(Genesis) Genesis 30:25-30
Jacob requests to leave Laban, citing his mistreatment and desire to start anew, while Laban tries to persuade him to stay by offering higher wages.
In this sermon, the preacher discusses Jacob's complaint to Laban about his lack of prosperity despite serving him faithfully. Jacob expresses his frustration, stating that all he has gained from his service are two wives, two maids, and a house full of boys. Laban, realizing that God has blessed him because of Jacob's presence, tries to convince Jacob to stay by offering him higher wages. However, Jacob is determined to leave and asks Laban when he will be able to provide for his own household.
Full Transcript
Now, verses 25, And it came to pass, when Rachel had borne Joseph, that Jacob said unto Laban, Send me away, that I may go unto mine own place, into my country. Give me my wives, my children, for whom I have served thee, and let me go, for thou knowest my service, which I have done thee. Well, this is quite remarkable here, by the way, because we're going to see that this man, Laban, had really mistreated his son-in-law and his nephew, Jacob.
And listen to Uncle Laban here. You see, he's not going to be through. You can be sure of that.
Jacob wants to get away. And now Uncle Laban says in verse 27, And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, If I have found favor in thine eyes, tarry, for I have learned by experience that the Lord hath blessed me for thy sake. Now, this is something quite interesting.
This was something that you will recall that Abimelech, king of Gerah, found out when Isaac was in his midst. He was blessed because of his presence. And this is something now that Uncle Laban has discovered that God is with Jacob and he's blessed him.
And Uncle Laban said, Now, look, my boy, don't rush off. Don't leave me. Just hang around.
And I've been blessed and I want to raise your wages. I'll pay you more. Listen to him in verse 28.
And he said, appoint me thy wages and I'll give it. And I tell you, Jacob ought to know by now that anytime Uncle Laban made a deal that he was the one that came off the winner and not the other fella. But Jacob's learned the lesson.
Jacob wants to leave. Uncle Laban says, I'll pay you more. And now he said to him, Thou knowest how I've served thee and how thy cattle was with me.
For it was little which thou hadst before I came. It's now increased unto a multitude in the Lord. It's blessed thee since my coming.
And now when shall I provide for mine own house also? In other words, listen to Jacob. You talk about a man complaining. He's really, he's singing the blues.
In other words, he's saying here, all I've got out of all of this service for you are two wives and two maids, maids to the wives, and I've got a house full of boys. In fact, he's got 11 boys now. Now, what in the world is he going to do? How's he going to feed them? And he says, God blessed you and he prospered you, and I don't have anything.
In other words, you are the one that's prospering and I'm not. And now Jacob says, and will you listen to him?
Sermon Outline
- Jacob's Desire to Leave
- Jacob requests to leave Laban and return to his own place
- Laban's initial reluctance to let Jacob go
Key Quotes
“Well, this is quite remarkable here, by the way, because we're going to see that this man, Laban, had really mistreated his son-in-law and his nephew, Jacob.” — J. Vernon McGee
“And Uncle Laban said, Now, look, my boy, don't rush off. Don't leave me. Just hang around.” — J. Vernon McGee
“In other words, you are the one that's prospering and I'm not.” — J. Vernon McGee
Application Points
- Be aware of the potential for mistreatment in relationships and be prepared to leave if necessary.
- Don't be afraid to ask for fair compensation for your work.
- Prioritize providing for your family and seeking God's blessing in your endeavors.