An excerpt from “The Heavenly Home; When Shall I Prepare For My Own House Also?” By Pastor Olurinmade Solomon
In chapter one, we shared the story of a King and his two sons in the land of equity and justice. We saw how the two Princes sojourned in a foreign country at the king’s order. While in the foreign country, the older son followed the king’s instructions and advice always to remember home. Therefore, when he returned home, he got a mansion and vineyards and was appointed as the Crowned Prince of the father’s kingdom. But the younger son, who, on the other hand, lived a reckless and disobedient life while in a foreign country, was rewarded with life imprisonment in his father’s kingdom.
In this chapter, we shall explore some scripture to understand how the story in chapter 1 relates to us as children of the King of heaven on sojourning here on earth. We will appreciate our need for us to prepare for our heavenly home.
In Genesis 28, we see Jacob sent by his father, Isaac, to go to a foreign land (Padan-aram) in Syria and sojourn with Laban, his uncle (vs. 1-10). While on his way to the foreign land, he had a vision of heaven. God promised to be with him throughout his sojourning, to provide for him, and to bring him back to Bethel (his promised land). Jacob, in turn, made a vow unto God in verses 11 to 22.
As soon as Jacob got to the foreign land and began his new life, he forgot about home and everything about God’s promise to him. Instead, he was busy with the affairs of life; food, shelter, marriages, and raising his own family. Thank God that after 14 years of servitude, Jacob remembered home, and he began to make concerted efforts to prepare for his return home.
“And it came to pass, when Rachel had born Joseph, that Jacob said unto Laban, 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. And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favour in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by experience that the Lord hath blessed me for thy sake. And he said, Appoint me thy wages, and I will give it. And he said unto him, Thou knowest how I have served thee, and how thy cattle was with me. For it was little which thou hadst before I came, and it is now increased unto a multitude; and the Lord hath blessed thee since my coming: and now when shall I provide for mine own house also?” Genesis 30:25-30
Jacob came to his senses after 14 years of living a life of servitude. He then spent the remaining six years out of his 20 years sojourning to prepare for his return home. Read Genesis 30:31-43, Genesis 31:38-42
Just like Jacob sojourned in a foreign land, we are all strangers and sojourners on earth. At the appointed time, the King’s messenger (death) will arrive to take us home one after another.
“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.” Hebrews 11:13-16
We brought nothing when we came to this world and will inevitably take nothing with us when we leave this world.
“And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” Job 1:21
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To be continued.
Maranatha!
Pastor Olurinmade Solomon