God’s Favour will OVERFLOW to others if it’s not blocked.
27 But Laban said to him, ‘If I have found favour in your eyes, please stay. I have learned by divination THAT THE LORD HAS BLESSED ME BECAUSE OF YOU.’ 28 He added, ‘Name your wages, and I will pay them.’
29 Jacob said to him, ‘You know how I have worked for you and how your livestock has fared under my care. 30 THE LITTLE YOU HAD BEFORE I CAME HAS INCREASED GREATLY, AND THE LORD HAS BLESSED YOU WHEREVER I HAVE BEEN. But now, when may I do something for my own household?’ Genesis 30
Jacob was only the hired servant, but both he and Laban realised that the reason for the ‘Great Increase’ was because God’s Favour was upon Jacob. (The Book of Acts repeatedly mentions the Increase in the Church because God was with them. FAVOUR BRINGS INCREASE! Hallelujah)
Jacob and Laban eventually parted and not on the best of terms. But it’s interesting to read how God was present throughout that process;
29 I have the power to harm you; but last night the God of your father said to me, “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.” 30 Now you have gone off because you longed to return to your father’s household. Genesis 31
Laban probably set out after Jacob in anger, so God warned him before they met for the last time not to say anything ‘good or bad’ to Jacob. DON’T TOUCH THE LORD’S ANOINTED! 1 Chronicles 16:21, 22 and Ps 105:15
Jacob was central to God’s purpose for humanity and so God warned Laban DON’T SPEAK AGAINST HIM. There are times when God will not permit anyone to interfere with His plans for a life, they’re too important to Him! That’s why we should never speak against an individual; an office e.g pastor, prophet, President, Prime Minister; nor a people e.g the Jews. God has His purpose to be accomplished through them.
Jacob left the land of Laban and the anointing left with him. Sometimes we will inherit the blessing from another’s life for a season, but eventually they may be called away. Enjoy it while you have it.
What if they’ve done something that really irks you?Jacob must have thought he’d gotten away with everything, he’d left with his wives, his sons and his flocks.
24 So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. 25 When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that HIS HIP WAS WRENCHED AS HE WRESTLED WITH THE MAN. 26 Then the man said, ‘Let me go, for it is daybreak.’ Genesis 32
But Jacob replied, ‘I will not let you go unless you bless me.’
Often when we’re wrestling with something it seems we’re in the darkness of night. The Lord humbled Jacob greatly before he stepped back into the land of his inheritance, a final breaking of the man’s natural strength. God’s Favour was upon his life, but God humbled him right before he was due to meet his brother Esau. He was helpless and in weakness when they met.
God is well able to discipline His servants, we shouldn’t take that role to ourselves, it’s not our responsibility. Enjoy the OVERFLOW while it’s there but don’t touch the anointing/Favour of God.
God bless and keep you today and every day.