Sunday, January 6, 2013

Genesis 29 - Role of Work

In this chapter there are several stories from which we can draw application but in this chapter there are some work principles that seem to leap off the page. How we apply our talents and skills is just as much a matter of stewardship as how we spend our money.

1. Teamwork. There are some tasks that are much easier when done as a team. Take rolling the stone off the well to water the sheep for instance. All work is not about competition it is about applying wisdom to achieve the greatest good.

2. Women and work. We see Rachel didn't just stay home to polish her nails to look good for a potential suitor. We find also in this chapter that Rachel is the good looking one as well. The work with the sheep did not diminish her beauty. No wonder when Jacob stayed at his uncles house for a month he worked for free. I think he just wanted to be close to Rachel. He hadn't been an outdoorsman before.

3. Work deserves wages. Laban recognized that he should pay Jacob for his labor. Jacob was on a mission for a wife so no surprise he asks for Rachel. I can't imagine a man working for 7 years to earn favor with the father so he could have the daughters hand in marriage, but that is precisely what Jacob did.

4. Wage negotiations. Sometimes we don't get exactly what we bargained for in employment. Each party working in their own best interests sometimes stacks the deck in their favor. Notice how Jacob didn't take vengeance to try to bring justice himself but he went to reason with Laban. Now Laban introduced a new rule to Jacob that hadn't been made known prior but he does concede to give Jacob what he really wanted - for a price.

5. Look to The Lord for provision. Notice The Lord is not mentioned in this chapter until the unfolding of Leah's plight. She is the unloved wife but The Lord sees and blesses her with children and she names them in a way that gives credit to The Lord for her blessing. Leah may not have been beautiful or had a lot of talent but she lived a life of dependence upon God and he honored that. All our efforts are futile if we are not looking to our provider for our provision.

May Gody richly bless you as you seek him and as you serve him.

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