God Who Controls Life, Death, Fortune, and Misfortune

Reading Scripture: Genesis 31:7-13 

Verse to Memorize: Hebrews 11:11 

Reference: Genesis 27:27-29; 30:43 Goal: to help believers prosper in everything by believing and relying on God who controls our life, death, fortune, and misfortune God the Creator controls the entire universe and all things there in. He also rules over human history, life, death, fortune, and misfortune. If we love God and act in His words, He leads us to prosperous ways and gives us blessings. 

So, if one meets God he can become happy no matter how unhappy he was before. No matter how complicated a problem one has, he can easily resolve it. Are you having a hard time with worries and anxiety? I urge you to rely on God who controls life, death, fortune, and misfortune. He will guide your life to the prosperity and blessing.

• 1. Jacob received the blessing of the first son

Jacob was a grandson of Abraham and a son of Isaac. He and Esau were twins. Esau was a man of the field and a skillful hunter, and he was loved by his father Isaac. On the other hand, Jacob was a peaceful man. He stayed in the tents and helped his mother. He was loved by his mother. Jacob was wise but deceitful and ambitious with a dream. He had a desire to have the birthright of his elder brother Esau. One day, Esau came from his hunting and felt famished. Then, Jacob gave him some of his lentil stew but told him to sell him his birthright for it. 

Esau treated his birthright lightly and sold it carelessly. After sometime had passed, Isaac said to Esau that he would bless him before his death. He told him to make some savory food with his game and then he would bless him. Rebekah, the boys' mother, overheard it and wanted her preferred son Jacob to receive the blessing. So she told Jacob to disguise himself as Esau and receive the blessing of firstborn. Jacob came to his father Isaac was with the savory food his mother had made. 

Since Isaac's eyes were dim he thought Jacob was Esau and blessed him as he pleased (Genesis 27). But some time later Esau entered the tent with a savory food made with his game. Isaac trembled with astonishment and he said he didn't leave any blessing for him since he had already fully blessed Jacob. Esau decided to kill Jacob after Isaac died. This incident caused Jacob to flee to Laban, his uncle in Haran.

• 2. Jacob learning the key to blessings

Jacob built up his foundations at Laban's place and worked diligently. Laban saw him work hard and told him to name him his wage. Jacob served seven years for Rachel, who was Laban's daughter. The seven years seemed to him but a few days because of his love for her. If we love God we can overcome any kind of trials and persecutions with joy. If our hope is fixed on Heaven we don't feel jealous of anything or anyone, but just try to pile up more heavenly rewards, please God more, and make more dedications to God's kingdom. While working hard for his beloved Rachel Jacob never thought that the seven years were long. Finally, he was married but the bride turned out not to be Rachel, but Leah her sister. 

When Jacob got angry after being deceived by Laban, Laban said to him, "It is not the practice in our place to marry off the younger before the firstborn." Then, he continued to say, "Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also for the service which you shall serve with me for another seven years." Jacob felt like it was unfair, but he followed what he had said. What we should realize, here, is that we should know our own status and situations. If you complain, saying, "It's not fair! It's annoying! It doesn't fit me," and act beyond your own status, it is not easy for you to receive love or recognition from people anywhere as well as in family and workplace. No matter how harsh the reality is, it is important to think and act in a positive way and in goodness rather than thinking in a negative way. We need to choose goodness and fulfill our duties faithfully even though it requires a loss and sacrifice rather than seeking our own benefits and advantages. 

Then, God will be pleased with it and will lift you up and make your position firm. After time passed, Jacob had many children including Joseph. Jacob told Laban that he wanted to go back home. Laban knew that God had blessed him because of Jacob (Genesis 30:27). This is because Laban had little before Jacob came but his possessions increased to a multitude. Laban didn't want him to return and asked what he might give to him to make him stay. Since Jacob had been deceived by Laban several times, he used his wisdom. He told Laban to give him every speckled and spotted sheep and every black one among the lambs and the spotted and speckled among the goats as his wages. Since there were not many such sheep, Laban willingly accepted his suggestion. 

