"The Great Escape Series: Jacob, Part I-Envy"
- Rita Larson
- Aug 13, 2023
- 3 min read
In Genesis 3:1-55 we read about the story of Jacob and how he fled from his father-in-law Laban, after 20 years of service. Through this escape, Jacob was allowed to return home for Isaac's death and for reconciliation with his brother, Esau. Being away from your home and the people that you love often puts what is really important into perspective.
Today, let's focus on Genesis 31:1-2 to set the stage for Jacob's escape. It reads, "And he heard the words of Laban's sons, saying, Jacob hath taken away all that was our father's; and of that which was our father's hath he gotten all this glory.
And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and behold, it was not toward him as before."
Laban was Jacob's Father-In-Law and was highly prosperous along with Jacob. Laban's sons, watching the prosperity of Jacob increase dramatically, became very jealous of Jacob and accused him of stealing what belonged to their father. Jacob actually hadn't taken anything at all from Laban. Jacob was blessed and his wealth was growing proportionately to Laban's wealth, and, instead of being happy for Jacob, Laban's sons were envious. This envy that the sons had toward Jacob ultimately distorted Laban's view of Jacob. Laban's heart became poisoned against Jacob and he began treating Jacob differently and unjustly.
imagine yourself in Jacob's shoes. You were prospering and doing well when all of a sudden, whom you thought were your family and friends became envious of you, poisoning the thoughts of others that you were close to. I imagine this envy led to gossip and bitterness. Jacob went from a place of being prosperous and belonging to being desolate and feeling like an outcast.
Envy is a manipulative tactic of the enemy. Envy has a way of always distorting the truth, just as it distorted Laban's view of Jacob. 1 Corinthians 3:3 states, "For you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?" James 3:16 reminds us "For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there."
Just as light and dark do not mix, envy and love do not mix. Envy is one of the sins that we were delivered from. We see this clearly in Titus 3:3, "For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived and serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another." Here we are reminded of things that we were delivered from. Taking it one step further, according to Matthew 27:18, envy is one of the very sins that put Jesus on the cross. It says, "For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy."
Fortunately, the polar opposite of envy is love. 1 Corinthians 13:4 reminds us that "Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy." Love is an action, not a mere feeling. It should be demonstrated through actions to those around us. Love is enduring. When something is enduring, it is long-lasting and durable. It is not easily broken. If we are walking in love, we are not envious of others, we celebrate their successes!
No longer dead in sin, we have the power of Jesus Christ to walk in victory! Since love and envy are polar opposites, they cannot co-exist. To cure an envious heart, we need to express love and gratitude for what God has blessed us with. Rejoice with those that are rejoicing and celebrate their successes! God's gifts are unending and His promises are yes and amen! He has a well that never runs dry! ©Rita Larson 8/13/2023
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