 --> 00:26:57.579 for wealth. 00:26:58.379 --> 00:26:59.220 It's simply 00:26:59.220 --> 00:27:00.019 the gentle 00:27:00.019 --> 00:27:00.940 reassurance 00:27:00.940 --> 00:27:01.980 coming from 00:27:01.980 --> 00:27:02.940 God to his 00:27:02.940 --> 00:27:04.039 people that 00:27:04.039 --> 00:27:05.099 he will supply 00:27:05.099 --> 00:27:06.240 what is needed 00:27:06.240 --> 00:27:07.460 as we 00:27:07.460 --> 00:27:09.299 journey towards 00:27:09.299 --> 00:27:10.039 the ultimate 00:27:10.039 --> 00:27:11.339 promised land. 00:27:12.019 --> 00:27:13.819 I don't 00:27:13.819 --> 00:27:14.279 think we 00:27:14.279 --> 00:27:14.779 need to be 00:27:14.779 --> 00:27:15.500 in any doubt 00:27:15.500 --> 00:27:16.839 at all that 00:27:16.839 --> 00:27:17.539 God will 00:27:17.539 --> 00:27:18.599 ever let 00:27:18.599 --> 00:27:19.359 one of his 00:27:19.359 --> 00:27:20.799 children down. 00:27:21.599 --> 00:27:22.799 Everything we 00:27:22.799 --> 00:27:24.339 need, God 00:27:24.339 --> 00:27:25.660 will provide. 00:27:27.900 --> 00:27:29.900 So, God's 00:27:29.900 --> 00:27:32.259 presence, God's 00:27:32.259 --> 00:27:33.400 protection, God's 00:27:33.400 --> 00:27:36.980 provision, and 00:27:36.980 --> 00:27:38.279 then lastly, God's 00:27:38.279 --> 00:27:38.779 peace. 00:27:41.079 --> 00:27:42.460 As Jacob gets 00:27:42.460 --> 00:27:43.599 ready to leave, 00:27:44.639 --> 00:27:45.660 you see, Laban 00:27:45.660 --> 00:27:46.220 is still 00:27:46.220 --> 00:27:47.259 loitering about. 00:27:47.399 --> 00:27:47.819 He's not 00:27:47.819 --> 00:27:49.059 letting Jacob 00:27:49.059 --> 00:27:50.220 go easy, is 00:27:50.220 --> 00:27:50.399 he? 00:27:51.119 --> 00:27:52.420 He wants to 00:27:52.420 --> 00:27:53.460 make a peace 00:27:53.460 --> 00:27:53.859 deal. 00:27:54.759 --> 00:27:55.180 Look at 00:27:55.180 --> 00:27:56.200 verse 44. 00:27:56.200 --> 00:28:00.340 Come now, this 00:28:00.340 --> 00:28:01.140 is Laban 00:28:01.140 --> 00:28:01.900 speaking to 00:28:01.900 --> 00:28:03.259 Jacob, come 00:28:03.259 --> 00:28:03.960 now, let's 00:28:03.960 --> 00:28:04.400 make a 00:28:04.400 --> 00:28:05.500 covenant, you 00:28:05.500 --> 00:28:07.039 and I, and 00:28:07.039 --> 00:28:08.000 let it serve as 00:28:08.000 --> 00:28:09.420 a witness between 00:28:09.420 --> 00:28:09.720 us. 00:28:09.819 --> 00:28:10.900 Let's make 00:28:10.900 --> 00:28:11.500 promises. 00:28:12.500 --> 00:28:13.220 Let's make a 00:28:13.220 --> 00:28:14.039 commitment to 00:28:14.039 --> 00:28:14.759 leave each 00:28:14.759 --> 00:28:15.660 other in 00:28:15.660 --> 00:28:16.160 peace. 00:28:17.460 --> 00:28:18.059 And as a 00:28:18.059 --> 00:28:19.640 witness, they 00:28:19.640 --> 00:28:20.620 set up a 00:28:20.620 --> 00:28:21.799 physical reminder, 00:28:22.039 --> 00:28:22.900 verse 45. 00:28:22.900 --> 00:28:25.019 So, Jacob 00:28:25.019 --> 00:28:26.080 took a stone 00:28:26.080 --> 00:28:27.300 and he set 00:28:27.300 --> 00:28:27.960 it up as a 00:28:27.960 --> 00:28:28.180 pillar. 00:28:28.400 --> 00:28:29.320 So, here we 00:28:29.320 --> 00:28:30.120 could imagine a 00:28:30.120 --> 00:28:31.360 big boulder 00:28:31.360 --> 00:28:32.660 shaped like a 00:28:32.660 --> 00:28:33.620 pillar standing 00:28:33.620 --> 00:28:34.780 erect and 00:28:34.780 --> 00:28:35.440 upright. 