On that day, Jacob took fresh rods of poplar and almond and plane trees, and peeled white stripes in them, exposing the white which was in the rods. He set the rods which he had peeled in front of the flocks in the gutters, even in the watering troughs, where the flocks came to drink; and they mated when they came to drink. Whenever the stronger of the flock were mating, Jacob would place the rods in the sight of the flock in the gutters, so that they might mate by the rods; but when the flock was feeble, he did not put them in; so the feebler were Laban's and the stronger Jacob's. Jacob gave this amazing suggestion to Laban because he became an expert on what could make sheep mate well and grow up well while working for Laban for 14 years. Moreover, Jacob who was wise mastered the law of faith in which things are accomplished as people hope (Hebrews 11:1).

 In order to receive a blessing, anyone should be diligent, have a dream and vision, and receive God's wisdom just like Jacob. For instance, if you want to successfully manage a restaurant, you need to consider having a comfortable-looking interior as well as appealing taste and suitable location. And when you keep developing new meals and serve customers with kindness you can succeed in running it.

• 3. God who controls life, death, fortune, and misfortune

When Jacob left for his hometown it was as if he had run away from Laban whom he had lived with for 20 years. It was not until three days later that Laban learned he had gone. He followed him in haste. God came to Laban in a dream in that night and said to him, "Be careful that you do not speak to Jacob either good or bad." So Laban made a covenant with Jacob and named the place Galeed and returned home. However, while Jacob was resting, another problem came upon him. 

Esau, who heard that Jacob was on his way home, was coming to meet Jacob with four hundred men. He thought his birthright and its blessings had been taken by Jacob. Then, how much he had been suffering in his thoughts! Whenever he had a hard time, he might have grumbled against Jacob saying it was all because Jacob had taken away his blessing. So, so much anger had he piled up against Jacob for such a long time! Then Jacob became greatly afraid and distressed. With all his wisdom he divided the people who were with him into two groups, and the flocks and the herds and the camels, also into two groups. If Esau came against one of them and attacked it, then the other which was left would escape. He prepared for the situation. He also prepared a gift for Esau to suppress his anger. Jacob was in desperation, but he couldn't go back to Laban since they had already made a covenant. Neither could he go forward because Esau waited for him. He thought of and used several ways, but he realized that it was impossible to solve the problem with his own strength. Then, Jacob laid down all his wisdom and relied on God who controls life, death, fortune, and misfortune. 

He was in great agony and wrestled with the angel till daybreak when his thigh was dislocated. Finally he brought down answers from God and gained his new name, 'Israel'. When he relied on God, God melted the heart of Esau. Then, he was welcomed by Esau and people, and became the father of Israel. When we commit everything to God we can be led to prosperity. If we completely obey God's guidance we won't be deceived by others or suffer from hardship. If you want to receive blessings in your workplace and business and be led to prosperity, I urge you to entrust everything to God and pray and lay down all your self-righteousness and wisdom. I hope by doing so you will receive great blessings and answers from God the Father who controls life, death, fortune, and misfortune and be led to the best way.

Mungu Atawalaye Uzima, Mauti, Bahati na Mabaya

Soma: Mwanzo 31:7-13

Mstari wa kukariri: Waebrania 11:11

Marejeo: Mwanzo 27:27-29; 30:43. Lengo: kuwasaidia waumini kufanikiwa katika mambo yote kwa kumwamini na kumtegemea Mungu atawalaye uzima, mauti, bahati na mabaya.

Mungu Muumba hutawala ulimwengu wote na vyote vilivyomo, pamoja na historia ya wanadamu, uzima, mauti, bahati na mabaya. Tukimpenda na kutenda kulingana na Neno lake, hutuongoza kwenye njia za mafanikio na kutubariki. Mtu akikutana na Mungu, anaweza kuwa na furaha hata kama hapo awali hakuwa na furaha; tatizo gumu linaweza kutatuliwa kwa urahisi. Ukiwa na wasiwasi na hofu, mtegemee Mungu anayetawala uzima, mauti, bahati na mabaya; atakuongoza kwenye mafanikio na baraka.

