Committing Our Way To God

10 January

And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field unto his flock. Genesis 31:4.

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Psalm 37:1-7

Jacob sends for his wives so he can explain his intention to leave their father. He also wishes to persuade them to accompany him in his flight. It is his duty as a good husband to take them away with him; therefore, it is necessary to inform them about his plan.

Jacob is not blind to the many dangers of the journey. It will be difficult to take women who have never left their father's house on a long journey to a remote region. Moreover, there is reason to fear that they, in seeking protection for themselves, might betray their husband to his enemies. 

Jacob acts with great care in choosing to expose himself to danger rather than to fail in his duty as a good husband and master of his family. If his wives refuse to accompany him, the call of God will compel Jacob to leave on his own. In addition, his wives, who have offer torn the house apart with fighting, now freely consent to go with Jacob into exile. So the Lord allows us to succeed, when we in good faith discharge our duty and shun nothing that He commands. 

In seeing how Jacob calls his wives to him into the field, we infer what an anxious life he led. Certainly it would be more convenient for him to stay home with his wives. He is already advanced in age and worn down with many toils, so he has great need of their service. Yet he is satisfied with a cottage in which we might watch over his flock and lives apart from them.

If there is a particle of equity in Laban and his sons, they will find no cause of envying for Jacob in this situation.

FOR MEDITATION: How many times have we abandoned our duties because we thought that success could only come through disobedience? Perhaps you have been asked to leave comfortable circumstances to follow God's leading. How does God care for us when we follow Him? 

John Calvin

365 Days with Calvin

Selected and Edited by Joel R. Beeke