Tuesday, April 19, 2005 Lenten Fast
Hieromartyr Paphnoutios of Jerusalem
6th Hour: Isaiah 49:6-10 1st Vespers: Genesis 31:3-16 2nd Vespers: Proverbs 21:3-21
Genesis 31:3-16, especially vs. 13LXX: "...I will be with thee." The life of the Patriarch Jacob sheds much
light on God's providence. In all that happened to Jacob and his family, the Lord shielded them from overwhelming evil,
for the God of all, Who kept Israel and keeps the Church, surely cares for His inheritance: He "shall keep thy coming in and
thy going out, from henceforth and for evermore" (Ps. 120:8 LXX). His providence operates today for the Faithful, for, as
the Prophet David reveals, God has stored away His goodness for those who fear Him and hope in Him "before the sons of
men" (Ps. 30:19 LXX). Still, God's provision for His People is not a simple, one-way, Divine effort toward those whom
He randomly happens to bless. The abundant provision and protection of God flow in and to and through those who honor
Him in all their ways. "Honoring God in all one's ways" requires a heart ready to obey the Lord, unquestioning
submission to what He has ordained, and firm resolution never to act unilaterally.
Take careful note of the Lord's remark to Jacob: "Return to the land of thy father, and to thy family," for to this He added
a promise of providential oversight, "and I will be with thee" (vs. 3). The assurance of God's presence was dependent on
Jacob's obeying the Lord's command ending his ties in Haran, and returning to the land of his birth and to his immediate
family.
St. Theophan the Recluse counsels us that "everything you do should be done according to Divine will and for the sake of
pleasing God, in praise of His Most Holy Name. Thus we should examine each act...to see if it is in compliance with the
Divine will and then perform it...." Jacob considered his life with Laban, and he perceived that Laban's face was "not
toward [him] as before, but the God of my father was with me" (vs. 5). He recalled that God had intervened on his behalf
to defeat the plots of others against him. Thus, when the Lord said, "I Am God that appeared to thee...arise and depart out
of this land, depart into the land of thy nativity, and I will be with thee" (vs. 13 LXX), he resolved in his heart to do what
God commanded.
Leaving the land of the east meant that Jacob would leave his position under the authority of Laban, his father-in-law.
However, his resolve to depart was not some ill-conceived attempt to avoid authority, but a recognition of God's higher
sovereignty. It was the Lord Who directed him to return "where thou anointedst a pillar to Me, and vowedst to Me there a
vow" (vs. 13). For years, as a son-in-law, Jacob had worked unquestioningly under the authority of Laban, the father of his
wives. With all his might he served him, even when Laban deceived him and changed his wages - ten times (vss. 6,7)! If
we will not honor the authorities whom the Lord has ordained over us in the family, the workplace, government, and the
Church, how can we claim we are cooperating with God, and how can we expect the blessings of His providence? St. John
of the Ladder says that "obedience is the tomb of the will and the resurrection of humility." Jacob learned to die to his own
will, and in return saw God's providence work in his life.
Jacob did not act unilaterally in returning to Canaan. When the Lord commanded him to return to Canaan, graciously
sharing His will with him, He told Jacob, "I have seen all things that Laban does to thee" (vs. 12). Furthermore, God
promised him, "I will be with thee" (vs. 13 LXX). In turn, as God had done with him, Jacob counseled with his wives,
listening to their concerns and viewpoints and working out with them the plan to move (vs. 14-16). And they, in their turn,
stood with him in his resolve to obey God: "now then do whatsoever God has said to thee" (vs. 16). As we act "in God's
will," let us respect the needs of others that He may bless us.
In my heart have I hid Thy sayings that I might not sin against Thee. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, teach me Thy statutes. (Ps.
118:11,12 LXX).
