Humans

In fact, if the God of my father had not been on my side—the God of Abraham and the fearsome God of Isaac—you would have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen your abuse and my hard work. That is why he appeared to you last night and rebuked you!” [Genesis 31.42]

Jacob's statement to Laban was intense!

I know that not everything said or done in the Bible is what we need to say or do. It is just a record of what was said or done for our benefit. It is our responsibility to discern all these characters of the Bible and whether or not what they did was indeed correct or incorrect in the sight of God.

In most cases, the Bible is clear when characters were out of line. But, in others, we have record of situations that may not be so clearly defined as right or wrong.

Just because someone in the Bible is on record of having done something does not make it right! The proof is in the results (in the absence of God's direct response). We are given the record of the Bible so that we might learn the Ways of God ourselves based on the stories the Bible gives. But, it still does not always make discernment easy.

For example, was Jacob right or wrong in his deception of Isaac regarding the blessing of the firstborn? I know - I know - God's plan was seen through it, but was that deception actually ordained of God? We must be very careful how we answer that question because God's character is in question!

I am so amazed how the Bible provides so much information and then, provides so much more. The more we learn from it, the more there remains to be learned.

Back to the scripture above...

Regardless of what got Jacob and Laban to the impasse reported in Genesis 31.42, there is an element of faith and confidence in God that Jacob boldly declares. I don't know if Jacob ever felt guilty about any of his deception, but here, in this verse, Jacob had great confidence in God and said as much.

Is there a lesson for us here? I think so. We are human and we do a lot of stupid things. Anyone who has read much of my own writings and responses to the Bible would quickly see that I myself struggle with wrong attitudes. But that does not mean that God is not at work in my life! Yes. Thank God.

Perhaps that is one of the great lessons of the Bible: that God uses humans. He always has and always will. And, thank God for Jesus, Who, makes it possible!

Father, I know I have had many questions about the actions of Biblical characters in my years of reading the Bible. Thank You that I don't have to see that they were always perfect! Thank You that their lives give hope to my life - that through human imperfection, the glory of Christ still was heralded to the world.