Living in Conflict- Gen. 29–30:24
Notes
Transcript
Living in Conflict- Gen. 29–30:24
Living in Conflict- Gen. 29–30:24
One of the distinguishing marks of the Christian is peace, peace with God and with his or her fellow human beings.
Unfortunately, life is not a rose-filled path of tranquility. It is filled with conflict.
Husbands and wives argue with one another. Parents fight with children and children with parents. Friends divide their friendships because of a variety of issues.
Governments take advantage of their citizens, and citizens their governments.
Individuals also conflict with one another.
Christians have conflict with one another, too. Although we are called followers of the Prince of Peace, we are still waging war against the lusts of our flesh, and as James tells us in his letter, James 4:1–2 “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel.”
Jacob’s life, from beginning (in the womb, even!) to end was one of conflict. What lessons can we learn from Jacob? What wrongs can we avoid?
We will examine the conflicts themselves from two perspectives: outside the home and inside the home. Then, Lord willing, we will conclude our study with seeing how God works with our conflict.
I. Conflicts Outside the Home- 29:1–30
I. Conflicts Outside the Home- 29:1–30
The conflicts Jacob deals with outside the home primarily come from his wife’s uncle, Laban.
At first, their relationship is a good one. They express mutual love for one another, and even in 29:15 Laban offers to pay Jacob. Jacob wants to marry Rachel (29:11–12).
At first, everything is going smoothly. Jacob serves Laban for seven years (their agreement, 29:18) and they “seem to him but a few days.”
Then comes the time for Jacob to receive his wife, Rachel. Laban, however, has other plans (no doubt taking advantage of the additional help and blessings from God, see 27:28 “May God give you...the fatness of the earth”).
Laban tricks Jacob by giving him his eldest daughter, Leah. This begins a life of conflict with his in-laws. We could possibly argue that this would be inside the home, but I am thinking of the inside of the home being marital and parental relationships.
Obviously Jacob is upset and begins questioning Laban about his deception. What is ironic about this account is that Jacob has been a deceiver his whole life. His name literally means “to catch by the heels” or “to cheat.”
Jacob serves Laban another seven years to marry Rachel, the woman he truly loved.
How do we handle conflict outside the home?
Generally speaking, we must always remain calm under the Spirit’s control. We should never respond in anger, this is a basic truth we must always keep in mind (a soft answer, Proverbs 15:1 “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” ) We should always strive for God’s Will. But how do we apply these specifically?
First, it depends on the individual or group of people with whom we have conflict.
Are they Christians? Then we will handle this slightly different. If the conflict becomes serious enough, we may need to incorporate some help from the church.
Are they unsaved? The Scriptures teach we should be willing to endure evil in our presenting of the Gospel (cf. 2 Tim. 2:24–26; 1 Pet. 3:8–22).
Second, what is the conflict about? It is a biblical issue, a conscience, issue, or a personal issue? Answering these questions will help us determine the best, biblical course of action.
These are conflicts that arise outside the home. But what about conflict inside the home?
II. Conflict Inside the Home- 29:31–30:24
II. Conflict Inside the Home- 29:31–30:24
III. Conflict and the Advancement of God’s Plan- 3:15; 12: 1–3; 15:5; 17:1–8; 26:4; 28:14; 29:25
III. Conflict and the Advancement of God’s Plan- 3:15; 12: 1–3; 15:5; 17:1–8; 26:4; 28:14; 29:25