Bearing Reproach
Laban said to Jacob, "What have you done, that you have tricked me?"
GENESIS 31:26
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Bearing Reproach
[Laban's accusations against Jacob are] certainly offensive and undeserving, but they are written in this way so that we by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the Scriptures might have hope (cf. Romans 15:4). No one sins in this world except the only-begotten Son of God. On the other hand, no one is righteous but the devil. . .. But since it thus seems good to God and it cannot be otherwise but that there should be a flock which for God's sake is . . . a reproach of men and rejected by the people (cf. Psalm 22:6), we are certainly not reluctant to be regarded as such in the world. For we have His richest consolation, which has said (cf. Matthew 5:11-12): "Blessed will you be when men hate you and when they cast you out, insult you, and utter your name like an evil omen on account of the Son of Man. Be glad on that day and rejoice, for behold, your reward is great in heaven." It is a matter of a short time. Life is brief and wretched, but the joy and glory we await is eternal. Since, therefore, it pleases God that we should be a little flock, insignificant and despised, let us bear the troubles of this life with a calm and joyful heart, just as Jacob bore reproach, abuse, and contempt from the proud Labanites and hypocrites We will conquer because of our Leader and Lord, the Son of God, who Himself bore the same reproaches and conquers in all His saints.
GENESIS 31:26
+
Bearing Reproach
[Laban's accusations against Jacob are] certainly offensive and undeserving, but they are written in this way so that we by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the Scriptures might have hope (cf. Romans 15:4). No one sins in this world except the only-begotten Son of God. On the other hand, no one is righteous but the devil. . .. But since it thus seems good to God and it cannot be otherwise but that there should be a flock which for God's sake is . . . a reproach of men and rejected by the people (cf. Psalm 22:6), we are certainly not reluctant to be regarded as such in the world. For we have His richest consolation, which has said (cf. Matthew 5:11-12): "Blessed will you be when men hate you and when they cast you out, insult you, and utter your name like an evil omen on account of the Son of Man. Be glad on that day and rejoice, for behold, your reward is great in heaven." It is a matter of a short time. Life is brief and wretched, but the joy and glory we await is eternal. Since, therefore, it pleases God that we should be a little flock, insignificant and despised, let us bear the troubles of this life with a calm and joyful heart, just as Jacob bore reproach, abuse, and contempt from the proud Labanites and hypocrites We will conquer because of our Leader and Lord, the Son of God, who Himself bore the same reproaches and conquers in all His saints.
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January
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