Genesis 29, Matthew 20

Friday, Jan 4, 2008 - Brandon Hatmaker (Genesis 29, Matthew 20)

(Genesis 29)

What a complex story. It’s simple in structure, but complex because it’s scripture. In chapter 29 you see hard work and commitment, you see trickery, and favor for beauty. There are some “no way” moments for me, especially when Laban said, “I’ll give you Rachel for another seven good years”. But Jacob did it. Then she was barren. Leah had three children, all with the hopes of it making Jacob love her more.

Here’s my greatest takeaway today, twice Leah bore a child with hopes ONLY for Jacob to love her. On the fourth child, she finally got it and said, “This time I will praise the LORD.” The next statement said that at this realization, she stopped having children.

How many times do we do things for the acceptance and affirmation of man with greater fervor than that which we seek Gods favor? It’s such a difficult task for us to change our perspective to eternal. For Leah, it took years and four children. Maybe this was her main lesson in all of this, to find contentment in the love of God alone. The key is that she finally got it. And she didn’t just accept it, she praised God in it.

The lineage of Christ is traced back to her fourth child, Judah. God knows what He’s doing. There’s a lesson for us.

God, may we not only desire to find approval and love from you above anything else, but may we have the same attitude as Leah. Her response was to find fulfillment through the Love of her God and to “Praise the Lord”.

(Matthew 20)

Here is just a portion of Matthew Henry’s thoughts on The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard. I found it to be profound:

“There is great proneness in us to think that we have too little, and others too much of the tokens of God's favour; and that we do too much, and others too little in the work of God. But if God gives grace to others, it is kindness to them, and no injustice to us. Carnal worldlings agree with God for their penny in this world; and choose their portion in this life. Obedient believers agree with God for their penny in the other world, and must remember they have so agreed. Didst not thou agree to take up with heaven as thy portion, thy all; wilt thou seek for happiness in the creature? God punishes none more than they deserve, and recompenses every service done for him; he therefore does no wrong to any, by showing extraordinary grace to some. See here the nature of envy. It is an evil eye, which is displeased at the good of others, and desires their hurt. It is a grief to ourselves, displeasing to God, and hurtful to our neighbours: it is a sin that has neither pleasure, profit, nor honour. Let us forego every proud claim, and seek for salvation as a free gift. Let us never envy or grudge, but rejoice and praise God for his mercy to others as well as to ourselves.”