Today we're in Exodus 30-32: Ah, the old sin of envy rears it's ugly head. In chapter 30 when Leah gives Jacob three son's and her sister Rachel remains barren the trouble begins. There arises a competition to see who can bare the most sons for Jacob. Another layer of the onion is that Leah knows, Rachel is the most beloved of Jacob and is striving for that spot in Jacob's heart, and Rachel who is still barren after her sister has given Jacob three sons, has become envious. Rachel actually strikes out a Jacob and said to Jacob, "give me children or else I die!" (30:1) Jacob's response, "Am I in the place of God, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?" Poor Jacob, he's just stuck in the middle. The competition continues with both women bringing their maids to Jacob to bare more children. Isn't that just like human nature?

Does anyone out there know what a mandrake is? I had never heard of it until I read this passage. It's very interesting. You will read about the mandrake in (30:14) when Reuben , the son of Leah, brings them to his mother. When Rachel finds out she has them the competition heats up. You see, both women are now barren, they have both given Jacob maids to bare him sons, and the mandrake can help them to continue the competition.

The mandrake is a small plant that blooms in the spring and has roots resembling a person's legs. It was by reputation an aphrodisiac; or aid to physical passion. Both of these women bore sons again for Jacob. However, this was not the work of a love potion, so don't go looking for mandrakes, ladies!! This was God's plan, fulfilled. The Bible of course gives God the glory for the sons that were subsequently given to Jacob (30:17) for Leah, and (30:22) for Rachel. Maybe this was God's way of restoring peace to the household.
It seems to have worked because the family stays together. One of the sons who was born to Rachel was named Joseph. (we will see him again)

In the remainder of this chapter, God continues to bless Jacob and he in turn blesses Laban through Jacob. It is time for Jacob, Rachel, Leah and their children to leave the house of Laban. Of course, Laban knows that God has blessed him because of Jacobs faithfulness and hard work. After all, Jacob has now worked for over 20 years for Laban. In (30:25-43) Jacob fulfills his final agreement with Laban. His wages for working for Laban for the 20 years are all the animals that are stripped, spotted, speckled or brown. So, Jacob took them and gave them special treatment (30:37-43). His flocks became the stronger.
The Bible says "Thus the man became exceedingly prosperous." speaking of Jacob. (30:43)

Chapter 31:
Jacob knew it was time to leave when he overheard Laban's son "Jacob has taken away all that was our father's, and from what was our father's he has acquired all this wealth." (31:1) This must have been discussed between Laban and his sons, because Jacob sees that Laban is not treating him favorably any more. (31:2) So, he tells, his family and servants to prepare to leave.
While Laban had gone to shear the sheep, Rachel took the household idols and put them in her saddle bag to hide them.(31:19) So Jacob took his family, servants and all his possessions and left without telling Laban.

Laban didn't know for three days that they had left and of course he wasn't happy at all. He goes after Jacob (31:23). When he catches up to him and they discuss the situation.(30:25-30) Laban accuses Jacob of stealing the idols from his house and a search ensues. Jacob tells Laban that whoever took the idols should be put to death and a search takes place. They are not found and Rachel is spared. (30:31-35) The remainder of the chapter deals with the two men coming to an agreement and Laban leaves to go back home. God has preserved Jacob and his family and Laban has blessed them to continue on their journey.

Chapter 32:
Remember how things were left between Jacob and Esau his brother.
Jacob has fled for his life and has not seen Esau since then. So, he sends a servant to his brother asking that he may find favor with him and come to see him. The servant returns to tell Jacob that not only is Esau coming out to meet him, but he is also bringing four hundred men with him. You can imagine what Jacob must be thinking now, he fears for his life!! So, he divided the people and all the flocks and herds into two groups. He thought that if Esau attacked one group the other could get away safely (32:6-8) Then he began to pray and ask God to intervene for safety. And he put together a present for Esau from his flocks and herds, hoping to appease his brother. (32:9-21).
Genesis 32:22-Jacob wrestles with God.

It is so like us to try and manipulate a situation to fit what our feeble minds are conceiving might happen. Here is Jacob. The last thing God said to him before he left the house of Laban was "I will be with you." Yet he fails to fully trust God. He fears man (Esau) more than he trust God. We are so much the same!!
Though God has given us promise after promise in his word that he will "never leave us or forsake us" he is "ever present in our time of need" he "loves us with an everlasting love" and they go on and on. But yet we still choose to live in fear. Oh, that God would give us a heart so filled with his spirit that we can do nothing except trust Him.

This is my prayer for today. Lord, as I leave my home, the place where I feel safe and warm, fill me with your spirit. Help me to trust you in every situation today. Remind me that you are the one who has made me, preserved me,
blessed me, and continues to sustain me. I love you. Amen