Day: March 17, 2017

Genesis Message 63 The Lord Blesses Jacob with Wealth

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Laban was concerned that this God who was unknown to him would stop blessing him after Jacob left. He counters with a negotiation.
Laban says to Jacob, “Appoint me thy wages, and I will give it.” Jacob seems to ignore Laban’s request for a fee and goes on to describe how he had made Laban wealthy. This is a well-known negotiation tactic. One takes the lead and affirms their benefits to this deal in order to broker the best arrangement. Jacob was in a great position to get a good deal from Laban. So Laban listens to this negotiation tactic and says “what do you want then?” Jacob says that he does not want anything. What he meant was anything in advance. He wanted an opportunity. He needed the opportunity to provide some material accumulation. Up to now he only received room and board for all his efforts and Laban became wealthy as a result. Jacob said that he would continue to keep Laban’s flocks. In addition he asks Laban to give him a certain type of animals from his flock while he took care of them. There were three categories he asked for:

1. Every speckled one (generalizing the characteristics)
2. Every black one among the sheep
3. Every spotted and speckled among the goats

Jacob made a bonafide fair offer and Laban was trying to prevent Jacob from being successful. This is the second time Laban has successfully deceived Jacob. However, Jacob succeeds in outwitting Laban in the course of the next six years.

We have to view the increase as God given which today is called selective breeding. It originated with Jacob and clearly was a blessing in knowledge as part of the Covenant. In the face of adversity with Laban God is going to prosper Jacob as He promised.

A New Life

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2 Corinthians 10:5 “…casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ…” In Chapter 8 of the book of John, we are told of a woman who was caught in the act of adultery. The Pharisees came with the woman in tow and began asking Jesus what should be done to her. They knew that the law said that she should be stoned to death, but they asked Him nonetheless. Jesus then stooped down and began to write in the sand. They continued to …

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Keeping Focused

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Keeping Focused ~ Keep me focused Lord, when going through the fire keep my eyes straight on You so I’ll know, Your heart’s desire. Keep me focused Lord, when I’m full of dread and fear keep me looking heavenward so You can draw me near. Keep me focused Lord, when the storm is raging on keep my mind centered upward so to Your will, I can be drawn. Keep me focused Lord, when everything’s falling apart keep my faith, horizontally intact so You’ll always be in my heart. Keep me focused Lord, no matter what I’m going through help me …

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Joy From Out of Pain

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Reflections A woman when she is in travail has sorrow because her hour is come. But as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembers no more the anguish for joy that a man is born into the world. And you now therefore have sorrow. But I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man takes from you. (John 16:21-22) Jesus said these things to His disciples right before He was arrested and crucified. They had hoped for an immediate kingdom with Jesus as the Messiah, and it was all about to …

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39 Feast of Tabernacles & Egypt

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In message 39 of the book of Zechariah we see the results of Egypt mistreating Israel for many years. As punishment they will receive a forty-year period of desolation at the beginning of the Millennial Kingdom. They will be scattered throughout the world and then regathered. They will be brought back to their land but will never enjoy the political power they once had. They will make peace with Israel after they are destroyed and then converted to become a part of the Millennial Kingdom of believers. One of the requirements for Israel during the Kingdom will be to keep …

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