Beware the Laban in others and the Laban in yourself.

A few days ago, I sought God's face concerning a repeated challenge a friend and I were facing. This challenge had been a pattern for over 8 years, as far as I know and it bothered me. Towards the end of the prayer (amongst other baby Christian moves I made), i felt or heard in my spirit what the root of the pattern was. Oh, my baby Christian moves included trying to guilt God, some crying, loads of worship, reminding him of His words as well as His promises. Ko werk.

God remained merciful and firm in His voice and I heard everything I needed. Not what I wanted to hear but what I needed to know. The article below is borne from that message: How as Christians, we need to be careful and introspect all the time. 

        "Examine yourself to see whether you are in the faith..." (2 Corinthians 13v5)

I hope this edifies you as it did me.

------

Life often places us in situations where people take advantage of us, deceive us, or repay our kindness with evil. The Bible records two powerful stories that show how God responds when His children are wronged: the story of Jacob and Laban, and that of David and Nabal.

Jacob & Laban (Genesis 29–31):

Jacob arrived in Haran with nothing but hope and faith. He served diligently for seven years to marry Rachel, only to wake up on his wedding morning beside Leah 

        “And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah.” (Genesis 29:25). 

Deception became the mark of Laban’s dealings with him. Even afterward, when Jacob labored as a shepherd, Laban repeatedly altered his wages: 

        “Your father has deceived me and changed my wages ten times,” (Genesis 31:7).

Yet, in the face of injustice, Jacob remained diligent in his work and to God. And God, in His justice, turned the tables. The flocks multiplied in Jacob’s favor, wealth shifted into his hands, and the very one who was cheated became the one blessed beyond measure: 

        “Thus God has taken away the livestock of your father and given them to me.” (Genesis 31:9).

What Laban denied, God restored with abundance. Jacob did not leave empty, but overflowing, while Laban’s household lost favour because of his dishonesty.

David & Nabal (1 Samuel 25)

Centuries later, David faced a similar test. While protecting Nabal’s shepherds, David showed kindness. Yet when he requested food for his men, Nabal responded with arrogance:

“Who is David? … Shall I then take my bread and my water… and give it to men whom I do not know?” (1 Samuel 25:10–11)

David’s anger flared, but God stepped in through Abigail, Nabal’s wise wife, who pleaded for mercy. Shortly after, Nabal’s heart failed him, and the Lord struck him down (1 Samuel 25:37–38). David testified:

“Blessed be the Lord, who has pleaded the cause of my reproach… and has kept His servant from evil.” (1 Samuel 25:39)

Again, we see the pattern: deception and dishonor meet God’s judgment, while the faithful receive His favour.

The lesson here

Whether in Jacob’s patient endurance or David’s near retaliation, the truth stands; no injustice escapes God’s eyes. 

       "The Lord detests differing weights and dishonest scales do not please Him." (Proverbs 20 v 23)

Those who deceive, deny, or repay good with evil will eventually face His judgment, while those who trust Him will be restored and repaid. 

We need to know the Labans in different areas of our lives. However, we also must examine ourselves to ensure we are not the toxic Laban or Nabal.

Some of the struggles we are facing may be the result of our unjust behaviour towards others.

Prayer Points

1. Lord, protect me from those who would deceive or dishonor me in Jesus' name. (Genesis 31:7)

2. Father, turn every injustice in my life into an avenue of blessing in Jesus' name. (Genesis 31:9)

3. Keep me from reacting in anger like David, but teach me to trust Your judgment in the name of Jesus. (1 Samuel 25:33)

4. O Lord, let every “Nabal” in my life lose their power to frustrate me inthenameofJesus.  (1 Samuel 25:37–38)

5. God, deal with every “Laban” in my life : those who seek to take advantage of me or cheat me and bring their schemes to nothing in the of Jesus.  (Genesis 31:7–9)

6. Lord, reveal to me if there is an area in my life where I have been, or am being, a “Laban.” Purge me of deceit, selfishness, or dishonesty, and have mercy on me. Help me to walk in truth in the name ofJesus (Proverbs 11:1)

7. God of mercy, repay me abundantly for everything I have been unjustly denied in the name of Jesus. (Joel 2:25)