00:28:36.420 --> 00:28:36.920 That's what 00:28:36.920 --> 00:28:37.759 Jacob does. 00:28:38.360 --> 00:28:38.880 Then, verse 00:28:38.880 --> 00:28:40.060 46, he says 00:28:40.060 --> 00:28:40.440 to his 00:28:40.440 --> 00:28:41.420 relatives, that's 00:28:41.420 --> 00:28:42.340 Laban and his 00:28:42.340 --> 00:28:43.740 people, gather 00:28:43.740 --> 00:28:44.700 some stones. 00:28:45.440 --> 00:28:46.360 So, they took 00:28:46.360 --> 00:28:47.340 stones and 00:28:47.340 --> 00:28:48.280 piled them in a 00:28:48.280 --> 00:28:49.320 heap, and 00:28:49.320 --> 00:28:50.240 there they ate 00:28:50.240 --> 00:28:51.720 by the heap. 00:28:51.720 --> 00:28:53.120 So, every 00:28:53.120 --> 00:28:53.759 time they 00:28:53.759 --> 00:28:54.759 came near to 00:28:54.759 --> 00:28:55.420 each other's 00:28:55.420 --> 00:28:56.539 lands, they're 00:28:56.539 --> 00:28:57.220 going to see 00:28:57.220 --> 00:28:58.240 Jacob's stone 00:28:58.240 --> 00:28:59.819 pillar and 00:28:59.819 --> 00:29:01.160 Laban's heap 00:29:01.160 --> 00:29:02.539 of stones next 00:29:02.539 --> 00:29:03.519 to it, and 00:29:03.519 --> 00:29:04.059 they will be 00:29:04.059 --> 00:29:04.920 reminded of 00:29:04.920 --> 00:29:05.839 their peace 00:29:05.839 --> 00:29:06.240 deal. 00:29:07.039 --> 00:29:07.880 Verse 51, 00:29:09.519 --> 00:29:10.299 So, Laban 00:29:10.299 --> 00:29:10.860 said to 00:29:10.860 --> 00:29:11.759 Jacob, here is 00:29:11.759 --> 00:29:12.579 this heap, and 00:29:12.579 --> 00:29:13.240 here is this 00:29:13.240 --> 00:29:14.480 pillar that I've 00:29:14.480 --> 00:29:15.220 set up between 00:29:15.220 --> 00:29:15.880 you and me. 00:29:16.259 --> 00:29:17.940 This heap is a 00:29:17.940 --> 00:29:18.640 witness, and 00:29:18.640 --> 00:29:19.819 this pillar is a 00:29:19.819 --> 00:29:21.220 witness, that I 00:29:21.220 --> 00:29:21.880 will not go 00:29:21.880 --> 00:29:23.059 past this heap 00:29:23.059 --> 00:29:24.019 to your side 00:29:24.019 --> 00:29:25.860 to harm you, and 00:29:25.860 --> 00:29:26.680 you will not go 00:29:26.680 --> 00:29:27.880 past this heap and 00:29:27.880 --> 00:29:28.779 pillar to my 00:29:28.779 --> 00:29:30.319 side to harm 00:29:30.319 --> 00:29:31.120 me. 00:29:32.440 --> 00:29:33.279 So, there we 00:29:33.279 --> 00:29:33.860 have it, the 00:29:33.860 --> 00:29:34.480 peace deal. 00:29:34.559 --> 00:29:34.900 They're not 00:29:34.900 --> 00:29:35.559 going to cross 00:29:35.559 --> 00:29:36.600 over into each 00:29:36.600 --> 00:29:37.460 other's lands and 00:29:37.460 --> 00:29:38.160 everything's going 00:29:38.160 --> 00:29:38.640 to be all 00:29:38.640 --> 00:29:38.980 right. 00:29:40.200 --> 00:29:41.539 Now, it seems a 00:29:41.539 --> 00:29:42.660 good deal, doesn't 00:29:42.660 --> 00:29:43.000 it? 00:29:43.759 --> 00:29:44.740 But we know as 00:29:44.740 --> 00:29:45.740 we followed along, 00:29:45.880 --> 00:29:46.839 Jacob and Laban 00:29:46.839 --> 00:29:47.759 have history. 00:29:47.759 --> 00:29:49.579 Laban's made 00:29:49.579 --> 00:29:50.960 continuous promises 00:29:50.960 --> 00:29:52.279 to Jacob, but 00:29:52.279 --> 00:29:53.220 the problem is he 00:29:53.220 --> 00:29:54.140 doesn't keep his 00:29:54.140 --> 00:29:54.599 promises. 