Pertenencia a una agrupación Solar PV a efectos retributivos

Although always a difficult test, it is nevertheless possible: Winners can triumph over the corrupt. It is partly in this context that Jesus made the immortal encouragement recorded in the gospel of John, “In this world you will have trouble. But be of good cheer I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). As long as we live in this world we will always meet someone corrupt. After all, this domain has been taken over by the forces of darkness. The prince of this world is the devil himself. Never mind that he is a thief and a liar and has only taken what really belongs to God and His Christ (John 10:9-10). As such, there are valid lessons for the church of Jesus Christ in the account of Jacob and Laban as Jacob indeed represents the church and Laban represents the world. Jacob demonstrates that winning the corrupt and

73

deceitful is indeed a possible feat. It is important that we observe that while he came to Laban with nothing, but only the assurance of God, he left Laban’s household with a large stock of everything related to success. And this rag-to riches transformation was in spite of the devious opposition of his uncle. To be sure, Laban never desired Jacob’s welfare. Jacob was always mindful of this and even assured him, thus:

If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me, you would surely have sent me away empty-

handed. (Genesis 31:42)

Every way he treated Jacob belied his loath for the young man. And yet, God turned what was meant for evil and turned it

for good (Romans 8:28). This account is indeed important for

the believer on two grounds: The first one is on a very personal ground and the second is prophetic.

On a personal level, believers need to be encouraged by the testimony of Jacob. Many find themselves caught in dealings with dubious persons bent on swindling them. They may be relatives like in Jacob’s case or in most cases employers, friends, ministers, service providers, or even “loved” ones. The point is, many can testify to being cheated or betrayed. Too many times, we will make the fatal mistake to rely or trust in a person in the vain hope that they will be fair enough to be accountable and relate with integrity. Unfortunately, more often than not we get disappointed. To our disappointment, someone who we trusted to keep their word or to hold their side of the bargain will shift goal posts. These times are not easy at all, especially when the stakes are

74

so high and the person involved was someone who we dearly regarded/esteemed.

The challenge for most saints is what to do in the face of betrayal. What does one do when subjected to very exploitative

manipulation? Do we return evil for evil as Jacob did? Or, should we turn to the Lord in search for vengeance?

The dilemma is not always an easy one. Most cases of betrayal tend to leave one despairing and seriously confused. As a pastor, I have had the benefit of counseling married folk that are dealing with betrayal on the part of their partner. In many incidences the temptation to revenge is so real. Some mates have been known to hope that rewarding evil with evil is at least a source of solace if not a reminder to the traitor that two can play the game. Unfortunately, this course has been known to only yield more pain and in some cases the couples have only made an already difficult problem worse. Sometimes an embittered mate seeking to settle the score has ended up acquiring a deadly sexually transmitted virus like HIV that causes AIDS in as much as a single revenging encounter. In cases where employees have been defrauded by manipulative employers or partners, playing the revenge game has been known to bring a sense of guilt on the part of the initial victim. But some cases have actually ended with litigation where a corrupted employee is caught trying to play the game of his master.

Real winners need not seek to compromise their integrity in the face of corrupt mentors or leaders. We are well advised in God’s word that this is not the way of God. Jesus

75

cautioned that we reward evil with good (Matthew 5:36-42). The account of Jacob demonstrates that when we are taken advantage of, God is a witness and He will seek our vindication. This may always not seem like the case when we are being swindled off our feet. However, it is true. The word assures that the One who watches over Israel never

slumbers (Psalm 121:4). There is nothing that escapes the eyes

of God, most especially where justice is concerned. Throughout the scriptures He condemns those that disregard the plight of others. Where injustice is committed He has in several occasions in His word responded by warning or seeking vengeance for the aggrieved. Seeking to encourage the Hebrews who often times would find themselves as slaves, being exploited and abused by a foreign kingdom, He would solemnly promise that justice will prevail (Isaiah 51:4). Similarly, if His own people the Jews did not demonstrate justice in their dealings He would rebuke them and often would threaten to punish the land for such blatant evil (Amos 5:12-27). It was in fact in this regard for justice that the Messiah was expected to come and establish justice among all the kingdoms of the world.

Consequently, the believer should have full confidence in all circumstances and even in those circumstances where they are taken advantage of. They should know that God will intervene to ensure justice is done. The winner can rest assured that with God they can overcome the corrupt. In fact Jesus took it further urging us to forgive those who treat us unfairly. Early in His ministry He taught that vengeance was the Lord’s and we should not take matters in our own

76

hands. Instead, we should love and forgive those that seek our loss in any regards. In His own words:

You have heard that it was said, “Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth. But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to

sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile

go with him two miles. (Matthew 5:38)

This caution against seeking revenge was especially a new and radical concept. It was certainly a departure from the ways the previous generations of teachers had instructed their students, including the very tenets of the law. As such they were difficult to receive and still pose a challenge to many today. It is indeed difficult because it goes against our very human nature and principles of natural justice. Many have dismissed its validity in the face of a harsh world that regularly presents us with unfair conditions. They argue that living a life of loving and forgiving everyone that offends us is so naïve and can only be compared to burying ones head in the sand while exposing the behind to mortal danger. They wonder – Can people be victorious simply by loving and

trusting? Does it make sense in a contemporary world where corruption is rife and “hearts have grown cold”? Yes they can.

