"From a Great Expectation to a Great Lesson," Genesis 29:1-30

Berean Bible Church, October 30, 2005

How would you like to win the lottery, 1 million dollars, only to have it taken away, because you used a stolen credit card to purchase the ticket? A woman in Oregon stole her deceased mother-in-law's credit card, bought some items including a lottery ticket, and won a million dollars. If convicted, she can't have the money (AP, 10-28-05).

You may be living your life, feeling like you are getting away with habits and patterns that dishonor God and devalue people. But your sin has a way of catching up with you when you least expect it.

Jacob had manipulated his brother for the birthright (material blessings) and he stole the spiritual blessing from his father and brother, by pretending to be his older brother. He was on the run for his life and to find a wife. Last week we saw how God compassionately reached out to him with his presence and promises to bless him, when he did not deserve it. Jacob was transformed from a wanderer into a worshiper, and from a grasper into a giver. But there was more transformation to come, and it would take the form of a painful lesson.

We may act carelessly to get what we want, to accomplish our goals, to do what brings us pleasure, while ignoring the direction and counsel of a wise and loving God. In times like this, God is able to bring us face to face with some painful lessons to transform our character. Please read Genesis 29:1-30.

I. A great expectation turns into a great lesson.

Genesis 29:1-14 – God providentially arranged a meeting between Jacob and Rachel (and Laban). God was with Jacob, as he had promised he would be.

Genesis 29:15-30 – Laban arranged a deception, while God was arranging a lesson.

Laban changed the relationship into one of business (vs. 15). Jacob was willing to work for his daughter Rachel's hand in marriage (he didn't have the money to give her family right up front; vs. 18). Jacob worked 7 years and then had to insist upon the wedding (vs. 21). No doubt the bride was veiled, and Jacob was drunk, so he didn't realize he had married the wrong sister (vss. 22-25). Jacob had been “Punk'd.” The big day was a big disaster. Jacob got a taste of his own medicine. Jacob the younger brother had deceived his father by pretending to be his older brother. Here, the older sister Leah pretended to be the younger sister Rachel and thus painfully deceived Jacob. Laban played innocent, but his character is clear, and Jacob met his match. This was a lesson from God, who sovereignly allowed him to get into this situation.

II. God may use painful circumstances to teach us lessons we are unwilling to learn any other way.

Dr. James Dobson tells this story ... The young fellow in this story was a patient of California pediatrician Dr. William Slonecker, and his name was Robert. When Robert was scheduled for a visit to the doctor’s office, the news would spread like wildfire: “Batten down the hatches! Robert is coming! / Nurses steeled themselves in preparation for this ten-year-old undisciplined terror who tore magazines out of their holders, threw trash all over the waiting room, and wreaked havoc throughout the clinic. Each time his mother would simply shake her head and say, “Oh, Robert. Oh, Robert.” If the office staff corrected him in any way, he would bite, kick, and scream his way back to his seat. When his visit with the doctor was over, Robert would come out of the examining room wailing and crying—a practice that always terrified the other children waiting their turn! / During one of his examinations, Dr. Slonecker noticed that Robert had a few cavities, an observation that presented the doctor with a real professional dilemma. He needed to refer Robert to a dentist but hated to inflict him on a good friend or associate. Finally one dentist who had an unusual rapport with children came to mind, so he rather reluctantly made the referral. / Robert saw his trip to the dentist as a new and exciting challenge in an ongoing battle of wills. As he was ushered into the examining room, he announced to the dentist that he had no intention of getting into the chair. “Now, Robert,” the old dentist replied, “I’m not going to force you, but I want you to climb up into the chair.” Robert bowed his little head and screamed his refusal. The dentist patiently explained that Robert must sit in the chair so his teeth could be fixed. Robert refused once again—loudly. As the dentist moved toward him, Robert played what he was certain was the trump card: “If you come over here and try to make me, I’ll take off all my clothes.” Calmly, the wise old dentist said, “Fine, son, you go right ahead.” / Robert removed his shoes and shirt and stood defiantly. The doctor did not back down. Robert continued removing his clothing until he stood there just as naked as the day he was born. “Now Robert,” said the dentist, “you climb on up yourself.” And a naked (and surprised) ten-year-old terror climbed up into the chair and sat motionless as his teeth were filled. No crying. No screaming. No hitting or slapping. / When the dentist was finished, Robert climbed down and asked for his clothes. “No, son,” the good doctor replied, “I’m going to keep your clothes overnight. Tell you mother she can come by tomorrow to pick them up.” So a bested Robert walked out into the waiting room...naked. His mother took him by the hand, led him down the hall, and out into the parking lot to their car. / The next morning Robert’s mother returned to the office for her son’s clothes and asked to speak to the conquering dentist. When he came out she said, “Doctor, I want to thank you for what you did to Robert yesterday. Since he was very young he has threatened us with a host of things if he did not get his way. We never called his bluff. But since you did, he has been a different child! (From Bad Beginnings to Happy Endings, by Ed Young, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publ., 1994), pp. 57-58.)