00:29:55.480 --> 00:29:56.500 Laban's word is 00:29:56.500 --> 00:29:57.379 always a broken 00:29:57.379 --> 00:29:57.900 word. 00:29:59.039 --> 00:30:00.000 Jacob's memory 00:30:00.000 --> 00:30:01.099 reminds him and 00:30:01.099 --> 00:30:02.299 tells him, this 00:30:02.299 --> 00:30:03.240 peace agreement, 00:30:03.839 --> 00:30:04.539 well, it could 00:30:04.539 --> 00:30:05.740 fall apart at any 00:30:05.740 --> 00:30:06.140 moment. 00:30:07.480 --> 00:30:08.539 What Jacob 00:30:08.539 --> 00:30:10.279 needs is 00:30:10.279 --> 00:30:12.140 ultimately a 00:30:12.140 --> 00:30:13.240 peace deal and a 00:30:13.240 --> 00:30:13.940 peace agreement 00:30:13.940 --> 00:30:16.039 with God, that 00:30:16.039 --> 00:30:17.059 God will be 00:30:17.059 --> 00:30:17.960 with him, 00:30:18.819 --> 00:30:19.619 protect him, 00:30:20.099 --> 00:30:21.139 and provide for 00:30:21.139 --> 00:30:21.460 him. 00:30:22.619 --> 00:30:23.399 So, when it 00:30:23.399 --> 00:30:24.399 comes to making 00:30:24.399 --> 00:30:25.460 the peace deal, 00:30:27.259 --> 00:30:28.019 Jacob and 00:30:28.019 --> 00:30:29.099 Laban have to 00:30:29.099 --> 00:30:29.859 call on their 00:30:29.859 --> 00:30:31.220 particular God. 00:30:32.099 --> 00:30:32.920 In effect, they 00:30:32.920 --> 00:30:33.779 would say something 00:30:33.779 --> 00:30:34.599 like this, 00:30:35.159 --> 00:30:36.680 I promise not 00:30:36.680 --> 00:30:37.440 to harm my 00:30:37.440 --> 00:30:38.859 brother, and if 00:30:38.859 --> 00:30:39.659 I should break 00:30:39.659 --> 00:30:40.899 this deal, if I 00:30:40.899 --> 00:30:41.819 should cross over 00:30:41.819 --> 00:30:42.420 to where I 00:30:42.420 --> 00:30:43.839 shouldn't go, may 00:30:43.839 --> 00:30:44.940 the gods come 00:30:44.940 --> 00:30:45.980 and break me. 00:30:46.039 --> 00:30:50.019 So, Laban goes 00:30:50.019 --> 00:30:50.899 first with his 00:30:50.899 --> 00:30:51.799 promise, verse 00:30:51.799 --> 00:30:52.420 53. 00:30:56.079 --> 00:30:56.940 May the 00:30:56.940 --> 00:30:57.500 God of 00:30:57.500 --> 00:30:59.720 Abraham and 00:30:59.720 --> 00:31:00.399 the God of 00:31:00.399 --> 00:31:02.000 Nahor and 00:31:02.000 --> 00:31:02.559 the God of 00:31:02.559 --> 00:31:03.259 their father 00:31:03.259 --> 00:31:04.259 judge between 00:31:04.259 --> 00:31:04.799 us. 00:31:06.440 --> 00:31:07.119 Now, notice 00:31:07.119 --> 00:31:07.819 here all the 00:31:07.819 --> 00:31:08.379 gods he 00:31:08.379 --> 00:31:09.099 calls on. 00:31:10.200 --> 00:31:11.119 It's plural, 00:31:11.599 --> 00:31:12.619 actually, not 00:31:12.619 --> 00:31:13.180 singular. 00:31:14.240 --> 00:31:14.740 He doesn't 00:31:14.740 --> 00:31:15.500 just stop with 00:31:15.500 --> 00:31:16.059 the God of 00:31:16.059 --> 00:31:16.420 Abraham. 00:31:16.640 --> 00:31:17.539 He calls on 00:31:17.539 --> 00:31:18.680 all the 00:31:18.680 --> 00:31:19.180 gods. 00:31:19.359 --> 00:31:20.140 The gods of 00:31:20.140 --> 00:31:21.180 Nahor, my 00:31:21.180 --> 00:31:22.259 grandfather, and 00:31:22.259 --> 00:31:23.460 the gods of my 00:31:23.460 --> 00:31:24.759 great father, all 00:31:24.759 --> 00:31:25.779 the gods, all the 00:31:25.779 --> 00:31:26.839 ancestries, all of 00:31:26.839 --> 00:31:26.980 them. 00:31:27.120 --> 00:31:28.339 I'm calling them 00:31:28.339 --> 00:31:29.380 all up today to 00:31:29.380 --> 00:31:30.000 be a witness. 