• 1. Yakobo alipokea baraka ya mzaliwa wa kwanza

Yakobo alikuwa mjukuu wa Abrahamu na mwana wa Isaka. Yeye na Esau walikuwa mapacha. Esau alikuwa mtu wa mashambani na mwindaji hodari aliyependwa na baba yao Isaka. Yakobo alikuwa mtu mtulivu, aliyeishi hemani na kumsaidia mama yake, aliyempenda. Yakobo alikuwa mwerevu, lakini mdanganyifu na mwenye tamaa ya kupata haki ya mzaliwa wa kwanza. Siku moja Esau alirudi kutoka kuwinda akiwa na njaa sana. Yakobo akampa mchuzi wa dengu na kumwambia amuuzie haki yake ya mzaliwa wa kwanza. Esau aliidharau haki hiyo na kuiuza kwa uzembe.

Baadaye Isaka akamwambia Esau atamtaka ambariki kabla hajafa; amwandalie chakula kitamu kutokana na mawindo yake. Rebeka, mama yao, alisikia na akataka Yakobo, mwana aliyempenda, apokee baraka hiyo. Akamwambia ajifanye Esau. Yakobo akaenda kwa Isaka akiwa na chakula alichotayarisha mama yake. Kwa kuwa macho ya Isaka yalikuwa yamefifia, alidhani Yakobo ndiye Esau akambariki (Mwanzo 27). Baadaye Esau akaingia na chakula chake; Isaka akatetemeka na kusema tayari amembariki Yakobo na hakuwa na baraka nyingine. Esau akaamua kumwua Yakobo baada ya Isaka kufa. Kwa hiyo Yakobo akakimbilia kwa mjomba wake Labani huko Harani.

• 2. Yakobo alijifunza ufunguo wa baraka

Yakobo alijenga msingi wake kwa Labani na kufanya kazi kwa bidii. Labani alipoona anafanya kazi vizuri, akamwambia ataje mshahara wake. Yakobo alifanya kazi miaka saba ili aoe Raheli, binti ya Labani. Miaka hiyo ilionekana kama siku chache kwa sababu ya upendo wake kwake. Tukimpenda Mungu tunaweza kuvumilia majaribu na mateso kwa furaha. Tukiweka tumaini letu mbinguni, hatuwaonei watu wala vitu wivu; tunajitahidi kujikusanyia thawabu mbinguni, kumpendeza Mungu na kujitoa zaidi kwa ufalme wake. Yakobo hakuhisi miaka hiyo kuwa mirefu alipokuwa akimfanyia kazi Raheli. Hatimaye akaoa, lakini bibi-arusi alikuwa Lea, dada ya Raheli, si Raheli mwenyewe.

Yakobo alipokasirika kwa kudanganywa, Labani akasema haikuwa desturi yao kumwoza mdogo kabla ya mkubwa. Akamwambia amalize juma la arusi, naye angempa Raheli kwa miaka saba mingine ya kazi. Yakobo aliona si haki, lakini akafuata makubaliano. Tujue nafasi na hali yetu wenyewe. Tukilalamika, “Si haki! Inaudhi! Hainifai,” na kutenda kupita nafasi yetu, ni vigumu kupendwa au kutambuliwa katika familia, kazini au kwingineko. Hata hali ikiwa ngumu, ni muhimu kufikiri na kutenda kwa wema na mtazamo chanya, si hasi. Chagua wema na timiza wajibu wako kwa uaminifu hata ikihitaji kujitoa na kupoteza, badala ya kutafuta faida yako.

Mungu atapendezwa, atakuinua na kuimarisha nafasi yako. Baada ya muda, Yakobo akapata watoto wengi, akiwemo Yusufu. Alipomwambia Labani anataka kurudi nyumbani, Labani alijua Mungu alikuwa amambariki kwa sababu ya Yakobo (Mwanzo 30:27); mali yake ilikuwa imeongezeka sana tangu Yakobo alipofika. Hakutaka aondoke, akamuuliza atampa nini abaki. Kwa kuwa Labani alikuwa amemdanganya mara kadhaa, Yakobo akatumia hekima. Akamwomba mshahara wa kondoo wenye madoadoa au madoa, wale weusi, na mbuzi wenye madoadoa. Kwa kuwa wanyama wa namna hiyo walikuwa wachache, Labani akakubali kwa furaha.

