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“Now Rachel had taken the household gods and put them inside her camel’s saddle and was sitting on them.  Laban searched through everything in the tent but found nothing.”  Genesis 31:34 (NIV)

Eager to leave her father’s homeland, Rachel clung to one tangible possession – the household gods.  These seemingly insignificant statues speak volumes about the relationship between Rachel and her father, Laban.  Traded off in marriage to Jacob, Rachel was the guarantee Laban needed. Recognizing God’s hand of blessing was upon Jacob, Laban had no desire to relinquish the increase pouring into his household. Regardless of the personal cost or methods of deception, Laban did whatever it took to keep Jacob.  However, family dynamics kicked in and Laban’s jealous sons blamed Jacob for stealing their inheritance.  Rachel and her sister blamed their father for their starring roles as desperate housewives vying for the same husband.  Whoever said the Bible is boring must have missed the drama swirling in this family.  When Jacob fled with his wives, children and possessions, Laban hotly pursued them.  And that’s where we find Rachel hiding away the prized household gods.  Scripture does not unveil why she took them, but I wonder if holding onto her bitterness sent her in pursuit of revenge.  Or perhaps,  she clung to those idols because everything else in her life seemed unstable.  Whatever the reason, if we aren’t careful, we can find ourselves there too.  Clinging and holding onto bitter emotions or false beliefs will always rob us of peace.   Demanding our right to be angry, seeking revenge and hurting others guarantees more drama than we ever envisioned.  But when we humbly surrender our pain into the hands of our righteous Lord, we can realize true freedom in knowing our Healer will act on our behalf.

“Father, when revenge overrides our emotions may we bow our knee to Your wisdom and relinquish justice into Your hands.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break