Genesis 31:25 - 35

25 Jacob had pitched his tent in the hill country of Gilead when Laban overtook him, and Laban and his relatives camped there too. 26 Then Laban said to Jacob, “What have you done? You’ve deceived me, and you’ve carried off my daughters like captives in war. 27 Why did you run off secretly and deceive me? Why didn’t you tell me, so I could send you away with joy and singing to the music of timbrels and harps? 28 You didn’t even let me kiss my grandchildren and my daughters goodbye. You have done a foolish thing. 29 I have the power to harm you; but last night the God of your father said to me, ‘Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.’ 30 Now you have gone off because you longed to return to your father’s household. But why did you steal my gods?”

31 Jacob answered Laban, “I was afraid, because I thought you would take your daughters away from me by force. 32 But if you find anyone who has your gods, that person shall not live. In the presence of our relatives, see for yourself whether there is anything of yours here with me; and if so, take it.” Now Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the gods. 33 So Laban went into Jacob’s tent and into Leah’s tent and into the tent of the two female servants, but he found nothing. After he came out of Leah’s tent, he entered Rachel’s tent. 34 Now Rachel had taken the household gods and put them inside her camel’s saddle and was sitting on them. Laban searched through everything in the tent but found nothing. 35 Rachel said to her father, “Don’t be angry, my lord, that I cannot stand up in your presence; I’m having my period.” So he searched but could not find the household gods.

New International Version (NIV)

Schopenhauer said we are porcupines huddling together in the cold. We need to get close to each other to survive, but when we do it is often painful. This is an apt description of many families. We love our people, but we also feel intense emotions when there is betrayal or deception.

Jacob and Laban were porcupines. Jacob took his wives and kids and left under cover of darkness.  Laban was angry to lose his family and possessions. Most of all he was angry to lose his household gods. As he set out to take revenge, the Lord appeared to him and told him to leave Jacob alone. He submitted to the Lord’s teaching, but he wanted his gods back. Rachel had deceived Jacob and now she deceived Laban. She hid the gods that she had stolen. Do we see the irony? Laban encountered the one true God who spoke to him, but he still wanted those idols. 

Sincere question:  if gods can be lost or stolen and must be found, how helpful are they? John Calvin said our hearts are idol-making factories. How do we know what our gods are? What makes us angry or distraught when it is taken away? What is our first thought each day and last thought each night?  What occupies our thoughts when we sit still? God alone deserves our worship. Carefully consider:  what is most important to you? What if it were taken away? Today as we pray, we encounter the one true God. In his presence, we may release all the things which usurp his place and throne in our lives. 

Pray with me the words of a hymn:

Lord Jesus, we long to be perfectly whole; we want Thee forever to live in my soul,
Break down every idol, cast out every foe; Now wash us and we shall be whiter than snow. 
Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow,
Now wash us, and we shall be whiter than snow.

In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. 

Our Monday through Friday devotionals are in the book of Genesis this year. Join us for these devotionals as we learn together about our God and his Kingdom in the world.  

We also invite you to join us as we read through the Bible. Copies of the reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download your copy here:

2025 Bible Reading Plan

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