There will be times, in our stubbornness against God, that God will call our bluff and allow us to experience the results and consquences of our poor choices.

Sixteen starting players from Marquette Hight School in Alton, Ill., were arrested for underage drinking at a party. Some parents suggested that the coach not suspend the players. Mike Slaughter, the coach, said, "We stand for certain things. Kids have to be responsible for their actions." He suspended the players, and the 10-0 Explorers ended their season with a 63-0 loss in the playoffs. (World, 11-23-02, “accountability”).

These lessons can be very painful, but they are necessary for our spiritual growth and development.

Galatians 6:7-9 says, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. People reap what they sow. Those who sow to please their sinful nature, from that nature a will reap destruction; those who sow to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

If you practice selfishness, you will experience the selfishness of others. If you practice stinginess intead of generosity, you will experience the stinginess of others. If you practice violence or anger, you will experience the violence and anger of others. And in all of this, you will be teaching your children, who will go beyond you in the practice of your habit patterns. On the other hand, if you practice kindness, generosity, and forgiveness, these things you will experience from others and from God.

Even if you are a believer in Jesus Christ, who is blessed by God beyond what you deserve, God will do what it takes to transform your character. And sometimes what it takes is a little pain in our lives. God is more concerned about our transformation than our comfort.

Hebrews 12:5-7 says, “And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as children? It says, 'My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his child.' Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?”

Christian, don't presume on the blessing of God by ignoring that which pleases God. You may be blessed by God, but when you ignore what pleases God, you will suffer needlessly in the process of living your life. Of course, not all pain in life is a result of God trying to get your attention. Life on earth itself is difficult and at times painful. God can work his process of transformation through the pain you experience, because it can draw us closer to him.

Be a quick learner, and stay sensitive to the Spirit of God. Don't wait – deal with sins and sinful patterns now. When Jacob met Rachel at the well, God was obviously at work. But notice there was no prayer and no thanksgiving to God (as contrasted with Abraham's servant who journeyed here to find the wife for Isaac in Genesis 24). Stay connected so God can show you how he wants you to live.

Dennis Miller wrote, “Out of parental concern and a desire to teach our young son responsibility, we require him to phone home when he arrives at his friend's house a few blocks away. He began to forget, however, as he grew more confident in his ability to get there without disaster befalling him. The first time he forgot, I called to be sure he had arrived. We told him the next time it happened, he would have to come home. A few days later, however, the telephone again lay silent, and I knew if he was going to learn, he would have to be punished. BUT I DID NOT WANT TO PUNISH HIM! I went to the telephone, regretting that his great time would be spoiled by his lack of contact with his father. As I dialed, I prayed for wisdom. 'Treat him like I treat you,' the Lord seemed to say. With that, as the telephone rang one time, I hung up. A few seconds later the phone rang, and it was my son. 'I'm here, Dad!' I asked 'What took you so long to call?' 'We started playing and I forgot. But Dad, I heard the phone ring once and I remembered.' How often do we think of God as One who waits to punish us when we step out of line? I wonder how often he rings just once, hoping we will phone home.” (Bible.org, original source unknown)

God often gives us the invitation to get things right. Are you listening?