(Genesis) Genesis 31:32-36
Jacob and Laban's relationship is strained as Rachel's deception and Laban's search for the missing images reveal the underlying issues of trust and deception in their family dynamics.
In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Jacob and Laban from the book of Genesis. Jacob confronts Laban, questioning why he is pursuing him so aggressively. Jacob is confident that he and his family have not done anything wrong, but Laban does not believe him. Laban searches through the tents of Jacob's wives, but does not find what he is looking for. Unbeknownst to Laban, Rachel has stolen the images and cleverly hides them by sitting on them. When Laban searches Rachel's tent, she uses the excuse of being on her period to avoid getting up and revealing the stolen items.
Full Transcript
Verse 32, "...with whomsoever thy findest thy gods, let him not live. Before our brethren, discern thou what is thine with me, and take it to thee. For Jacob knew not that Rachel had stolen them." You see, Jacob is so sure that they haven't done a thing like this.
And if you think Laban believed Jacob, you're wrong. He didn't believe him. Jacob didn't believe Laban either.
They had no confidence in each other. That had been a nice, pleasant little 20 years, had it not. Now notice, "...and Laban went into Jacob's tent, and into Leah's tent, and into the two maidservant's tents, but he found them not.
Now he expected one of his daughters to be the one that got them. Then went he out of Leah's tent, and entered into Rachel's tent. Now Rachel had taken the images, put them in the camel's furniture, and sat upon them." Quite a clever girl herself, isn't she? She's sure a daughter of a father.
And she had taken them and put them in the camel's furniture, that is, that which went on the camel's back, and then she sat down on them. "...And Laban searched all the tent, but found them not. And she said to her father," listen to her now, "'Let it not displease my Lord that I cannot rise up before thee, for the custom of women is upon me.' And he searched, but found not the images." Why? Well, she's sitting on them.
She says, I'm sorry, but I can't get up. Don't feel well today. And she's sitting on them.
May I say this is truly a very realistic setting that's given to us here of this family. Now, will you notice verse 36? "...And Jacob was wroth and chode with Laban. And Jacob answered and said to Laban, What is my trespass? What is my sin that thou hast so hotly pursued after me?" And now old Jacob gets a little confidence because he doesn't locate these images, and he's sure that they're not anywhere around.
And frankly, he just now wants to rebuke the man, his father-in-law, that's come after him.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Deception of Rachel
- A. Rachel's clever plan to hide the images
- B. Her excuse to Laban, 'the custom of women is upon me'
- II. Laban's Search
- A. Laban's expectation of finding the images
- B. Rachel's cleverness in hiding them
- III. Jacob's Reaction
- A. Jacob's anger and accusation towards Laban
- B. His question, 'What is my trespass? What is my sin?'
Key Quotes
“She's sure a daughter of a father.” — J. Vernon McGee
“She's sitting on them.” — J. Vernon McGee
“What is my trespass? What is my sin that thou hast so hotly pursued after me?” — J. Vernon McGee
Application Points
- Deception and dishonesty can lead to strained relationships and conflict.
- Trust is a fundamental aspect of any relationship, and its breakdown can have severe consequences.
- Honesty and transparency are essential in maintaining healthy relationships and resolving conflicts.