Genesis 47:9 – “So Jacob said to Pharaoh, ‘The days of the years of my pilgrimage are one hundred and thirty years; few and evil have been the days of the years of my life, and they have not attained to the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.’” There is no sin without a cost. You may wonder why Jacob told Pharaoh that the days of his life on earth had been full of hardship, unlike those of his forefathers. It was because of the deceit he committed when he lied to his father and took the blessing meant for his brother. Although God’s sovereign plan was at work—pointing to the coming Messiah through Jacob—what Jacob did was still wrong. And that did not exempt him from facing the consequences of his sin. That’s why, after committing the act, Jacob fled to his uncle. The very mother who had conspired with him in sin became the person he would not see again for the next 20 years. This shows that love based on sinful agreements does not last. When Jacob reached his uncle Laban’s house and served for seven years to marry Rachel, he was deceived in the same way he had deceived Esau. Laban gave him Leah instead of Rachel. Then Laban told him he would need to work another seven years to have Rachel. Jacob continued serving for many more years. When he finally returned to Canaan, his children Simeon and Levi tricked and killed innocent people (Genesis 34). As if that wasn’t enough, his firstborn Reuben betrayed him by sleeping with his concubine. Worse still, his sons deceived him by making him believe that his beloved son Joseph had been devoured by a wild animal. Jacob wept bitterly and mourned deeply. So, Jacob’s life became a cycle of deception and being deceived—quite different from Abraham and Isaac’s experiences. As Scripture says: Matthew 7:2 – “For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.” That’s why Jacob confessed that his days had been full of trouble. But in the end, God comforted him through his son Joseph. Now, that was Jacob—a man blessed by God—yet not exempt from long earthly consequences. Let us ask ourselves: if we continue to live sinful lives filled with injustice, how can we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? Proverbs 11:31 – “If the righteous is repaid on earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner!” These physical punishments point to deeper spiritual ones. Some people believe death is the end and that there are no consequences after this life. But punishment awaits all who reject God. However, God’s grace is available to shield us from these eternal consequences. This grace comes through Jesus Christ. If we surrender our lives to Him, He will forgive us, transform us, and make us new. He will erase the debt of sin and the punishments we deserved for abortion, murder, bribery, lies, theft, adultery, fraud, etc. That is the beauty of the new covenant sealed in the blood of Jesus. So, run to the cross today if you haven’t yet been saved. Repent of your sins, be baptized, have your sins forgiven, and receive the Holy Spirit—who will remain with you until the day of the Rapture. Acts 2:38 – “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” May the Lord bless you richly. Please share this message with others. If you would like to receive these teachings via email or WhatsApp, send us a message in the comment box below or call this number: +255 789001312 👉 Join our channel by clicking here >> WHATSAPP