00:31:30.480 --> 00:31:31.720 It sounds grand, 00:31:31.859 --> 00:31:32.500 doesn't it? 00:31:33.859 --> 00:31:35.019 But with so many 00:31:35.019 --> 00:31:36.160 gods, the reality 00:31:36.160 --> 00:31:37.220 is Laban is 00:31:37.220 --> 00:31:38.299 answerable to no 00:31:38.299 --> 00:31:38.620 one. 00:31:39.519 --> 00:31:40.400 They're just gods 00:31:40.400 --> 00:31:40.920 of his own 00:31:40.920 --> 00:31:41.980 imagination and 00:31:41.980 --> 00:31:42.380 his own 00:31:42.380 --> 00:31:42.940 idea. 00:31:46.060 --> 00:31:47.100 But Jacob, 00:31:47.780 --> 00:31:48.680 when Jacob 00:31:48.680 --> 00:31:49.380 makes his 00:31:49.380 --> 00:31:49.960 promise, 00:31:51.740 --> 00:31:52.320 look at what 00:31:52.320 --> 00:31:53.060 he says, the 00:31:53.060 --> 00:31:54.019 end of verse 00:31:54.019 --> 00:31:54.880 53. 00:31:56.000 --> 00:31:56.880 So Jacob 00:31:56.880 --> 00:31:57.600 took up an 00:31:57.600 --> 00:31:58.200 oath in the 00:31:58.200 --> 00:31:58.980 name of the 00:31:58.980 --> 00:32:01.360 fear of 00:32:01.360 --> 00:32:02.040 his father 00:32:02.040 --> 00:32:02.759 Isaac. 00:32:03.800 --> 00:32:04.420 Now, isn't 00:32:04.420 --> 00:32:05.160 that strange? 00:32:05.300 --> 00:32:05.880 Jacob could 00:32:05.880 --> 00:32:06.500 easily have 00:32:06.500 --> 00:32:07.380 said, I 00:32:07.380 --> 00:32:08.259 promise in the 00:32:08.259 --> 00:32:08.860 name of the 00:32:08.859 --> 00:32:09.799 God of 00:32:09.799 --> 00:32:10.319 Isaac. 00:32:11.279 --> 00:32:12.000 But he's 00:32:12.000 --> 00:32:12.979 particular, he's 00:32:12.979 --> 00:32:13.619 focused, he 00:32:13.619 --> 00:32:14.959 says, in the 00:32:14.959 --> 00:32:16.659 fear of his 00:32:16.659 --> 00:32:17.519 father Isaac. 00:32:18.519 --> 00:32:19.139 You see, by 00:32:19.139 --> 00:32:20.059 using the word 00:32:20.059 --> 00:32:21.719 fear, Jacob is 00:32:21.719 --> 00:32:22.579 saying something 00:32:22.579 --> 00:32:23.799 about the God 00:32:23.799 --> 00:32:25.019 who he now 00:32:25.019 --> 00:32:26.000 trusts, the 00:32:26.000 --> 00:32:26.879 God who he 00:32:26.879 --> 00:32:27.679 follows. 00:32:28.319 --> 00:32:29.219 This is the 00:32:29.219 --> 00:32:30.859 creator God, the 00:32:30.859 --> 00:32:32.039 almighty God. 00:32:32.500 --> 00:32:33.359 Jacob may be 00:32:33.359 --> 00:32:34.079 equal with 00:32:34.079 --> 00:32:35.299 Laban, but he 00:32:35.299 --> 00:32:36.399 is certainly not 00:32:36.399 --> 00:32:37.319 equal with 00:32:37.319 --> 00:32:38.159 God. 00:32:38.859 --> 00:32:40.199 His fear of 00:32:40.199 --> 00:32:41.099 God means that 00:32:41.099 --> 00:32:41.579 he isn't 00:32:41.579 --> 00:32:42.459 cowering and 00:32:42.459 --> 00:32:43.879 hiding, rather 00:32:43.879 --> 00:32:45.299 one of deep 00:32:45.299 --> 00:32:46.379 respect and 00:32:46.379 --> 00:32:47.479 awe of 00:32:47.479 --> 00:32:48.439 almighty 00:32:48.439 --> 00:32:49.699 God. 00:32:50.359 --> 00:32:51.339 The reality 00:32:51.339 --> 00:32:52.279 that he is in 00:32:52.279 --> 00:32:53.299 the presence of 00:32:53.299 --> 00:32:54.359 glory and 00:32:54.359 --> 00:32:54.839 greatness. 