21/11/2021 - LABAN KNEW ALL THE THINGS

• 
• 
• 
• 

Then it came to pass, when Laban heard the report about Jacob his sister’s son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him and kissed him, and brought him to his house. So he told Laban all these things. Genesis 29.13

Rachel proved to be a good person, for as soon as she met Jacob, she left to tell her family about it. There was nothing wrong in what happened. The Most High Himself was in charge of guiding the steps of His servant, who needed to find his better half in his mother’s family, according to Isaac’s direction. Here is the commandment: “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you (Exodus 20.12). Jacob did this!

A man who was possessed by a legion of demons and soon returned to normality – he wished to follow Jesus, but the Master would not allow him, because he was to report to his family, friends and neighbors the great things God had done for him (Luke 8.38,39). This is what happened in Rachel’s little heart. First, she wanted her family members to know the surprise granted by the Lord, especially her father and mother.

In the 1980s, in Bahia, there was a doctor over 80 years old named Samuel, whom I had the pleasure of meeting and with whom I had dinner along with his family. He told me that the faith in Jesus in his home began with an uncle, who attended a service in the town square of Vitoria da Conquista and accepted Jesus. After two months, he felt he had to share his faith with his family, so he traveled another two months on horseback just to tell them the Good News.

As a result, they all received the Lord, and a Baptist church was born in that region.  When I heard about his uncle’s trip, I was moved and asked how he managed to sleep, and the doctor told me that his family members said that he asked to stay on the farms, and it was customary for him to be assisted. He made that “sacrifice” – just to tell them about the salvation he had found. Have we done something similar? That is loving God!

After hearing the news, Laban ran to meet the unknown nephew, for he wanted to see what God was doing. Every Christian should go out into the world to preach the Gospel to the lost. This will not be in vain… The Lord will lead us to those who still do not know Him. The Word says: But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (1 Timothy 5.8).

Laban acted within the Lord’s will when he hurried to see Jacob, showing that he had the divine testimony about the facts. Rachel’s father embraced him, welcoming him; kissed him, accepting him as part of the family, and then took him to his home. So much was happening to Jacob! But he knew that God opened the way for him. Now, if the Father is not in our affairs, we will not be well. Watch and pray!

In contrast, Jacob opened his heart and told all that had occurred to him since the day his father called him and sent him there. He reported his experience in Luz (Genesis 28.18-22), as well as the things revealed by God and his reply to the Lord. Hallelujah!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares