God's Blessing

I came across a connection I found interesting between Laban and and his nephew Jacob:  they were always working angles for their benefit.  When Abraham's servant came to Nahor to find a wife for his master's son Isaac Genesis 24:29-31 reads, "Now Rebekah had a brother whose name was Laban, and Laban ran out to the man by the well. ³⁰ So it came to pass, when he saw the nose ring, and the bracelets on his sister's wrists, and when he heard the words of his sister Rebekah, saying, "Thus the man spoke to me," that he went to the man. And there he stood by the camels at the well. ³¹ And he said, "Come in, O blessed of the LORD! Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house, and a place for the camels." (emphasis mine)  Laban was glad to favour people from whom he could enrich himself.  Laban proved to be a shrewd man, always seeking his own prosperity at the expense of others.

Jacob was the younger of Isaac's twin sons born to Rebekah, and he too had a penchant to scheme for his own advantage.  He managed to weasel Esau out of his birthright and blessing.  He was sent to Laban's house in Padanaram to marry within the family, and though a "man of the tents" by God's grace he found the way.  Genesis 29:10 says, "And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother, that Jacob went near and rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother." (emphasis mine)  Jacob was impressed by the beauty of Rachel and the bounty of Laban's flock, and ended up staying with Laban.  Laban acknowledged in Genesis 29:14, "Surely you are my bone and my flesh." And he stayed with him for a month."  At the end of the month, Laban made the generous offer to Jacob to state his wages--wages Laban agreed to but changed 10 times.

Jacob served Laban for 7 years for the privilege of marrying Rachel, but Laban gave him Leah instead.  He asked Jacob to serve another 7 years to marry Rachel and because he loved her Jacob did so.  When Jacob asked to be released from his service Genesis 30:27 reads, "And Laban said to him, "Please stay, if I have found favour in your eyes, for I have learned by experience that the LORD has blessed me for your sake."  Laban and Jacob wanted blessing from the LORD, and the blessing they sought meant material possessions.  Jacob ended up leaving Padanaram with wives, sons, daughters, servants, flocks and herds, more than he could have ever dreamed of receiving.

A touch from God changed the old schemer, and gave him a new name.  Genesis 32:24-30 records a compelling scene as Jacob fretting over returning to his country and his brother Esau:  "Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. ²⁵ Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob's hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. ²⁶ And He said, "Let Me go, for the day breaks." But he said, "I will not let You go unless You bless me!" ²⁷ So He said to him, "What is your name?" He said, "Jacob." ²⁸ And He said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed." ²⁹ Then Jacob asked, saying, "Tell me Your name, I pray." And He said, "Why is it that you ask about My name?" And He blessed him there. ³⁰ And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: "For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved."

From that day forward Israel walked with a limp and a blessing received from God.  Instead of scheming for gain he gave:  he gave his brother a generous present, bought land where he made an offering to God, gave Joseph a coat of many colours, gave money for food from Egypt, and even gave his youngest son Benjamin at the request of an unknown ruler in Egypt--who happened to be his beloved and long-lost Joseph.  His life began to reflect the giving and generous God he worshiped.  Isn't God awesome in the way He changes people?  He gives those who seek Him a new name, blessings, and a glorious destiny by His grace.