Genesis 31:34 Now Rachel had taken the household gods and put them inside her camel’s saddle and was sitting on them.
The hidden secrets that we are sitting on are the hamstrings of righteous living. Before Jacob fled with his family and flocked back to his father’s land, Rachel, Jacob’s wife, stole the family idols from her father’s house. Rachel’s Father Laban was the grandson of Nahor (Abraham’s brother). Abraham’s family business was “idol making” (Joshua 24:2). The Lord God moved Abraham out of a pedigree of idolatry to give him a posterity of integrity. However, Rachel stole and hid the idols from her father’s house in her camel’s saddle.
Idols were not only objects of worship but also the mark of identity and birthright to the inheritance. On the death of the head of the family, the one to whom the idols were passed on had the legitimate rights over the property of the family. It was normally passed on to the eldest to manage the estate. The greed for her father’s assets shoved Rachel to steal. When her father came looking for the idols, she sat on them and pretended to have her monthly period. Greed, lying and stealing are neighbours; they follow one another. Colossians 3:5 Put to death, therefore, .. sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Jacob was already blessed richly, yet, Rachel was avaricious, greedy and covetous for more.
Three causes, effects and remedies from greed that severs the hamstrings of integrity:
1. Slander: Slander is the first sign of hidden greed. Slandering is nothing but stealing the reputation of others. When Jacob informed his wives about his plan to migrate back to his country, they replied. “Do we still have any share in the inheritance of our father’s estate? 15 Does he not regard us as foreigners? Not only has he sold us, but he has used up what was paid for us (Genesis 31:14&15). The foolish blurting of Rachel fuelled the fire of greed and pushed her to steal the accursed objects.
2. Sly: Greed insinuates cunning, crafty and culpable plans. Genesis 31:19 When Laban had gone to shear his sheep, Rachel stole her father’s household gods. Rachel sneaked into her father’s cabin and stole the objects of divination to set-in-stone her share of the inheritance. Greed persuaded her into shameful sly swindling.
3. Steal: Greed will make a person overvalue objects and undervalue honesty. The cup of greed can never be filled as it has no bottom. When Laban came looking for his gods Jacob pronounced a curse on the person who had stolen the idols without knowing that the thief was none other than his darling greedy wife! If you find anyone who has your gods, that person shall not live (Genesis 31:32). Rachel brought a curse upon herself by stealing, lying and hiding the idols. Before Rachel could enjoy the pillage that she hoarded, she died shortly after, during childbirth. We are unsure what she did with the idols but the secret that she sat on ultimately took her life. Greed is idolatry that opens the door to curses.
Hidden secrets of greed will sever the hamstrings of integrity, honesty, truth and destroy divine providence.
Luke 12:15 “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
Prayer: Dear Jesus, let the idolatry of greed never grip my heart to insidiously give way to curse. All good and perfect gifts come from you my Heavenly Father. Amen
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