Post from Terry:

This blog is a chance for our families to communicate. I spend a lot of time preparing and presenting Bible lessons for an adult Sunday school class. Let me know if they are helpful.

“When It’s Time to Move” – Genesis 29:1-31:55 – March 9, 2008

How do you know when the timing is right for a move? How do you know when it is time to move to a new home, to a new area, a new job, new family, new friends, new culture, and new customs? Circumstances govern so many of our decisions. Decisions are often made for us. But since God is in control of the circumstances is it possible for us to recognize “the handwriting on the wall” and know when it’s time to move?

Some of the circumstances that led to Jacob’s decision to move were:

I. Marriage issues. Rachel and Leah’s unbridled rivalry for Jacob’s attention and love, Gen 29:15-30:25. Rachel tried to earn Jacob’s love – something she already had.

II. Spiritual issues. Spiritual failures in the family, Gen 29:31-30:24 (jealousy, anger), “…the spiritual failures of Jacob’s family later resulted in rivalries among Israelite tribes,” (Life Application Bible).

III. Family issues. Grumblings among the family over Jacob’s success, Gen 31:1-3. Laban’s sons were unable to rejoice at the success of their brother-in-law (see Romans 12:15).

IV. Work issues. Years of drudgery, affliction and deception. Jacob’s work ethic compared to Laban’s constantly changing his wages. “Jacob made it a habit to do more than was expected of him,” (Life Application Bible). When we are at work and do more than is expected we should understand that:
• “it pleases God.
• it earns recognition and advancement.
• it enhances your reputation.
• it builds confidence in you.
• it gives you more experience and knowledge.
• it develops your spiritual maturity,” (Life Application Bible).

V. Personality issues. Reaping the measure of his own (Jacob’s) duplicity. Superficial generosity (Laban), cp. Gen 30:28 with Gen 31:7. “…superficial generosity should not be mistaken for genuine goodness,” (The MacArthur Bible Commentary. John MacArthur). Laban was attempting to get Jacob to stay and he was once again being deceptive.

VI. Emotional issues. Feelings of indignation (cf. Ps 7:11 ESV “God is a righteous judge, and a God who feels indignation every day.”)

Ultimately it came down to this. God said to Jacob, “Go back home where you were born. I’ll go with you,” Gen 31:3 (The Message).

I used the following illustration titled "Eagle's Nest." "Though many of us have seen pictures of a huge eagle's nest high in the branches of a tree or in the crag of a cliff, few of us have gotten a glimpse inside. When a mother eagle builds her nest she starts with thorns, broken branches, sharp rocks, and a number of other items that seem entirely unsuitable for the project. But then she lines the nest with a thick padding of wool, feathers, and fur from animals she has killed, making it soft and comfortable for the eggs. By the time the growing birds reach flying age, the comfort of the nest and the luxury of free meals make them quite reluctant to leave. That's when the mother eagle begins 'stirring up the nest." With her strong talons she begins pulling up the thick carpet of fur and feathers, bringing the sharp rocks and branches to the surface. As more of the bedding gets plucked up, the nest becomes more uncomfortable for the young eagles. Eventually, this and other urgings prompt the growing eagles to leave their once-comfortable abode and move on to more mature behavior. Today in the Word, June 11, 1989"