00:32:57.079 --> 00:32:57.619 As one 00:32:57.619 --> 00:32:58.439 writer put it, 00:32:58.479 --> 00:32:59.659 to fear God 00:32:59.659 --> 00:33:01.699 is an intense 00:33:01.699 --> 00:33:03.539 concern not 00:33:03.539 --> 00:33:04.779 to grieve or 00:33:04.779 --> 00:33:05.619 dishonour the 00:33:05.619 --> 00:33:06.339 one who has 00:33:06.339 --> 00:33:07.599 done so much 00:33:07.599 --> 00:33:08.939 for us. 00:33:10.000 --> 00:33:10.919 And that's 00:33:10.919 --> 00:33:12.000 Jacob's concern. 00:33:13.099 --> 00:33:13.879 It isn't so 00:33:13.879 --> 00:33:14.419 much for 00:33:14.419 --> 00:33:16.439 Laban, but a 00:33:16.439 --> 00:33:17.299 desire to 00:33:17.299 --> 00:33:18.679 honour and 00:33:18.679 --> 00:33:20.119 follow the 00:33:20.119 --> 00:33:20.980 God who has 00:33:20.980 --> 00:33:21.740 been with him 00:33:21.740 --> 00:33:22.359 and the God 00:33:22.359 --> 00:33:23.319 who keeps him. 00:33:24.399 --> 00:33:25.199 You see, God 00:33:25.199 --> 00:33:25.980 is not our 00:33:25.980 --> 00:33:27.500 best buddy. 00:33:28.740 --> 00:33:29.480 He's not our 00:33:29.480 --> 00:33:30.459 therapist that 00:33:30.459 --> 00:33:31.399 we turn to in 00:33:31.399 --> 00:33:32.839 our crisis and 00:33:32.839 --> 00:33:33.539 forget when 00:33:33.539 --> 00:33:34.259 everything is 00:33:34.259 --> 00:33:34.660 well. 00:33:35.599 --> 00:33:36.420 God isn't our 00:33:36.420 --> 00:33:37.579 psychologist that 00:33:37.579 --> 00:33:38.400 we call to 00:33:38.400 --> 00:33:39.339 because we're 00:33:39.339 --> 00:33:40.099 having a bad 00:33:40.099 --> 00:33:40.680 day and we 00:33:40.680 --> 00:33:41.500 need somebody to 00:33:41.500 --> 00:33:42.140 say something 00:33:42.140 --> 00:33:43.140 nice to us. 00:33:44.119 --> 00:33:45.099 God is to 00:33:45.099 --> 00:33:47.019 be feared. 00:33:48.420 --> 00:33:49.200 God is our 00:33:49.200 --> 00:33:50.279 creator and 00:33:50.279 --> 00:33:50.660 king. 00:33:51.059 --> 00:33:51.500 He's our 00:33:51.500 --> 00:33:52.500 Lord and our 00:33:52.500 --> 00:33:53.119 master. 00:33:53.559 --> 00:33:54.259 The God who 00:33:54.259 --> 00:33:55.079 demands our 00:33:55.079 --> 00:33:55.859 service and 00:33:55.859 --> 00:33:57.099 sacrifice and 00:33:57.099 --> 00:33:57.900 deserves our 00:33:57.900 --> 00:33:58.799 loyalty and 00:33:58.799 --> 00:33:59.059 love. 00:33:59.539 --> 00:34:00.160 This is the 00:34:00.160 --> 00:34:01.079 kind of God 00:34:01.079 --> 00:34:02.420 that I owe 00:34:02.420 --> 00:34:03.160 my life to. 00:34:03.160 --> 00:34:03.720 this is the 00:34:03.720 --> 00:34:04.240 God that 00:34:04.240 --> 00:34:05.279 Jacob owes 00:34:05.279 --> 00:34:06.279 his life to. 00:34:07.279 --> 00:34:08.220 For Jacob, his 00:34:08.220 --> 00:34:09.139 concern isn't 00:34:09.139 --> 00:34:09.860 so much a 00:34:09.860 --> 00:34:10.680 peace deal with 00:34:10.680 --> 00:34:12.740 Laban, but 00:34:12.740 --> 00:34:13.420 being in a 00:34:13.420 --> 00:34:14.460 right relationship 00:34:14.460 --> 00:34:16.240 with God. 00:34:17.920 --> 00:34:18.800 That's what's 00:34:18.800 --> 00:34:19.480 important to 00:34:19.480 --> 00:34:19.760 him. 00:34:21.780 --> 00:34:22.500 You see, God 00:34:22.500 --> 00:34:23.260 has promised 00:34:23.260 --> 00:34:25.400 that I will be 00:34:25.400 --> 00:34:26.440 present with you 00:34:26.440 --> 00:34:28.280 and I will 00:34:28.280 --> 00:34:29.180 protect you 00:34:29.180 --> 00:34:30.720 and I will 00:34:30.720 --> 00:34:31.860 provide for you 00:34:31.860 --> 00:34:33.059 and despite 00:34:33.059 --> 00:34:33.840 all your 00:34:33.840 --> 00:34:34.860 wanderings and 00:34:34.860 --> 00:34:36.620 distractions, I 00:34:36.620 --> 00:34:37.800 am going to 00:34:37.800 --> 00:34:38.599 get you 00:34:38.599 --> 00:34:39.120 home. 00:34:40.780 --> 00:34:41.700 Now how do 00:34:41.700 --> 00:34:42.599 you respond to 00:34:42.599 --> 00:34:43.280 a God who 00:34:43.280 --> 00:34:44.019 says that to 00:34:44.019 --> 00:34:44.620 you today? 00:34:45.920 --> 00:34:48.240 Answer, we 00:34:48.240 --> 00:34:49.720 fear him. 00:34:50.940 --> 00:34:52.120 We fear him. 00:34:53.059 --> 00:34:53.980 How much 00:34:53.980 --> 00:34:54.780 more then 00:34:54.780 --> 00:34:55.320 should we 00:34:55.320 --> 00:34:56.180 respect and 00:34:56.180 --> 00:34:56.880 honour God 00:34:56.880 --> 00:34:57.700 who has 00:34:57.700 --> 00:34:59.220 saved us and 00:34:59.220 --> 00:35:00.340 intervened into 00:35:00.340 --> 00:35:01.559 our life by 00:35:01.559 --> 00:35:02.320 his son, the 00:35:02.320 --> 00:35:02.940 Lord Jesus 00:35:02.940 --> 00:35:04.100 Christ, who 00:35:04.100 --> 00:35:04.860 has come to 00:35:04.860 --> 00:35:05.380 make the 00:35:05.380 --> 00:35:06.440 ultimate peace 00:35:06.440 --> 00:35:07.440 deal with 00:35:07.440 --> 00:35:08.220 people like 00:35:08.220 --> 00:35:10.380 us, dealing 00:35:10.380 --> 00:35:10.920 with our 00:35:10.920 --> 00:35:11.440 wandering 00:35:11.440 --> 00:35:13.980 hearts and 00:35:13.980 --> 00:35:14.820 the distractions 00:35:14.820 --> 00:35:15.519 with our 00:35:15.519 --> 00:35:16.440 idols that we 00:35:16.440 --> 00:35:17.240 won't let go 00:35:17.240 --> 00:35:17.600 of. 00:35:18.680 --> 00:35:19.600 He comes and 00:35:19.600 --> 00:35:20.559 he intervenes 00:35:20.559 --> 00:35:21.960 and he dies in 00:35:21.960 --> 00:35:23.140 our place to 00:35:23.140 --> 00:35:23.920 take the blame 00:35:23.920 --> 00:35:25.019 that we deserve 00:35:25.019 --> 00:35:26.320 so that we 00:35:26.320 --> 00:35:27.120 could have a 00:35:27.120 --> 00:35:29.039 secure and 00:35:29.039 --> 00:35:29.980 eternal home 00:35:29.980 --> 00:35:30.599 with him 00:35:30.599 --> 00:35:31.519 forever. 00:35:33.579 --> 00:35:34.659 Are you at 00:35:34.659 --> 00:35:36.259 peace with 00:35:36.259 --> 00:35:36.679 God? 00:35:38.360 --> 00:35:39.199 Are you 00:35:39.199 --> 00:35:40.259 walking closely 00:35:40.259 --> 00:35:41.719 with him? 00:35:44.440 --> 00:35:45.440 Life isn't 00:35:45.440 --> 00:35:46.119 about the 00:35:46.119 --> 00:35:46.579 here and 00:35:46.579 --> 00:35:47.139 now and 00:35:47.139 --> 00:35:48.480 building our 00:35:48.480 --> 00:35:49.460 foundations and 00:35:49.460 --> 00:35:50.360 our securities 00:35:50.360 --> 00:35:51.380 and our safety 00:35:51.380 --> 00:35:51.920 now. 00:35:52.779 --> 00:35:54.019 It is trusting 00:35:54.019 --> 00:35:54.840 in the God 00:35:54.840 --> 00:35:56.820 who will be 00:35:56.820 --> 00:35:57.420 with you, 00:35:58.140 --> 00:35:58.820 who will 00:35:58.820 --> 00:35:59.620 protect you 00:35:59.620 --> 00:36:00.820 and who 00:36:00.820 --> 00:36:01.460 will provide 00:36:01.460 --> 00:36:02.240 for you. 00:36:05.880 --> 00:36:06.880 Listen as 00:36:06.880 --> 00:36:07.620 we close 00:36:07.620 --> 00:36:09.960 to 1 Peter 00:36:09.960 --> 00:36:11.000 1.17. 