Rev. E. Anderson
THROUGH LIFE’S DIFFICULTIES
GENESIS 28
The Lord has strange and unique ways by and through which people come to know Him. It was certainly to be so for Jacob. He could not follow down the same track of his father and grandfather in some respects because he was different and had to confront a complete different set of circumstances. Observation of his life would lead you readily to believe that it was by the route of suffering and difficulty that he would come to know God and increase in that knowledge. He had been raised mainly as mother’s boy and along with a nature that was not commendable and did not fare him well but the amazing thing was, he came through, and God is pleased to be identified with him and the term ‘the God of Jacob’ becomes oft repeated. That in itself says a lot!
1/. THE DIFFICULTY OF HAVING TO LEAVE HOME – GENESIS 28: 2
It was not an easy thing for this young man to do because he had lived under the security and safety of his parents and had not travelled too far. He had not spread his wings or left the nest before so he must have had mixed thought and emotion. If ever he needed to know God it was then and it was at this point he was to experience his first encounter with God and how memorable it was.
2/. THE DIFFICULTY OF BEING ALONE AT NIGHT – GENESIS 28: 11
It was sobering to him that night as he was out in the wilds, all alone, with his sense of dread and uncertainty. He could go no further and being exhausted he fell asleep. There was no way he could keep his eyes open! At that moment he was at the mercy of anyone and anything. Thankfully in this awkward spot the Lord turns up in presence, revelation and assurance. It was to be the beginning of divine pilgrimage where he would discover God and His ways.
3/. THE DIFFICULTY OF LABAN AND HIS WAYS – GENESIS 29-31
He had to go through some very rough and tough treatment with his relative, Laban. There was intrigue, treachery and some unbecoming procedures expressed that could have caused a great deal of resentment. Silently God was in the background safely negotiating him through it to profit and then gave the directive to leave. The Lord stood with him and showed Himself to him.
4/. THE DIFFICULTY OF DEALING WITH A VENGEFUL BROTHER – GENESIS 32
Esau had been a major difficulty in his life and as a result there was no love lost between them. The twins were opposite in every way and Esau vowed retribution and it seemed he was on his way to dish it out. Again, it is in this situation that the Lord shows His hand and care and Jacob is changed and spared.
5/. THE DIFFICULTY OF A PROBLEMATIC HOUSEHOLD – GENESIS 34
He did have a big family unit and with it a load of difficulties but he was to find the Lord’s help with this factor and at the end is able to bless them all – chapter 49.
6/. THE DIFFICULTY OF A LOST SON – GENESIS 37
What pained him most was the loss of Joseph and he could not work this one out because he was a son with lots of divine promise. But Jacob was to discover that through this he would become rooted in God and would see His providence manifested in an astonishing manner. All was not lost!
