Redeemer Church of Oklahoma City

And Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the hill country, and Laban with his kinsmen pitched tents in the hill country of Gilead. And Laban said to Jacob, “What have you done, that you have tricked me and driven away my daughters like captives of the sword? Why did you flee secretly and trick me, and did not tell me, so that I might have sent you away with mirth and songs, with tambourine and lyre? And why did you not permit me to kiss my sons and my daughters farewell? Now you have done foolishly. It is in my power to do you harm. But the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, ‘Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.’ And now you have gone away because you longed greatly for your father’s house, but why did you steal my gods?” Jacob answered and said to Laban, “Because I was afraid, for I thought that you would take your daughters from me by force. Anyone with whom you find your gods shall not live. In the presence of our kinsmen point out what I have that is yours, and take it.” Now Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them. –Genesis 31:25-32

Laban exploited Jacob and his daughters for 20 years and still experienced God’s blessing because of Jacob’s favored status with the Lord. Laban must have thought that he was sowing deceit and manipulation, but reaping blessing, i.e., he thought he was getting away with it. But, don’t be deceived, God is not mocked. In the end, usually later than we might like, but in God’s perfect timing the tables are turned. Jacob and his wives depart with riches and triumph majestically over Laban without a violent act. Laban’s greed robs him, leaving him without wealth or daughters and their children.

God warns Laban directly, but Laban does exactly what God told him not to do. Such is the way sin works because Laban wants his household gods much more than his son-in-law, daughters, and grandchildren.

Jacob left the land of his father with nothing and was blessed by God even in terrible hardships, just as Jesus left behind the glories of heaven and for our sakes went out into the wilderness of the sin-stricken world with nothing. Jacob faced temptations and trials (of course, he resorted to deceit and trickery and idols), but Jesus faced temptation and trials and was perfect in them. God rescues Jacob from the “world” and gets him back to the Promised Land in spite of his sin. God raises Jesus from the “world” and gets him back to the Promised Land because he had no sin, but was made sin for all of us who resort to deceit and trickery and idols. Neither one of these lives are the way we would have done it if we were running the world! God alone has the glory.

And that’s the gospel! Come hear it preached and enacted in the supper with Jesus this Sunday.

The related hymns we’ll sing are:
Our God, Our Help in Ages Past
Breathe On Me, Breath of God
Lead On, O King Eternal

LADIES’ FELLOWSHIP
The Redeemer ladies will enjoy seeing The Jerusalem Collection exhibit Saturday, July 24, 10:00 am at the Oklahoma Heritage Museum. Lunch will follow afterwards at the Prairie Thunder Baking Company. RSVP here. All ladies are invited.

SUNDAY SCHOOL
Sunday school for children (in Genesis) and adults (in Galatians) is continues. Coffee and other treats are served at 9:15, teaching begins at 9:30, and we break to get ready for worship at 10:15. 

Visitors are always welcome!