Making Tough Decisions

January 13, 2011

“1 Jacob heard that Laban’s sons were saying, “Jacob has taken everything our father owned and has gained all this wealth from what belonged to our father.” 2 And Jacob noticed that Laban’s attitude toward him was not what it had been.
3 Then the LORD said to Jacob, “Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you.”
4 So Jacob sent word to Rachel and Leah to come out to the fields where his flocks were.

“16So do whatever God has told you.”
(Genesis 31:1-4, 16)
Change is always difficult when everything is going well. Jacob was a blessed man whom God prospered tremendously. However, in order for Jacob to follow the destiny that God had for him, he needed to make some very tough decisions. By this, Jacob had worked very hard for his father-in-law and his presence, alone, brought great blessings to Laban. Obviously Laban did not want to let him go for his own selfish reasons. I believe that Jacob would have stayed with his father-in-law, as humans have the tendency to get comfortable; but God needed to make some changes to force Jacob to move.

1. Jacob heard that Laban’s sons were saying, “Jacob has taken everything our father owned and has gained all this wealth from what belonged to our father.” Jacob started listening to a different sound when it came down to him; envy is a terrible thing. Jacob did not gain his wealth because of his father-in-law; it was exactly the other way around.
2. “2And Jacob noticed that Laban’s attitude toward him was not what it had been.” Even as Laban was being blessed by Jacob; Laban did not appreciate his son-in-law. Laban changed his salary, tried to trick him many times, but in all, God was always on the side of Jacob. Laban was also burning with envy. God allowed that emotion to be birthed out of Laban’s heart to make Jacob uncomfortable. It is what we know as coming out of the “comfort zone.”
3. “Then the LORD said to Jacob, Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you.” Now Jacob has the Lord speaking to him and reminds him of his destiny; and his destiny was not to serve Laban forever; even as God also used Laban to birth some humility out of Jacob “the deceiver.” Remember, this is the same Jacob that fooled Esau twice! So it was God’s will for him to spend some time building character as he found someone that was just as good of a deceiver as Jacob was.
4. “So Jacob sent word to Rachel and Leah to come out to the fields where his flocks were.” Time to let the love ones know what is going on. In tough decisions the Lord knows that we have close families to deal with.
5. “16So do whatever God has told you.” God gave Jacob favor with his wives; they were ready to go as they were also having a hard time dealing with their own father.

Are you in the center of having to make some tough decisions? Consider the process that Jacob followed and may the Lord, give wisdom and favor with your close ones as you move in faith to do what God has called you to do; whatever that may be.