According to the Oxford Living Dictionary, a millennial is “a person reaching young adulthood in the early 21st century.” As Podcasts have become the new outlet for modern day talk shows, millennials have become one of the target audiences. Unfortunately, millennials also tend to be a punchline for the end of jokes with a growing number living at home with parents temporarily.
And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother in the land of Seir, the country of Edom. 4 And he commanded them, Say this to my lord Esau: Your servant Jacob says this: I have been living temporarily with Laban and have stayed there till now, Genesis 32:3-4.
Perhaps, this makes one Old Testament mama’s boy the first millennial of the Bible. According to Moses, Jacob lived with his father-in-law for more than two decades. Rather than sitting at home streaming shows and surfing the internet, Jacob made himself useful. Moses describes Jacob’s current lot in life as a herdsman and shepherd, Genesis 31:40.
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; now that I have become a man, I am done with childish ways and have put them aside, 1 Corinthians 13:11.
While I’m sure Rachel and Leah enjoyed sharing their grandchildren with Laban, the 10th change in Jacob’s wages served as the last straw. This one event pushed Jacob over the edge, realizing that it was time to leave home. Since human beings mature at different rates, the ultimate sign of growing up is putting aside childish ways. May the story of Jacob help millennials step out in faith by beginning a new life out on their own.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 