Genesis 30: Blessed Because of You

But Laban said to him, “If I have found favor in your eyes, please stay. I have learned by divination that the LORD has blessed me because of you.” -Genesis 30:27

Jacob followed God. Despite his failings, his faith stood out among those around him. In Genesis 30, we find an odd scene in which Jacob plans to leave the area of Haran and head back to his homeland with his family. Laban asks him to stay. Why? He said, “The LORD has blessed me because of you.”

It’s strange enough for Genesis to note that Jacob’s father-in-law is into divination. The deal Jacob makes seems even stranger. But the key idea is that Laban wants Jacob to stay because it is of benefit to him.

We often don’t realize it, but when we walk closely with God, it is a blessing to those around us. They may not follow or agree with our beliefs, but they benefit from the way we live as a result of Christ’s work in us. If you’re in a tough place today, realize that you may be there to serve as a blessing to others around you.

+++

Dillon Burroughs is the author and coauthor of numerous books and is handwriting a copy of all 31,173 verses of the Bible at HolyWritProject.com. Find out more about Dillon at Facebook.com/readdB or readdB.com.