READING: Genesis 31-32, Matthew 9:18-3
“. . . but why have you stolen my gods?" Genesis 31:30
It’s such a contrast that it’s hard to miss in today’s reading. Jacob and his family had secretly left Laban, but they did not leave empty-handed. Rather, Rachel stole her father’s household gods. Likely some kind of man-made figurines, these idols were apparently small enough and powerless enough that Rachel could conceal them. If it weren’t, in fact, so tragic that she held on to the gods, it would be almost comical: “Now Rachel had taken Laban’s household idols, put them in the saddlebag of the camel, and sat on them” (Gen. 31:34). The gods were, it seems, entirely helpless. As one writer has said, “If you make your gods or buy your gods, then they become vulnerable.”*
Meanwhile, the God of Jacob walked with Jacob, protected him, blessed him, called him to return to his homeland, and even warned Laban against hindering him in any way. Laban’s gods could be hidden, but Jacob’s God made Himself known. Jacob was hardly worthy of such grace and guidance, but his God was the covenant-keeping God of Abraham and Isaac. Jacob’s descendants would indeed be “like the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted” (Gen. 32:12). Through Jacob’s line would come Jesus Christ, the Redeemer who healed the sick, raised the dead, drove out demons, and proclaimed the gospel of the kingdom (Matt. 9:18-35).
Today, I think of people around the world who still worship gods they make with their own hands – gods that are worshipped even while they sometimes rest on a corner shelf in a home. That kind of worship seems so hard to understand – silly, in fact – were it not for the reality of a supernatural enemy who seeks to keep people in darkness. Such great deception it is when people worship gods who cannot see, hear, speak, love, or forgive!
The folly of holding on to gods that can be stolen, hidden, and even sat upon should not lead us to laughter; it should bring us to tears.
ACTION STEPS:
- Learn about an unreached people group at The Joshua Project, and pray for them.
- Consider the lostness of a family member or friend who may not worship a figurine, but who is equally deceived. Again, intercede on that person’s behalf.
PRAYER: “God, break my heart over the lostness of the world.”
TOMORROW'S READING: Genesis 33-35, Matthew 10:1-20
*Elwell, W. A. (1995). Evangelical Commentary on the Bible (Vol. 3, Ge 31:22). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.