A camel’s saddle full of gods

Friday 1-13-17, Modesto, California

Today we read Gen 31 – 33 and Luke 13

S = Scripture  O = Observation  A = Application  P = Prayer  SOAP for the soul.

S. Gen 31:19-20 Rachel stole her father's household gods and took them with her. They set out secretly and never told Laban they were leaving.

Vs 31 But Jacob didn't know that Rachel had taken them.

Vs 34-35 Rachel had taken the household gods and had stuffed them into her camel saddle, and now she was sitting on them. So although Laban searched all the tents, he couldn't find them. NLT

O. Apparently, Rachel was still an idol worshipper in her heart. She had been raised that way as a little child in her father, Laban’s home. Now she probably stole her father’s “household gods” for good-luck. But Laban missed his “household gods” immediately and intended to carry them back to his home. How many “household gods” can you fit into a camel’s saddle and still sit on it? If you can hide your god by sitting on him, he is too small.

A. In the city of San Juan, Argentina, there was a business that made frames for pictures and also sold religious icons of all sizes. I was in that store ordering a frame for a picture when a very troubled woman came into the shop. She yelled at the young lady clerk. “You sold me a faulty god! Twice he fell off his stand and this time he broke off his hand. Besides this, he has brought me nothing but bad luck!” Yes, many people in this world are trusting in an icon statue or a little silver amulet that they hang around the neck. They touch it and pray to it, hoping for good luck.

P. Heavenly Father, maybe that is why I keep returning to Argentina. I want to introduce them to You… a God that cannot be broken, stolen and stuffed into a camel’s saddle. They need to know that Your Son Jesus has paid the price for our sins and opened the door for us unworthy sinners to come into Your throne room without fear and lay our petitions before You. You don’t promise me “good luck”, but something much better, Your blessing of eternal salvation which brings great joy welling up within my heart. Amen.

Ralph