00:36:12.760 --> 00:36:14.019 He tells us 00:36:14.019 --> 00:36:14.620 how we should 00:36:14.620 --> 00:36:16.559 respond to 00:36:16.559 --> 00:36:17.160 the God 00:36:17.160 --> 00:36:18.519 who has done 00:36:18.519 --> 00:36:19.519 so much for 00:36:19.519 --> 00:36:19.940 us. 00:36:21.180 --> 00:36:22.140 He says, 00:36:22.280 --> 00:36:22.940 live out your 00:36:22.940 --> 00:36:23.700 time as 00:36:23.700 --> 00:36:24.360 foreigners. 00:36:24.360 --> 00:36:24.559 foreigners. 00:36:25.160 --> 00:36:26.059 That means 00:36:26.059 --> 00:36:26.640 we're not 00:36:26.640 --> 00:36:27.760 living here 00:36:27.760 --> 00:36:28.340 as our 00:36:28.340 --> 00:36:28.740 home, 00:36:29.440 --> 00:36:29.800 but we're 00:36:29.800 --> 00:36:30.320 looking for 00:36:30.320 --> 00:36:30.740 something 00:36:30.740 --> 00:36:31.340 eternal. 00:36:32.079 --> 00:36:32.519 Live out 00:36:32.519 --> 00:36:33.120 your time 00:36:33.120 --> 00:36:33.660 here as 00:36:33.660 --> 00:36:34.160 foreigners 00:36:34.160 --> 00:36:35.599 in reverent 00:36:35.599 --> 00:36:36.519 fear. 00:36:38.340 --> 00:36:38.640 That 00:36:38.640 --> 00:36:39.400 intense 00:36:39.400 --> 00:36:40.559 desire 00:36:40.559 --> 00:36:42.039 to honour 00:36:42.039 --> 00:36:42.800 and please 00:36:42.800 --> 00:36:43.280 God 00:36:43.280 --> 00:36:44.539 with all 00:36:44.539 --> 00:36:44.860 of our 00:36:44.860 --> 00:36:45.300 life. 00:36:46.380 --> 00:36:46.660 In 00:36:46.660 --> 00:36:47.700 thankfulness 00:36:47.700 --> 00:36:48.960 for his 00:36:48.960 --> 00:36:49.880 great promises 00:36:49.880 --> 00:36:51.180 to each 00:36:51.180 --> 00:36:52.000 one of us. 00:36:52.000 --> 00:36:54.400 let's 00:36:54.400 --> 00:36:54.860 just take 00:36:54.860 --> 00:36:55.460 time to 00:36:55.460 --> 00:36:56.980 pray and 00:36:56.980 --> 00:36:57.519 to reflect 00:36:57.519 --> 00:36:58.059 on what 00:36:58.059 --> 00:36:58.260 we're 00:36:58.260 --> 00:36:58.599 thinking 00:36:58.599 --> 00:36:58.980 about. 00:36:59.679 --> 00:37:00.280 Let's 00:37:00.280 --> 00:37:00.559 pray. 00:37:00.559 --> 00:37:01.000 Let's 00:37:01.000 --> 00:37:01.059 pray. 00:37:01.059 --> 00:37:01.559 Let's 00:37:01.559 --> 00:37:02.639 pray. 00:37:22.000 --> 00:37:28.280 Father, 00:37:28.460 --> 00:37:28.840 we are 00:37:28.840 --> 00:37:29.320 conscious 00:37:29.320 --> 00:37:29.900 that 00:37:29.900 --> 00:37:31.480 our 00:37:31.480 --> 00:37:31.940 hearts 00:37:31.940 --> 00:37:32.780 wander so 00:37:32.780 --> 00:37:33.460 much to 00:37:33.460 --> 00:37:34.000 so many 00:37:34.000 --> 00:37:34.280 other 00:37:34.280 --> 00:37:34.860 things. 00:37:36.239 --> 00:37:37.119 We get 00:37:37.119 --> 00:37:37.840 distracted 00:37:37.840 --> 00:37:38.639 by our 00:37:38.639 --> 00:37:39.119 idols. 