Prayer Journal

Thursday, January 15, 2004

I don't know what Rachel was thinking. Her husband, Jacob knew something about deception, but when Rachel was told they were going to "head for the hills" (Gen 31:21), she went into her father's house and took his household gods. She knew Laban would likely come after them. Did she think she would find solace in her father-in-law's land? Would she hide it from her husband? What did she plan to do with an idol anyway; especially in a place where Jehovah is recognized as the only true God?

Was Rachel worried? Jacob was so certain no one would steal an idol, he promised to kill whoever did it. He allowed Laban to do a tent by tent search for his stuff. Since Rachel's tent was last in the search, that says something about where Laban though he wouldn't find it. But, she was clever and Rachel concealed it from everyone.

Laban was not a godly man, but he asked a profound spiritual question after failing to find his stolen idols. "Jacob, I understand you wanted to return to your father's home, but why did you steal my gods?" (Vs. 30)

I wonder what Rachel was thinking when it seemed she had deceived Jacob - the deceiver and the rest of the family as well. I wonder where she hid that thing to make sure no one would find it later? Later, Jacob would gather all the foreign gods together and bury them under an oak at Shecem. (Vs 35:4)

Have you ever taken something that wasn't yours? If not, you're either deceiving yourself, have a bad memory or are a better man than the rest of us. If you did, do you still think about it and often regret having done it. Scripture says "You can be certain your sin will find you out!" Until that happens, I guess you can enjoy your guilt and fear. (Re: Nu 32:23)

David knew a little something about guilt. He wrote, "How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart?" Jacob was the same way with his brother Esau. But he learned what most of us learn eventually: That is, what we fear is not as bad as we make it out to be when we deal with it directly. It's procrastination, as in the case of Jacob; concealing it as did Rachel; or failing to confess it promptly as in the case of David, that causes our fear to grow out of proportion. (Re: Ps 13:2)

Just Thinkin'... WebServant

1. Developed from Read the Bible Thru ( Gn. 31:17-32:12 Mt.10:27-11:6 Ps.13 Pr 3:16-18 )
2. Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society

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