Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Restitution

He took away his brother's birthright. Then he received the blessings intended for his brother. His brother was upset enough to want to kill him. He fled home for a foreign land. He fell in love. He asked to marry his beloved but was deceived into consummating marriage with her elder sister instead because his father-in-law had deliberately swapped his bride on the wedding night. For love's sake, he served his father-in-law another seven years to marry the woman whom he loved. To build up his assets, he served his father-in-law for six more years. His name was Jacob, son of Isaac, son of Abraham.

Jacob learned that Laban's sons were talking behind his back: "Jacob has used our father's wealth to make himself rich at our father's expense." At the same time, Jacob noticed that Laban had changed toward him. He wasn't treating him the same. That's when God said to Jacob, "Go back home where you were born. I'll go with you." Genesis 31:1-3 the Message. Then Jacob rose and set his sons and his wives on camels. And he carried away all his livestock and all his possessions which he had gained, his acquired livestock which he had gained in Padan Aram, to go to his father Isaac in the land of Canaan. Genesis 31:17-18 NKJV. And Jacob stole away, unknown to Laban the Syrian, in that he did not tell him that he intended to flee. So he fled with all that he had. He arose and crossed the river, and headed toward the mountains of Gilead. Genesis 31:20-21 NKJV.

He fled for the second time in his life. This time for home. When his father-in-law, Laban the Syrian, found out that Jacob had packed up all his possessions, livestock and ran away with his family, he took men with him and gave chase. But God had come to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said to him, "Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad." Genesis 31:24 NKJV. God held Laban's conscience in check. Laban and his men caught up with Jacob's camp and he accused Jacob of stealing away. "It is in my power to do you harm, but the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, 'Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad.' Genesis 31:29 NKJV.

Jacob's defense."In the twenty years I've worked for you, ewes and she-goats never miscarried. I never feasted on the rams from your flock. I never brought you a torn carcass killed by wild animals but that I paid for it out of my own pocket - actually, you made me pay whether it was my fault or not. I was out in all kinds of weather, from torrid heat to freezing cold, putting in many a sleepless night. For twenty years I've done this: I slaved away for fourteen years for your two daughters and another six years for your flock and you changed my wages ten times. If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not stuck with me, you would have sent me off penniless. But God saw the fix I was in and how hard I had worked and last night rendered his verdict." Genesis 31:38-42 The Message.

Well aware of his own incriminations against Jacob, Laban quickly sought a peace pact. Laban continued to Jacob, "This monument of stones and this stone pillar that I have set up is a witness, a witness that I won't cross the line to hurt you and you won't cross the line to hurt me. The God of Abraham and the God of Nahor (the God of their ancestor) will keep things straight between us."

Jacob made good the opportunity to restore the equilibrium in his relationship with Laban, despite the fact that Laban had cheated and taken advantage of him over and over again for twenty years. Jacob promised, swearing by the Fear, the God of his father Isaac. Then Jacob offered a sacrifice on the mountain and worshiped, calling in all his family members to the meal. They ate and slept that night on the mountain. Laban got up early the next morning, kissed his grandchildren and his daughters, blessed them, and then set off for home. Genesis 31:51-55 The Message.

So Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. When Jacob saw them, he said, "This is God's camp." And he called the name of that place Mahanaim (Double Camp). Then Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother in the land of Seir, the country of Edom. And he commanded them, saying, "Speak thus to my lord Esau, "Thus your servant Jacob says: "I have dwelt with Laban and stayed there until now. "I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, and male and female servants; and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find favour in your sight. " ' " Wait a minute. Wasn't this the conniver who took away his brother's birthright? The one who resorted to dishonest means to obtain the blessings that were due his brother? This rendering of appeasement did not add up to his past.

So he lodged there that same night, and took what came to his hand as a present for Esau his brother. Genesis 32:13 NKJV. "I will appease him with the present that goes before me, and afterward I will see his face; perhaps he will accept me." Genesis 32:20 NKJV. Now Jacob lifted his eyes and looked, and there, Esau was coming, and with him were four hundred men. So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two maidservants. And he put the maidservants and their children in front, Leah and her children behind, and Rachel and Joseph last. Then he crossed over before them and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother. But Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept. Genesis 33:1-4 NKJV.

Then Esau said, "What do you mean by all this company which I met?" And he said, "These are to find favour in the sight of my lord." But Esau said, "I have enough, my brother; keep what you have for yourself." "Please take my blessing that is brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough." Genesis 33:8-9, 11. NKJV.
He expected retribution but was greeted with kindness. He expected rejection but was greeted with acceptance. He left home a supplanter but returned as Israel, Prince with God. His name was Israel, son of Isaac, son of Abraham.

Restitution, the act of restoring to the rightful owner something that has been taken away, lost, or surrendered. The act of making good or compensating for loss, damage, or injury; indemnification. A return to or restoration of a previous state or position. An act of man wrapped with the love of God and extended by His grace. For Jacob, the attitude transformed his heart; the act transformed his life. He became a new man, he became Israel. What about you and I? What will the will and act of restitution release into our hearts, lives and characters?

Think, Pray, Act,

Sv ".+
For B Ed

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