Part 1 – Flexibility Training – Reading
Leviticus is a book of the Law of God. You can find some very detailed laws about how to dress, how to eat, how to treat your neighbor, how to wash. There is one law that would have been useful for Jacob: Leviticus 18:18. “While your wife is living, do not marry her sister and have sexual relations with her, for they would be rivals.” (NLT) Perhaps that law draws directly from the experience of Jacob. For that is exactly what happened between Leah and Rachel.
We don’t know if they were close before their father married them off to the same man. But once the celebrations were over, the rivalry began. Rachel, seeing that her sister was having all the children and she none, decided her servant, as her surrogate, would have children for her. After a time, Leah, seeing that she wasn’t getting pregnant any more, did the same. Four women. Definitely crowded. As you read through chapter 30, watch for other hints of the rivalry between the sisters.
As if his home life wasn’t enough, extended family gave Jacob trouble as well. In the second half of the chapter, watch for the continuation of lies and dishonesty displayed by Jacob’s uncle/father-in-law; and watch how Jacob wisely gave Laban no room for accusations of dishonesty on his own part.
Laban knew the good thing he had going in having Jacob in charge of his flocks. He didn’t want to lose that source of wealth. But neither did he want to pay Jacob for his job well done. God saw that and blessed Jacob for his continued hard work and honesty.
PART 2 – Strength Training – Memory & Thinking
Keep working on memorizing the Word of God. Put them on your phone, or in note cards, and review them when you find yourself in line, or when you are waiting for an appointment. Keep bringing them to mind, and you will find they come to mind easier.
Colossians 3:23-25 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.
Genesis 29:20 So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her.
Hebrews 11:20 It was by faith that Isaac promised blessings for the future to his sons, Jacob and Esau.
Philippians 2:4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Ephesians 6:1-3 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”
1 Peter 3:5-6 This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. They trusted God and accepted the authority of their husbands. For instance, Sarah obeyed her husband, Abraham, and called him her master. You are her daughters when you do what is right without fear of what your husbands might do.
Jacob, although he worked for a man he could not trust to follow through with his word or honor his promises, continued to serve his uncle/father-in-law faithfully. Next time we shall see just how faithfully. But Jacob also used his knowledge of shepherding to force Laban to actually pay him for his work. As you read through these verses that speak about honest labor, no matter the honesty of the employer, think back to Jacob’s example.
Proverbs 22:29 Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.
Philippians 2:14-15 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world…
Titus 2:7-8 And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us. (NLT)
Ephesians 6:5-9 Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.
Part 3 – Cardio Training – Prayer
Think through those places or times you have a hard time working faithfully. Maybe it’s at home with a spouse that is acting like the frustrated and jealous Rachel. Maybe it’s at work with a boss like Laban. Ask God to help you work faithfully as if He were the beneficiary of your work, as if He were your boss, your spouse, your customer. You might start in this way:
Dear Father, I’ve not been the most faithful at fulfilling my responsibilities with a cheerful attitude. I often grumble and complain, slacking off when no one is watching. Help me to remember that You are my true boss. Help me develop the habit of always giving my best, reflecting integrity and seriousness so that anyone who opposes me will have nothing bad to say. With those who are under my authority, help me remember what it is like when the leader is not responsive or fair. Help me reflect Your faithfulness and impartiality in all things, especially with those I lead…
Part 4 – Endurance Training
In this portion of Jacob’s life, he gets the award for endurance. He worked for 20 years for a man he could not trust. As you work to endure at work and at home, remember Jacob’s example here and, like him, continue to trust in our God who is Faithful.
And keep reading His Word so you will know His faithfulness even more.
An Extra Lap
When you read Chapter 30, chances are you read it from the point of view of the person who most closely matches you. Go back and read chapter 30 again, reading it with a different perspective in mind. For example, if you felt a kinship for Jacob and how he was frustrated at home and at work, try reading the story from Rachel’s viewpoint, or from Laban’s viewpoint. What lessons can you learn from their example, from their fears, from their actions?
Faith Gym 