The Cheater is Cheated

*Genesis 29-30

Proverbs 15

Matthew 7

– Devotion by Steve Mattison (IN)

Jacob had run for his life to get away from his brother, Esau, whom he had cheated.  In Genesis 29, Jacob arrived in Padan Aram, his mother’s ancestral home, and went to a well.  Jacob was there not only to get away from his brother but also to look for a wife.  This was his lucky day.  He found his first cousin, Rachel, at the well.

After Rachel told her dad, Laban, he invited Jacob to live with them and work for him.  After spending a month working for Laban, Jacob’s uncle, Laban asked what wages Jacob would like as he continued to work.  In Genesis 29:18, we’re told, “Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, ‘I’ll work for you seven years in return for your daughter Rachel.’”  (Remember, he had only known her for one month when he said this!)  Jacob must have been head over heels in love, because in Genesis 29:20, we read, “So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.”

At the end of the seven years, Laban held a big wedding celebration. When Jacob woke up the next morning, Rachel’s older sister, Leah, was lying beside him.  Laban had tricked Jacob into marrying the wrong sister!  After complaining to Laban, Jacob agreed to work another 7 years for the wife he really wanted, and married her a week later.

Jacob had tricked his father and had cheated his brother.  Now, Jacob was tricked by his father-in-law, who would continue to cheat Jacob repeatedly for 20 years.

This is an example of a principle that we see demonstrated throughout scripture, and we see in our lives today.  Galatians 6:7 says, “Do not be deceived, God cannot be mocked.  A man reaps what he sows.”  

In his early life, Jacob was opportunistic and deceitful – only looking out for himself.  After working for Laban for 20 years of hardships, Jacob grew to recognize he didn’t have to cheat to get ahead, but understood that God was looking out for him (See Genesis 31:38–42).

This isn’t just a story about a historical character and his family.  These principles still hold true for us today.  Even though God will forgive us when we confess our sins (1 John 1:9), we will still suffer from the natural consequences of our actions.

There is an easier way.  We can save ourselves a lot of pain and trouble by just following God from the start.  But we each have to make that choice for ourselves.  What’s your choice?

Reflection Questions

1. You might not have tricked your father or cheated your brother or son-in-law in such grandiose ways as Jacob and Laban did, but carefully consider your ways. Are there times you have been at least slightly deceptive or not totally truthful in trying to make yourself look better, others look worse, or get what you want?
2. Have you seen the “reap what you sow” principle in someone else’s life? Did it help them or hurt them? Why? How about in your life? What have you been reaping and why? What are you currently sowing?
3. In what ways do you think you are currently following God? Are there any ways in which you are still just doing your own thing, looking out for yourself?

Prayer

Dear God – I praise You for You are truth and righteousness. You are never deceived. You see me and know me and You still love me and desire what is best for me – You! I confess the times I selfishly lie, cheat, deceive, or misrepresent myself, others or the truth. May I put my full confidence in You. Help me follow You better today than I did yesterday. In Your Son’s name I pray.