This series is dedicated to transforming your perspective on life's inevitable trials, tests and adversities. In the introduction (please click here to read it to help you understand the context of the series), we established that such adversities were a fact of life but we have God's assurance that everything we face will workout eventually for our own benefit. More to the point God delights in turning the table on the devil and having the last laugh.

To verify this, we will be going through the bible to highlight examples of God's people who have come through negative circumstances and in hindsight turned out to be better off. The bible assures us that "...God treats all people alike."(Acts 10:34 CEV) and since "Jesus Christ never changes! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever." (Hebrews 13:8 CEV), it is my prayer that you will take comfort from their experiences and expect the same kind of results. Maybe you might even laugh with Him in anticipation of the expected end.

Enjoy

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Here we look at Jacob who who deceived his brother Esau to obtain his birthright and then fled from the consequences of his actions. He met his match in his uncle Laban, a deceiver greedy of gain, happy to get all he can for nothing. Here begins the story of transformation of Jacob "the deceiver" to Israel "prince with God". He held his peace, worked hard and God rewarded Him handsomely.

In Genesis 27-31, we see Jacob the deceiver; become the deceived

When he met his match in uncle Laban, the Ebenezer scrooge of his day

Having worked seven years for Rachel, the love of his life

He woke up the morning after the night before, to her sister Leah

"It is not our custom to marry off the younger first" was Laban's lame reply

Seven more years of labour it took to secure the hand of Jacob's beloved treasure

Not content with Fourteen years of Jacob's sweat, Laban pressed for another six

Changing Jacob's wages 10 times in the process, accepting no losses and taking all the gains

That is until God arraigned Jacob's payday, by a dream and a process of divine selection

Jacob got his due from twenty years of hard labour, the best of the flock transferred to him

Just when Laban thought He was home and dry, God showed He was the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob

Jacob left Laban's house loaded with Godly loot, having learnt what it felt like to deceive and be deceived

He held His peace and God fought for Him, He was ready to be transformed from Jacob "the deceiver" to Israel "prince with God"

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1. "I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out--plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for." (Jeremiah 29:11 MSG)

2. "Merciless people make plots against good people and snarl like animals, but the Lord laughs and knows their time is coming soon." (Psalms 37:12-13 CEV)

3. "From his throne in heaven the Lord laughs and mocks their feeble plans." (Psalms 2:4 GNB)

To be continued..

Every Blessing

Breadoflife

Click here to read part 3

To view others instalments in the series, click here