Genesis 31:1–3 (ESV)
Jacob Flees from Laban
31 Now
Jacob heard that the sons of Laban were saying, “Jacob has taken all that was our father’s, and from what was our father’s he has gained all this wealth.” 2 And Jacob saw that Laban
did not regard him with favor as before. 3 Then the Lord said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you.”
There has been a lot of deception between Jacob and Laban. A family love built on deception is a love without trust. Their behavior is not God approved,
but God works through their behavior to achieve His purpose. We see that Laban in not happy when we read that “Laban did not regard him with favor as before.” The relationship has tarnished. Jacob returns home. Luther writes
““Because the Word orders it, he is not fearful but proceeds in the name of the Lord, for these are the words of God, who is liberating Jacob from distress and promising to defend him in the future” (AE 6:11).”
I pray: O Lord, there are times that relationships become strained. Help us to walk according to your ways and seek forgiveness and reconciliation.
Help us to be a living witness. Amen.