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“Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit.”  Proverbs 12:17 (ESV)

Lies twisted with deception result in jealousies twisted with manipulations.  Quite the ingredients of real life drama unfolding not on tv but in the pages of scripture.  Who would have thought that a mother (Rebekah) would convince her son( Jacob) to deceive his father (Isaac)?  One act of deception split a family apart.

An angry brother (Esau) cheated out of his blessing raged with vengeance leaving Jacob (his brother) running for his life. And if you thought the story was over hold on to your seat it really takes a dive.  Jacob marries the woman of his dreams (Rachel) only to find that his father-in-law (Laban) had made a switch in the bride and sent his oldest daughter (Leah).   Deception comes full circle in Jacob’s life, the deceiver meets the deceiver and he ends up with two wives.

Desperate for her husband’s love, Leah becomes a baby producing machine.  Desperate for a baby, Rachel’s jealousy sends her blaming God and manipulating circumstances.  Another act of deception splitting a family apart.  And it all started at the influence of Jacob’s mother who manipulated the circumstances to give her son what she wanted – his father’s blessing.

Ever been caught in a web of deceit?  Trust goes out the window, wounds run deep and the outcome exceeds anything we could have imagined.  Whether we are the deceiver or the one being deceived, God longs to redeem and restore our lives. When we trust Him rather than manipulating circumstances we can avoid hurting others.  When we truly seek out the best for others, we will respond in truth and love rather than align the outcome for our benefit. When we are patient with God’s timing, we position ourselves to receive His best in His timing – no regrets guaranteed.

“Father, if we are tempted to deceive or manipulate others help us to remember that only the truth will position us for Your best.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break