Day 3

Scripture to Read: Genesis 31:17-42

As we continue in Genesis 31 today, we see that Jacob leaves with his family, and Rachel steals one of her father's idols. God does not tell us why Rachel stole the idols; we just know they were false gods from Laban's house. Here in Genesis 31, we see the trouble brought upon the family because Rachel stole these household gods. Another idol is also revealed here in Genesis 31 in Laban's pursuit of Jacob and his family. Laban feared he would lose the blessings he had been receiving due to God blessing Jacob. Remember, an idol is anything we are willing to sin for to get it. Through Laban's life, we clearly see that clinging to false gods results in nothing but trouble. Now, in Genesis 31:24, God comes to Laban in a dream and says, "Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad." What a beautiful picture of God continually protecting Jacob and his family. After Laban accused Jacob of stealing his household gods (though Rachel did), Jacob rebukes Laban and points to how God has been there for him in Genesis 31:42. God had continually protected and preserved Jacob. God is teaching us today that we, at times, have clung to false idols and household gods. HOW? We have loved other things more than our LORD. God in His mercy offers us His grace through our Lord Jesus Christ. May we always recognize our LORD's protection of us and how He has preserved our lives so that we may live for Him.

Challenge & Application

1. What does this passage teach us about what happens when we cling to false gods instead of the one true God? 2. What are you willing to sin to get? Confess that idol to God.

Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!

Devotionals from this week

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Day 1

Genesis 30:25-43 highlights both the blessing of God and the heart of Laban. In Genesis 30:42-43, we see our LORD bless Jacob with a stronger, more substantial flock than Laban's. We must remember God's promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:3, that God will bless those who bless Abraham and his offspring, and God will curse those who curse Abraham...

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Day 2

Yesterday, we finished with God increasing Jacob's flocks in the face of Laban's deception. In today's devotion, we'll take a closer look and see how God is at work in everything that has been happening in Jacob's life. Wrongly accused by Laban and his sons of stealing, Jacob hears from our LORD that it is time to return to his homeland. As J...

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Day 3

As we continue in Genesis 31 today, we see that Jacob leaves with his family, and Rachel steals one of her father's idols. God does not tell us why Rachel stole the idols; we just know they were false gods from Laban's house. Here in Genesis 31, we see the trouble brought upon the family because Rachel stole these household gods. Another idol...

Read

Day 4

In today's devotion, we see a covenant made between Jacob and Laban. While Laban claimed everything Jacob had was his, Laban does suggest to Jacob that the two of them should make a covenant. This covenant would be a promise that neither of them would seek to harm the other from that day forward. The covenant between Jacob and Laban was meant...

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Day 5

As we begin Genesis 32, we find Jacob had exchanged one family issue for another. Although Jacob said goodbye to Laban, he now prepared to reunite with his brother Esau. In God's grace, God sent angels to meet with Jacob, and Jacob was comforted with our Lord's presence. Genesis 32 describes Jacob's preparations for his meeting with Esau. Jac...

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Day 6

In today's devotion, we see that Jacob comes face-to-face with God before he meets with his brother Esau. After Jacob sent the rest of his family ahead of him, he wrestled with a man. Jacob wrestled with no ordinary man, but he wrestled with God in the flesh, our Lord Jesus Christ. Jacob wrestled all night and seemed to have the upper hand un...

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Day 7

As we close out with Genesis 33:1-17 today, we see that Jacob and Esau's relationship has been marked by division, deception, and a desire to kill. While their descendants continue to this day to be marked by division, Genesis 33:1-17 shows us a relationship between Jacob and Esau that gives us hope, which today is found in the gospel. Jacob ...

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