Genesis 31:33

Genesis 31:33 says, And Laban went into Jacob’s tent, and into Leah’s tent, and into the two maidservants’ tents; but he found them not. Then went he out of Leah’s tent, and entered into Rachel’s tent.  Laban began by searching the tents, beginning with Jacob's, then working downward.  I am sure he would have loved to have found the statues in Jacob's tent, and if not, then Leah's or Rachel's, then he would have had more leverage over them.  People of the world today would really like to discredit followers of Christ, especially those who are leaders.  Verse thirty-four states, Now Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the camel’s furniture, and sat upon them. And Laban searched all the tent, but found them not.  Rachel had hidden the images in the camels furniture, whatever that was, and sat on them.  Seems that she could be devious as well.  Hopefully, we will never be in a position where we feel the need to attempt to hide our sins, but if we are, ultimately it will never work, because God knows when we do.  Verse thirty-five says, And she said to her father, Let it not displease my lord that I cannot rise up before thee; for the custom of women is upon me. And he searched, but found not the images.  Not only had Rachel stolen the images and now was hiding them during the search, but she was lying as well.  One sin often leads to another.  Even though Rachel was keeping Laban from finding the images, it did not justify her actions.  Verse thirty-eight declares, And Jacob was wroth, and chode with Laban: and Jacob answered and said to Laban, What is my trespass? what is my sin, that thou hast so hotly pursued after me?  Jacob was becoming angry and asked Laban what he had done wrong to cause Laban to pursue him so angrily.  Though Jacob thought that Laban was in the wrong, he wasn't.  Jacob was standing for his whole party.  We need to be careful when we defend other Christians that they are not in the wrong, as was Rachel.  Verse thirty-seven adds, Whereas thou hast searched all my stuff, what hast thou found of all thy household stuff? set it here before my brethren and thy brethren, that they may judge betwixt us both.  Jacob basically said for Laban to produce the evidence before everyone.  Again, Jacob still thought that Laban was making up the charge against Him.  Sometimes, even if people cannot find the evidence that we or those close to us have somehow cheated them, it does not mean that they are wrong.  Verse thirty-eight continues, This twenty years have I been with thee; thy ewes and thy she goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten.  Jacob said that he had served Laban faithfully for twenty years.  Verse thirty-nine adds further, That which was torn of beasts I brought not unto thee; I bare the loss of it; of my hand didst thou require it, whether stolen by day, or stolen by night.  Jacob continued to state that he had faithfully served Laban for those twenty years.  Still, Jacob was vouching not only for himself, but for all those with him.  Even when we have dealt honestly with someone else, we really cannot vouch for others around us, no matter how closely related they may be to us.  Verse forty goes on, Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes.  Then verse forty-one adds, Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times.  Now, while proclaiming his innocence, Jacob points out had Laban had cheated him during that time.  Though we are not told the specifics, Jacob said Laban had changed his wages ten times.  I don't really believe that we should ever defend ourselves, even if we are innocent, by pointing out the sins of others.  We can never be justified before God by pointing out the sins of others, but must simply take responsibility for our own sins.  Verse forty-two declares, Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.  Jacob said the God of his fathers had protected and had given him the reward for his labor.  Jacob was still not saying that God was his God.  If we are to claim that God is blessing us, we need to make sure that we have a personal relationship with Him.