00:37:42.280 --> 00:37:43.119 And yet 00:37:43.119 --> 00:37:43.420 in the 00:37:43.420 --> 00:37:43.840 midst of 00:37:43.840 --> 00:37:44.159 it all, 00:37:44.300 --> 00:37:44.579 we have 00:37:44.579 --> 00:37:45.019 a God 00:37:45.019 --> 00:37:45.760 who remains 00:37:45.760 --> 00:37:46.340 faithful. 00:37:48.059 --> 00:37:48.659 The 00:37:48.659 --> 00:37:49.119 God who 00:37:49.119 --> 00:37:49.800 has promised 00:37:49.800 --> 00:37:50.460 to keep 00:37:50.460 --> 00:37:51.019 us and 00:37:51.019 --> 00:37:51.679 watch over 00:37:51.679 --> 00:37:52.079 us. 00:37:55.440 --> 00:37:55.919 Father, 00:37:56.000 --> 00:37:56.359 we just 00:37:56.359 --> 00:37:56.960 say thank 00:37:56.960 --> 00:37:59.359 you that 00:37:59.359 --> 00:38:00.000 your presence 00:38:00.000 --> 00:38:00.919 is always 00:38:00.919 --> 00:38:01.639 with us. 00:38:03.759 --> 00:38:04.359 Thank you 00:38:04.359 --> 00:38:04.639 for the 00:38:04.639 --> 00:38:05.000 way in 00:38:05.000 --> 00:38:05.440 which you've 00:38:05.440 --> 00:38:06.279 protected us 00:38:06.279 --> 00:38:06.699 in our 00:38:06.699 --> 00:38:07.159 life, 00:38:09.159 --> 00:38:09.679 kept us 00:38:09.679 --> 00:38:10.239 from taking 00:38:10.239 --> 00:38:10.699 a wrong 00:38:10.699 --> 00:38:11.500 path or 00:38:11.500 --> 00:38:11.859 a wrong 00:38:11.859 --> 00:38:12.319 turn. 00:38:14.460 --> 00:38:15.079 Thank you 00:38:15.079 --> 00:38:15.440 for how 00:38:15.440 --> 00:38:16.440 you protect 00:38:16.440 --> 00:38:17.259 our faith. 00:38:20.019 --> 00:38:20.659 Thank you 00:38:20.659 --> 00:38:21.059 for your 00:38:21.059 --> 00:38:21.799 provision in 00:38:21.799 --> 00:38:22.420 our life, 00:38:23.420 --> 00:38:24.679 giving us 00:38:24.679 --> 00:38:25.579 people and 00:38:25.579 --> 00:38:26.559 other believers 00:38:26.559 --> 00:38:27.399 around us 00:38:27.399 --> 00:38:28.199 to care for 00:38:28.199 --> 00:38:28.940 us, to 00:38:28.940 --> 00:38:29.699 teach us. 00:38:31.940 --> 00:38:32.679 And we 00:38:32.679 --> 00:38:33.099 thank you 00:38:33.099 --> 00:38:33.920 ultimately for 00:38:33.920 --> 00:38:34.500 the peace 00:38:34.500 --> 00:38:35.179 that we have 00:38:35.179 --> 00:38:35.739 through your 00:38:35.739 --> 00:38:36.079 Son, 00:38:37.500 --> 00:38:38.079 that we 00:38:38.079 --> 00:38:38.759 belong to 00:38:38.759 --> 00:38:39.000 you. 00:38:40.599 --> 00:38:41.440 We will 00:38:41.440 --> 00:38:43.059 never be 00:38:43.059 --> 00:38:44.339 unbelonging. 00:38:44.340 --> 00:38:47.620 thank you 00:38:47.620 --> 00:38:48.180 that you 00:38:48.180 --> 00:38:49.440 will bring 00:38:49.440 --> 00:38:50.220 your people 00:38:50.220 --> 00:38:50.620 home. 00:38:52.620 --> 00:38:53.380 Thank you 00:38:53.380 --> 00:38:53.740 that we 00:38:53.740 --> 00:38:54.260 can trust 00:38:54.260 --> 00:38:54.519 you. 00:38:55.940 --> 00:38:56.720 Thank you, 00:38:56.840 --> 00:38:57.059 Lord. 00:38:57.059 --> 00:38:58.059 Amen. 00:38:58.059 --> 00:38:58.900 Amen. 00:39:05.279 --> 00:39:06.219 Now we're 00:39:06.219 --> 00:39:06.519 going to 00:39:06.519 --> 00:39:09.460 sing a 00:39:09.460 --> 00:39:10.179 song about 00:39:10.179 --> 00:39:11.059 that journey 00:39:11.059 --> 00:39:11.619 that we 00:39:11.619 --> 00:39:12.500 make as we 00:39:12.500 --> 00:39:13.119 walk with 00:39:13.119 --> 00:39:13.519 God.