00:07After Jacob's dream at Bethel, he continued on his journey. He came to a well that had
00:14been covered to regulate the distribution of water to nearby flock. As he spoke with
00:19the shepherds, he discovered they knew his uncle, Laban, and that his daughter was coming
00:25to that very well with her sheep. Jacob recognized the divine providence of God as Rachel, the
00:31daughter of his mother's brother, arrived at the same well. God was working mightily
00:37in Jacob's life. When Rachel arrived with her sheep, Jacob removed the stone that was covering
00:43the well so her sheep could drink. The blessing of God in Jacob's life led him to do great
00:48acts of service for others. He was confident in God's direction, and it led him to bless
00:54those around him.
00:56As Jacob stayed with Laban, he fell in love with Rachel. In exchange for marrying her,
01:02Jacob vowed to work for Laban for seven years. Yet, when the time came for Rachel to be given
01:08to Jacob, the deceiver was deceived. Laban gave Leah, his firstborn daughter, to Jacob instead
01:15of Rachel. Though he was able to marry Rachel soon after, Jacob was made to work another
01:21seven years for his second bride. Jacob reaped what he had sown. Jacob had deceived his father
01:28and brother, and now he had been deceived. Jacob was not the firstborn, yet he had stolen
01:34the blessing of the firstborn. Laban deceived Jacob by giving him his firstborn daughter.
01:41The similarities are no coincidence. Laban's dishonesty to Jacob was used by God to discipline
01:47Jacob for his sin of deception. God was still working mightily in Jacob's life. As the encounter
01:55at the well was a blessing, so also was this discipline. Instead of leaving Jacob to his
02:01sin, God intervened and disciplined him to remove sin from his life. The discipline Jacob received
02:08did not negate God's promise, it solidified it. For Jacob to receive the blessings of the
02:14promise, he would also be disciplined as a child of God. God's blessing in our lives is twofold,
02:22divine encounters and divine discipline. When God shows us our sin and allows us to repent,
02:28it is indeed a blessing. While it may not always feel pleasant or comfortable, God's discipline is a
02:35gift. May we continue to sow in the Spirit and accept the discipline of our loving Heavenly Father
02:41Father as we reap a harvest for his kingdom.
02:44Amen.
02:48Amen.
