A Mini Exodus (Genesis 31) [Jay Thomas]

The Bible is a truly cool interconnected story. God often teaches the same themes through layers of stories upon stories. Genesis 31 is like that. Before the big book of Exodus, we have a small chapter and mini-Exodus. Jacob flees his father-in-law, who has him in slavery. He does so because God commands him out, and promises to be with him, just like Genesis 28:15. The parallels with Exodus are uncanny and wild. This story is for OUR instruction. God is teaching us to believe he is the true and living God who delivered mini-Israel, delivered mega-Israel, and who had delivered us. One thing to consider with this story is that our Exodus from sin and death is real and we need not live as if it didn't really happen, like we are tempted to do. We are called back to God's very real grace and then to walk with Jesus into trials that don't contradict our salvation, but in fact, deepen its impact on us.