We Reap What We Sow

Today's Verse

Genesis 29:25 (NKJV)

So it came to pass in the morning, that behold, it was Leah. And he said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Was it not for Rachel that I served you? Why then have you deceived me?”

Read Chapter: Genesis 29

Thoughts

The principle of sowing and reaping is now working in the life of Jacob. Here in our passage, Jacob the supplanter, met his match – his uncle Laban. After deceiving his brother and dad, now he is the one about to be deceived by his uncle. At first, Laban seemed generous that he offered Jacob salary for his services. But as the story goes, Jacob ended up being tricked.

Jacob requested Rachel as the prize, for seven-year labor. This seems typical in Middle Eastern culture even until these days, that a guy will pay huge amount for his bride. In Saudi Arabia, a guy will pay at least 27,000 dollars for a bride. At the end of seven years, Jacob thought he finally achieved his dream prize – Rachel. He was wrong, Laban switched the older Leah for Rachel on the wedding night, as it was the tradition for the older to be married first. Seven years was like seven days to Jacob, because of his love for Rachel. But now, he had to work again for another seven years. Fourteen years past, and Jacob got a tender-eyed Leah, and beautiful Rachel, plus two maid-concubines Bilhah and Zilpah.

In this life, we cannot escape the consequences of our wrong actions - whether it is sin, wrong decisions, unwise moves, or whatever. It is just a matter of time that it will ripen and fall into our basket - we will reap what we sow. However unfortunate Jacob had gone through, God was still in control and protecting Jacob. God allows the natural things as consequences of our actions to mold us, and shape us according to His will. God had given us the Bible as our manual to guide us, but not to stop us from what we want to do. He often times put a blockage on our path to protect us, when we pray for guidance and protection, but when we do not take heed and just keep going then we reap the consequences.

So, do we have to blame God for the bad things that happen to us? The answer is no. God is our Father that He cares too much for us to be hurt, but He is holy and just that He allows us to go through our own consequences – and so we reap what we sow.

Prayer

Dear Lord Heavenly Father, give us the wisdom to follow and obey You. Help us to learn from our own mistakes, and help us to grow into maturity even as we walk with You Lord. In Jesus Name, Amen.