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Patriarchs and Prophets
willingly release. The church of Christ has been purchased with His
blood, and every shepherd should realize that the sheep under his care
cost an infinite sacrifice. He should regard them each as of priceless
worth, and should be unwearied in his efforts to keep them in a healthy,
flourishing condition. The shepherd who is imbued with the spirit of
Christ will imitate His self-denying example, constantly laboring for
the welfare of his charge; and the flock will prosper under his care.
All will be called to render a strict account of their ministry. The
Master will demand of every shepherd, “Where is the flock that was
given thee, thy beautiful flock?”
Jeremiah 13:20
. He that is found
faithful, will receive a rich reward. “When the Chief Shepherd shall
appear,” says the apostle, “ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth
not away.”
1 Peter 5:4
.
When Jacob, growing weary of Laban’s service, proposed to return
to Canaan, he said to his father-in-law, “Send me away, that I may go
unto mine own place, and to my country. Give me my wives and my
children, for whom I have served thee, and let me go: for thou knowest
my service which I have done thee.” But Laban urged him to remain,
declaring, “I have learned by experience that the Lord hath blessed me
for thy sake.” He saw that his property was increasing under the care
of his son-in-law.
Said Jacob, “It was little which thou hadst before I came, and it
is now increased unto a multitude.” But as time passed on, Laban
became envious of the greater prosperity of Jacob, who “increased
exceedingly, and had much cattle, and maidservants, and menservants,
and camels, and asses.” Laban’s sons shared their father’s jealousy,
and their malicious speeches came to Jacob’s ears: He “hath taken
away all that was our father’s, and of that which was our father’s hath
he gotten all this glory. And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban,
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and, behold, it was not toward him as before.”
Jacob would have left his crafty kinsman long before but for the
fear of encountering Esau. Now he felt that he was in danger from
the sons of Laban, who, looking upon his wealth as their own, might
endeavor to secure it by violence. He was in great perplexity and
distress, not knowing which way to turn. But mindful of the gracious
Bethel promise, he carried his case to God, and sought direction from
Him. In a dream his prayer was answered: “Return unto the land of
thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee.”