WHEN LABAN TARGETS THE BREADWINNER

When he targets the breadwinner, then all the people under that person will suffer. When he chokes the breadwinner then he has choked all that receive and depend on that person. When he also targets the foundation, the male species, he upsets the whole system. The foundation carries the rest of the building/house, so if the foundation is worn out and spent, the building will be dangerously shaky and threatening to collapse. Laban’s target essentially is more than just one person, Jacob, it’s everyone connected to him financially, emotionally, spiritually and physically, etc.

1. Financially he will fail to provide and he will have continuous problems to deal with at home. His failure is not occasioned by laziness or stupidity but by Laban’s deliberate actions. Jacob’s wives will cry when there is lack and their children are sad because of poverty and the perpetual shortage of supplies. Their hopes for a better future will be deeply dented. “Is there anything to build on?” they will ask. They will have to start from scratch and though it’s doable, it’s a tall order. Jacob’s head will be down with shame because of this lack in his home that he feels responsible for.

2. With Jacob’s head down, he will be emotionally absent from those he loves. The weight of the bills will beat him up and spend his energy such that he will find no time to play with his boys and laugh with his wives. He now battles mental weights that might imprison him and his ability to be innovative and creative, Jacob is shackled. He needs a free and sober sound mind to engage those creative gears. The wives will complain about the lack of love and affection in the home and he will feel they are nagging, they don’t understand that he is doing everything he can and doing it right, the problem is the choke holder – Laban – their father. Jacob will feel unappreciated and attacked, and that they are not grateful for all the efforts he employs daily including his faithfulness, these feelings may cause him to detach from them for they are adding to his problems. There will be endless emotional turmoil in this house, only God will keep it intact, otherwise, some divorces emanate from such.

3. Spiritually Jacob is going to be drained because his faith in the God who spoke to him in Genesis 28 will be tried and tested – to be proven. Can he be discouraged and lose his belief as his descendants did in Exodus 6 v 9? Will he be stubborn enough to cling to this God by meditating on his grandfather’s amazing testimonies? Will he be boosted by his own father Isaac’s testimony (born by old parents at God’s Word)? Will Laban’s children who were raised worshiping idols believe in Jacob’s God? How come He is “failing” to deliver Jacob from this situation that has prevailed 10 times in 14 years? How is He great and superior then? Can Jacob’s children trust their father’s God under these harsh circumstances? They see Laban winning habitually against their dad and they might start thinking their father is a weakling and a coward. They might also think Laban’s gods are stronger and more able and powerful than their father’s God. This will bring spiritual division to Jacob’s home.

Jacob has to continue leading this family regardless of what he faces daily, regardless of his pockets. His headship is not determined by what is in his pockets or bank account but by God’s blessed design. He cannot bow to Laban and his household gods. Jacob knows Jehovah’s blessings are upon him, He told him so and he must cling to this knowledge with his dear life. He ought to believe against all visible odds that he will get a break. Having done all – Jacob must STAND!!

4. Physically, Jacob’s body will be beaten up by hard work which has no gain. Stress might attack him and cause him to fall down sick. He might start taking medication to numb his hopelessness that gives him thumping headaches and heart palpitations that attack him every time he thinks about his family’s unmet needs as well as his future. He also is now sick in his soul and can’t stand Laban. Meeting Laban is now a dreaded thing, how will Jacob look him in the eyes and say “good morning Sir/Boss.” Seeing Laban makes Jacob’s tummy churn because Laban is a threat to Jacob’s survival and he affects Jacob in all areas that matter to his manhood and his worth. He stands there as one that deliberately exposes Jacob’s nakedness when Jacob is a hardworking man who deserves countless accolades and rewards.

Physically, Jacob’s body will wear out because of the amount of work he undertakes in order to give Laban the returns he does. He works under the scorching heat of the day and through cold and sleepless nights for almost nothing. Jacob may start looking older than his age because of this battering. He might also continuously battle weight loss because though he eats, he can’t taste the food or enjoy it because his mind is elsewhere; it’s not at the table. His brain works around the clock, so now he battles insomnia and his problems increase because he will be tired when he goes to work every morning to herd Laban’s flocks. Laban wants results, he doesn’t care about all those conditions Jacob battles, he must get his profit no matter what. Laban will give Jacob rest when Jacob drops dead and if the breadwinner drops dead, everyone behind him/her SUFFERS GREATLY.

Please watch out for Laban!