The principle works for two reasons. First, the one that suggested it employed it Himself and it worked for Him. Jesus Christ demonstrated first hand by loving those that actually killed Him. When He was arrested at the garden of

77

Gethsemane and Peter struck the ear of one of his arresting officers, Jesus intervened by healing the man (John 18:10). As He died on the cross with His crucifiers below Him, rather than hurl insults at them as was the custom among those being crucified, He prayed for them, asking God to forgive them (Luke 23:34). And after He rose from the dead, He still sought to meet with his very lieutenants that had actually run away from Him at His time of need. He even appointed Peter who betrayed Him, a record three times, to be head of the church (Matthew 16:18). His love and forgiveness demonstrated His humility, which caused God to raise Him from the dead and exalt Him to the highest of heaven.

The second reason why it works pertains to the wisdom of God. What many of us do not realize is that God does have a different way of doing and looking at things from all of us. The prophet Isaiah tells us “His ways are higher than our ways,

His thoughts than our thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9). And the apostle

Paul tells us that the wisdom of God is foolishness to the world and vice versa (1 Corinthians 1:21). Given that Jesus Christ is indeed God, then His radical counsel was indeed the very wisdom of God. Following it then only makes you wise in His eyes and must surely have good dividends. God would never cause or advise anyone to do something utterly negative (James 1:13). His plans for us are good and they include loving and forgiving those who offend us. This may be difficult to do but it is the right thing to do. We ought to be more careful with our hearts and ways when we are confronted with a testing situation like being defrauded or betrayed. The scriptures warn that the heart is evil and

78

strong warning also given in the proverbs is appropriate here when the writer cautions that there is a way that seems

right to a man but the end of it leads to destruction (Proverbs

14:12).

To be sure, you can and will win if you employ the attitudes suggested by Jesus in the face of evil. Love and forgiveness are indeed powerful weapons in the hands of a winner. Vengeance and hatred are on the hand, powerful weapons

against a winner. In the struggle for life never get bitter, get

better. With God on your side you already have the victory (1 Corinthians 15:57). Although, bearing character faults, Jacob demonstrated this so incredibly and received favor from God. He was not afraid to work for Laban and tried so hard to increase his wealth (Genesis 30:27). In spite of the fact that his fraudulent uncle had repetitively cheated him, nevertheless Jacob worked hard to ensure Laban was successful although he eventually sought his own success (Genesis 31:38-42). In doing so, he demonstrated that he trusted in God (Genesis 30:31-33).

There is also a profound prophetic value in the testimony of Jacob relevant for the church today. Like I mentioned earlier, the two characters – Jacob and Laban – are types representing the church and the world respectively. Another parallel does exist representing the two and still has a prophetic value for today’s believer and the church: Thus, we observe that the parallels between Jacob’s sojourn in Paddan-aram and Israel’s bondage in Egypt must have been evident to the nation as they first read this account from the pen of Moses. Jacob’s sin necessitated this departure just as

79

Joseph’s journey was the result of many sins. Jacob went to Paddan-aram a poor man, but he left with a large family and great wealth. Joseph was sent to Egypt a virtual slave; but when the nation emerged at the exodus, they were many, and they had considerable wealth. Just as Laban was judged of God by his wealth being given to Jacob, so Egypt was judged by the wealth that was taken out at the exodus.

The scriptures declare that the wealth of the wicked is stored up

for the just (Proverbs 13:22). And I believe that is how it is

going to be before Jesus comes back in glory. There is going to be a divine exchange of wealth in incredible proportions from the hands of the world to those of the church. My other book – True Prosperity – is the result of this prophetic assessment of the times we live in as being the beginning of the Lord’s fulfillment of this divine exchange of wealth. God spoke to me at the beginning of this year and told me that it really was not so much the beginning of a new year as it is indeed the beginning of a new season of goodness flowing to the church. This is not the time for one to choose to be in the side of corruption. They are on the loosing side. We, on the other hand, that are servants of our Lord and His Christ, are at the brink of an incredible move of God that will not only be manifested in great spiritual activity but also material prosperity. The Lord is going to prove to the world that the

earth and all its fullness belong to Him (Psalm 24:1). Just as

Laban thought Jacob was foolish until God proved him wrong, so has the world thought that the church is foolish and God is going to prove them wrong. In fact, while the Lord prospers His people, there will be a contrast in the world and its systems. They will be suffering. The prophet

80

Malachi saw these days and rejoiced. Among his last prophecies he revealed as much:

You have said, “It is futile to serve God.” What did we Gain by carrying out his requirements and going about

Like mourners before the Lord Almighty? But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly the evil doers prosper

, and even those who challenge God escape.

Then those who feared the Lord talked to each other, and The Lord listened and heard…….

“They will be mine,” says the Lord Almighty, “in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare

them,

just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him.

And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the

wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.

(Malachi 3:14)

We are living in the days he was witnessing. And anyone that really believes in Jesus will receive this glorious benefit. Winner, do not be corrupted just when we are about to have a total victory over the corrupt. Put your trust in God.