Siku hiyo Yakobo akachukua matawi mabichi ya mti wa mvinje, mlozi na mti mwingine, akayamenya na kufichua weupe wa ndani. Akayaweka mbele ya makundi ya mifugo kwenye mifereji na mabirika walipokuja kunywa maji na kupandana. Kondoo wenye nguvu walipandana mbele ya matawi, lakini alipandisha wale dhaifu bila matawi; hivyo dhaifu wakawa wa Labani, wenye nguvu wa Yakobo. Yakobo alikuwa mtaalamu wa kuwafanya kondoo wazaliane na kukua vizuri baada ya kufanya kazi kwa Labani miaka 14. Mwerevu Yakobo pia alielewa sheria ya imani kwamba mambo hutimizwa kulingana na tumaini (Waebrania 11:1).

Ili kupokea baraka, mtu awe na bidii, ndoto na maono na apokee hekima ya Mungu kama Yakobo. Kwa mfano, anayetaka kuendesha mgahawa kwa mafanikio anapaswa kuwa na sehemu nzuri, chakula kitamu na eneo linalofaa; akiendelea kubuni vyakula na kuwahudumia wateja kwa wema, anaweza kufanikiwa.

• 3. Mungu atawalaye uzima, mauti, bahati na mabaya

Yakobo alipoondoka kurudi nyumbani, ilionekana kana kwamba amemkimbia Labani ambaye aliishi naye miaka 20. Labani hakujua mpaka siku ya tatu, akamfuata haraka. Usiku Mungu akamtokea Labani katika ndoto, akamwambia asimseme Yakobo mema wala mabaya. Labani akafanya agano naye, akapaita mahali pale Galeedi na kurudi nyumbani. Yakobo alipokuwa amepumzika, tatizo jingine likamkabili.

Esau alisikia Yakobo anarudi, akaja kumlaki na watu 400. Alidhani Yakobo alikuwa amemnyang’anya haki ya mzaliwa wa kwanza na baraka zake. Huenda kwa miaka mingi alikuwa amekuwa na uchungu na kumlaumu Yakobo kwa shida zake. Yakobo akaogopa na kufadhaika sana. Kwa hekima yake akawagawa watu, mifugo na ngamia katika makundi mawili ili Esau akilishambulia moja, jingine liokoke. Akatayarisha pia zawadi ili kutuliza hasira ya Esau. Alikuwa katika hali ya kukata tamaa: hangeweza kurudi kwa Labani kwa kuwa walikuwa wamefanya agano, wala kusonga mbele kwa kuwa Esau alikuwa akimngojea. Alijaribu njia mbalimbali, akatambua hawezi kutatua jambo kwa nguvu zake. Akaweka kando hekima yake na kumtegemea Mungu atawalaye uzima, mauti, bahati na mabaya.

Alikuwa na uchungu mwingi na akapambana na malaika hadi alfajiri, nyonga yake ikateguka. Hatimaye akapata jibu kutoka kwa Mungu na jina jipya, “Israeli.” Alipomtegemea Mungu, Mungu akaulegeza moyo wa Esau. Esau akampokea, Yakobo akawa baba wa Israeli. Tukimkabidhi Mungu kila jambo, atatuongoza kwenye mafanikio. Tukitii mwongozo wake kabisa, wengine hawatatudanganya wala hatutaangamia kwa shida. Ukitaka baraka kazini na katika biashara na kuongozwa kwenye mafanikio, mkabidhi Mungu kila kitu, omba na uache kujihesabia haki na kutegemea hekima yako. Mungu Baba atawalaye uzima, mauti, bahati na mabaya atakubariki, kukujibu na kukuongoza katika njia bora.