Today’s Reading: Genesis 29:16-30

When morning came, there was Leah! So he said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Wasn’t it for Rachel that I worked for you? Why have you deceived me?”

Genesis 29:25

Meditation: God works even in the midst of calamity. The story of Jacob includes a manipulative uncle, 14 years of servant labor, and two sisters, one unwanted and the other left unmarried for seven years. Jacob is the grandson of Abraham, destined to be blessed by God according to the covenant God made with Abraham. Yet, the problems in this family can be immediately detected, and the marriage of Jacob to two sisters who are competing for his attention bring strife and pain to all involved. Strained relationships between Laban and the rest of his family will also manifest later on in their story. But even in the midst of these struggles, God brings together blessing and purpose in their lives.

It is through Jacob and his family that the famous Twelve Tribes of Israel are established. And it is through Leah, the unwanted wife, that God brings forth many sons for Jacob including Levi, whose descendants become the priestly people of Israel, and Judah, whose line extends to Jesus the Messiah. While the presence of greed, deceit and neglect of people continue to cause destruction and hardship, no situation ever becomes too far gone for God to redeem.

There is always hope in God and His faithfulness to His people. Within the stories of God’s love for His covenant people, and His work on the cross through Jesus, His adoption of the faithful into His family, God meets the wickedness of human sin, our sin, and works within it to restore and save what was once lost. In the midst of all trials, even ones we experience by our own hands, when we seek God to take our pains, we can depend on Him to help us, restore us, and bring about something beautiful.

Prayer:  LORD, I praise You for Your ability to work all things for Your glory and my good. Thank You for all You have done for my salvation. Thank You for continuing to do a perfect work in me. Help me to see more clearly the work of Your hands in all situations as I draw near to You. In Jesus’ Name, AMEN.

Thru the Bible in a year (credit: Biblestudytools.com): Luke 17; Genesis 29:1-30; Psalm 22