Living in the Spirit

July 24, 2023

Scripture Reading:

Genesis 29:15-28

Then Jacob said to Laban, ‘Give me my wife that I may go in to her, for my time is completed.’ So Laban gathered together all the people of the place, and made a feast. But in the evening he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob; and he went in to her. (Laban gave his maid Zilpah to his daughter Leah to be her maid.) When morning came, it was Leah! And Jacob said to Laban, ‘What is this you have done to me? Did I not serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?’ Laban said, ‘This is not done in our country—giving the younger before the firstborn. Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also in return for serving me for another seven years.’ Jacob did so, and completed her week; then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel as a wife. –Genesis 29:21-28

Jacob got a taste of his own medicine. He loved Rachel and asked for her hand in marriage, but he was tricked by his Uncle Laban, who became his father-in-law. Jacob loved Laban’s younger daughter Rachel, but Laban thought his older daughter needed to be wed first, and he made that happen. Later, Jacob also married  Rachel.

We see this happen in our political system all the time. It is a system run by the attitude of “What’s in it for me?” without regard to the best thing to do for the country, state, or city that the politician represented.

Prayer: Lord, open our eyes to the things we do that may not be the best for all involved. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.