(Genesis) Genesis 31:38-41
Jacob's experience teaches us that we will reap what we sow and that God respects the rights of the firstborn.
In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Jacob and his experiences with his uncle Laban. The preacher highlights how Laban was a hard taskmaster, making Jacob work tirelessly without any breaks or rest. Jacob served Laban for twenty years, fourteen of which were for the sake of marrying Laban's daughters and six for his cattle. Throughout this time, Laban constantly changed Jacob's wages, showing his deceitful nature. The preacher emphasizes that Jacob's experiences were a result of his own past actions, particularly his deception of his father and his mercenary spirit. The sermon concludes with the reminder that whatever a person sows, they will also reap, as seen in Jacob's life.
Full Transcript
Now, will you listen to his complaint. Here is the course that he passed, and he's now getting his college degree, his degree from the College of Hard Knocks. And will you listen to this here, verse 38, This twenty years have I been with thee.
Thy ewes and thy she-goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten. In other words, he didn't even get his meals. He had to pay for that.
That which was torn of beasts I brought not unto thee, I bear the loss of it. Of my hand didst thou require it, whether stolen by day or stolen by night. And he couldn't even get any insurance.
When a lamb was stolen or killed by a wild animal, why, Jacob had to pay for it. Believe me, this Laban, he's a hard taskmaster, is he not? Now listen to him, verse 40, Thus I was in the day the drought consumed me. He didn't get a vacation in summer.
And the frost by night, and when it got cold, he still had to stay out with the sheep and with the animals. And my sleep departed from mine eyes. Many nights he had to watch to protect the flock.
Now listen to him, verse 41, Thus have I been twenty years in thy house. I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle, and thou hast changed my wages ten times. Here's what's happened to this man.
Here is the man that was clever, and this is the man that thought that he could get by with it. But actually he didn't get by with it. God didn't let him get by with it, because frankly, God has made it very clear.
Whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap. Jacob refused submission to God at home, and he now has to submit to his uncle. Jacob came to receive a wife and dignity, and he was made a servant, because God respects the rights of the firstborn.
And Jacob deceived his father, and he's deceived by his father-in-law. Jacob, the younger, became the older. He found out that he was given the oldest when he thought he was getting the younger.
He revealed a mercenary spirit that displayed in the way he got the birthright. And Jacob allowed his mother to cover his hands with the skins of goats. And later on we're going to see his own sons deceived him in the same way they killed a goat and dipped Joseph's coat of many colors in it.
He deceived his father about being the favorite son, and he was deceived about his favorite son, Joseph. God says, whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap.
Sermon Outline
- I. Jacob's Complaint
- A. He didn't even get his meals
- B. He had to pay for losses
- C. He didn't get a vacation
- II. Jacob's Service
- A. He served Laban for 14 years for his daughters
- B. He served Laban for 6 years for his cattle
- C. Laban changed his wages 10 times
Key Quotes
“Whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap.” — J. Vernon McGee
“He didn't even get his meals.” — J. Vernon McGee
“He didn't get a vacation in summer.” — J. Vernon McGee
Application Points
- We should be humble and submit to God's plan, rather than trying to manipulate and deceive others.
- Our actions have consequences and we will receive what we give out.
- We should respect the rights of others and not try to take advantage of them.