Genesis chapters 29-31

Ever work for someone that was constantly ripping you off?

God's message to me: God will make even the bad actions taken against me work in my favor

Promises: God always fulfills his promises more powerfully than I can imagine

Commands: Trust God to fulfill his promises and you will not be disappointed.

Timeless principles: God makes sure we get what we deserve even if other try to take it.

How can I apply what I've learned: Do what you know to be right. Deal fairly with everyone. Leave the vengeance to God. Do these things and God will prosper you beyond measure.

More: Jacob had one of those bosses. His uncle Laban made one deal after another that he didn't follow through on.

Jacob worked 7 years without pay in order to earn the right to marry Rachel whom he loved at first sight. Laban repaid his work by sending in his older daughter instead. He excused his behavior by saying local tradition required the older daughter be married first.

Jacob worked another 7 years for the prize he had already earned so that he was forced to pay double for the right to marry Rachel.

That should have been the end and He should have been free but Laban insisted he stay and a bargain was made that his wages would be to keep any sheep or rams that were not perfect. Even in those times the objective was to have clear, white wool to be spun and sheep with speckles, stripes or colored wool were undesirable. Those imperfect sheep were Jacobs wages and so God caused the strongest stock to give speckled, striped and off color lambs until Jacobs flock was huge and his fortune made.

Laban heard from his men that Jacob was prospering with off color sheep and his white flock was small and week. He would have ripped him off again but God told Jacob to leave.

For 6 extra years of service Jacob had earned the makings of a very nice sheep and cattle ranch. After 27 years of service (7 before marrying Leah, & more to marry Rachel, 7 more while producing a family and 6 more to earn his flock), Laban was prepared to demand Jacob give up the flock, his wives and his children to him. Laban said plainly that the children the wives and the flock belonged to him and all but accused Jacob of stealing them. God stood in the way protecting Jacob from harm, keeping his family(the line of the nation of Israel) intact and providing him with a fortune in both wealth and business assets.

This was God's promise to Jacob at Bethel where he saw the ladder and the angels and this is what God did.