Title [Genesis 30:1-2] Jacob's Faith
Title: Jacob's Faith
1. He was a believer who recognized the absolute sovereignty of God (2).
2. He was a believer who helped others to be blessed (27).
Jacob asked Laban to send Rachel to his hometown when Joseph was born. What Laban said to Jacob at that time is important. “I know that the Lord has blessed me because of you; if you find me lovable, stay still.” We should not be jealous and jealous of others being blessed. Rather, we should celebrate and thank God for blessing us. However, the most important thing is to take pride in the fact that your neighbors will be blessed because of you and work hard to receive more blessings. The command to Abraham, “You shall be a blessing” is the command and mission given to all of us.
①If I do something that will be blessed by God, God will bless all those who are related to me. Genesis 39:5 says, “From the time he made Joseph over his house and all that he had, the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake, and the LORD’s blessing was on all that he had in his house and in his fields. Zira,” he said. This is a record of the fact that Potiphar, the leader of Pharaoh's guard, was blessed because of Joseph. Saints must fulfill this role in all areas of society. But if my neighbors are ruined because of me, how will I bear the responsibility? Therefore, I must first live to be blessed.
② We should live a life of praying for good for our neighbors. Many saints pray for blessings for themselves or those related to them. But we do not pray for those who are unrelated or in a bad relationship. That's wrong. Jesus said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). Paul also taught, “Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse” (Romans 12:14). We should be all of us who bless our neighbors by praying for them.
③ Neighbors should also be able to be blessed on their own. It means you need to help them come back to God. We all have a mission to preach the gospel so that we can receive Jesus as our Savior and become children of God. In order to receive blessings on your own, you must first come to the Lord, and then you must lead a right life of faith. Some of the saints are still not mature enough to receive blessings on their own, but I hope their faith will mature soon. Also, I earnestly hope that all the members of the church will work hard for evangelism.
3. He was a believer who did his best (37-42).
Jacob and Laban set wages and worked hard, crafting wisdom in his own way. God gave Jacob this abundant material (43). The act of praying without working is an unhealthy act of faith. A person who prays must work hard in order to get what he prayed for. “If you do not want to work, do not eat,” Paul taught (2 Thess. 3:10). Those who believe in Jesus must be diligent. You have to work hard. Laziness and indolence are sins. God never blesses them. Jacob was diligent. Wisdom was squeezed for income. Although there is a negative aspect of his actions being artificial, it is something we should imitate in doing our best in our own way. Let's all become all of us who lead a righteous life of faith like Jacob, who acknowledged and obeyed God's sovereignty, blessed others, and worked hard in the field of life.