E-pistle for May 29, 2009
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E-pistle
Dr. Dan Hite, President FreeWay Foundation May 29, 2009
We Can't Do That, Because . . .
(Genesis 29:1-35)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on Jacob's quest for a wife
1. Jacob journeyed east, back toward where his grandfather Abraham
had lived many years before, v. 1.
2. Jacob came into the area where his mother, Rebekah, had told him
to look for his uncle Laban, Genesis 28:2, 5; 29:5.
3. Jacob met some shepherds from the city where his grandfather Abraham
had lived in the years between Ur and Canaan, v. 4; Genesis 11:31.
4. Jacob experienced "love at first sight" when he spotted his cousin Rachel,
who arrived at the well to water her sheep, vv. 6, 9.
II. Meditation: on the shepherd's excuses for not watering Rachel's sheep
1. We can't do it, because . . . it's not customary; it's non-traditional, v. 3.
(We've never done it that way before!)
2. We can't do it, because . . . it's the wrong time, v. 7.
(It may be a good idea, but not now!)
3. We can't do it because . . . we won't start a job until we can see that we
are well able to complete it, v. 8.
(We're not going to do a partial job . . . if we can't do everything, we won't
do anything!)
4. We can't do it, because . . . it's too difficult without adequate manpower;
if someone else will start and do the hardest part (removing the stone from
the well), then we'll join in and do our part.
(Let George do it!)
III. Revelation: on the proper answers to these flimsy excuses
1. The "new" is not necessarily wrong or bad.
2. When the need is perceived as acute, the time is right to take immediate,
decisive action.
3. Do not wait until you can be sure of doing all that is needed before you begin
. . . or you may never start.
4. Take the Godly risk; by faith , jump in although the task seems too big to be
accomplished alone . . . God will give divine strength to finish any task which
He calls you to do.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Seek, find, and follow God's will, ignoring all reasons (excuses) why "It can't
be done!" In this story, Jacob (with no help from the others) watered Rachel's
flock, v. 10.
2. Be passionate in service for my Master, motivated by love . . . Jacob served
Laban faithfully for seven years for the hand of his daughter Rachel, and
"They seemed only a few days to him because of the love he had for her,"
v. 20.
3. Remain faithful to my assignment, keeping a steady eye on my God-given
objective, in spite of delays, disappointments, and deceit, vv. 21-28.
3. Know that God will reward such faithfulness with abundant prosperity and
productivity, vv. 29-35.
Out-foxing the Fox
(Genesis 30:1-43)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the continuing battle of wits between Laban and Jacob
1. Laban tricked Jacob into marrying Leah rather than Rachel, then
"black-mailed" him into seven more years of service to get the
woman he loved, Genesis 29:16-20.
2. Laban and Jacob agreed to divide the flock, with Laban taking the
solid-colored sheep and goats and Jacob taking the speckled ones
vv. 31-34.
3. Laban secretly removed all the speckled animals to a far away
pasture, vv. 35-36.
4. Jacob erected speckled rods near the watering troughs so that the
animals would be looking at them as they conceived, vv. 37-43.
(There is no scientific credibility to the old wives' tale that things
seen by a pregnant mother "mark" her unborn child . . . but, in this
case, God used this method to miraculously accomplish His purpose
of prospering Jacob, Genesis 31:11-12; Psalm 18:25-26.)
II. Meditation: on Jacob's wives and children (The Twelve Tribes of Israel)
1. Leah – bore (1) Reuben, (2) Simeon, (3) Levi, (4) Judah, then later . . .
(9) Isacchar, and (10) Zebulun (plus a daughter, Dinah).
2. Bilhah (Rachel's maid) – bore (5) Dan and (6) Naphtali.
3. Zilpah (Leah's maid) – bore (7) Gad and (8) Asher.
4. Rachel – bore (11) Joseph and (12) Benjamin.
III. Revelation: on Laban's earnest request to Jacob (v. 27)
1. "Please stay" – Laban did not want Jacob to return to Canaan with
his daughters and grandchildren . . . and especially with his large
flock of sheep and goats.
2. "If I have found favor in your eyes" – Laban appealed to Jacob to do
this as a favor . . . to repay the "generosity" of his father-in-law/uncle.
3. "For I have learned by experience" – Laban realized that his trickiest
schemes would not work against God or God's chosen person.
4. "The Lord has blessed me for your sake" – The influence of the presence
of God's people in a region is a spiritual and material blessing for the
entire society . . . they're salt and light, Matthew 5:13-16.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Always deal with others in unfailing integrity, complete honesty, and
scrupulous fairness.
2. Praise the Lord, Who is able to bring good (the 12 tribes) out of a bad
situation (polygamy), Romans 8:28.
3. Choose to associate with and develop friendships with persons who
intimately know the Lord and who faithfully serve Him.
4. Guard my influence, so that persons truly may say of me: "The Lord has
blessed me through you."
"Be kind. Every person you meet is fighting a hard battle."
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