Time to Move

O.T.#64  "Time to Move"
June 7, 2013
Genesis 31-Part 1
Whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do.  Genesis 31:16b

LET IT GLOW

Years ago, my mother was having a hard time adjusting to my father's death, so we moved in with
her for the summer to help her. I knew it was getting close for the time to move, so I searched for
a teaching job in another region of the state that was closer to the seminary in order for my husband
to attend. Three schools called to set up interviews with me. Mom told them I wasn't interested, so
I had to call and correct that misinformation. Needless to say, she didn't want us to leave, but it was time for us to go. It was difficult, but God had other plans for us and we had to follow Him. Jacob was at that point in his life. Are you ready to read about it?

We left Jacob with his striped, spotted, and speckled herd and flock of animals. The man increased exceedingly (30:43) Don't you expect Laban and his sons to be jealous over Jacob's prosperity? It happened. Laban was his usual conniving self, looking out for his own welfare, always scheming.
So the Lord told Jacob to return to the land of Canaan and He would be with him. Jacob talked to Rachel and Leah about their father and about leaving. Laban had changed Jacob's wages 10 times (verse 7). The two wives gave good advice-whatever God said to you, do (verse 16).

God reminded Jacob of his Bethel vow. The backslider now had to return and fulfill his promises to the Lord who had blessed him.
Three factors entered into Jacob's decision to leave:

1. the changed attitude of Laban
2. the need for establishing his own home
3. the direct leading of the Lord.   (Wiersbe)

When Jacob sought to leave at the end of his contract (30:25), it was not right in God's timing. Now
it was, so god directed Jacob's departure, and in confirmation, assured him of His presence. So after another six years, it was time to go (verses 38-41). In the privacy of an open field, Jacob's plans could be confidentially shared with his wives. Laban's wage changes were intended to cripple Jacob's
enterprise, but God had intervened by blocking the intended hurt (verse 7) and overriding the wage changes with great prosperity (verse 9).  (MacArthur)

If we are serving God, He will take care of us. Have you experienced this?

LET IT GROW

It seems like Jacob had had enough of Laban. Jacob got his marching orders and march was what
he was going to do-march right out of Laban's life, taking his two daughters and a passel of grandchildren with him. The gals agreed that God had intervened and refunded what their father had wrongfully withheld and spent. Their inheritance was in Canaan, not where their father and brother were.
The gals must have packed up quickly. The clan high tailed it out of Dodge, so to speak. They didn't say any good-byes or give any kisses. I doubt that any tears were shed at this move. It was time to
go and that was exactly what they did, without dear old dad knowing.

Sometimes hasty decisions are okay to carry out. When God moves, we are to move. Don't linger
in the valley of decision too long. The road of hesitation can be painful.  Anyone need to go back
to their spiritual Bethel, where you sold out to God? Are we doing God's will? Are we serving in
the place His has for us to serve?

LET IT GO

Leave the past in the past and follow Jesus today.

Get on my way with Jesus.

Be willing to move when He says go.