Topical Bible: Covetousness in Defrauding Laban of his Flocks and Herds

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◄ Covetousness in Defrauding Laban of his Flocks and Herds ►

Topical Encyclopedia

The narrative of Jacob and Laban, found in Genesis 30:25-43, provides a vivid illustration of covetousness intertwined with familial and economic relationships. This account highlights the complexities of human desires and the moral challenges they present.

Background

Jacob, having served Laban for many years, initially for the hand of his daughters Leah and Rachel, finds himself desiring to establish his own household and wealth. After the birth of Joseph, Jacob approaches Laban to request permission to return to his homeland. Laban, recognizing the prosperity Jacob's presence has brought him, is reluctant to let him go. He offers Jacob the opportunity to name his wages for continued service.

The Agreement

Jacob proposes an agreement that seems to favor Laban: he will continue to tend Laban's flocks, and as his wages, he will take only the speckled, spotted, and dark-colored sheep and goats. Laban, seeing this as a favorable deal, agrees. However, Jacob employs a cunning strategy to increase his own wealth. He uses selective breeding techniques, placing peeled branches in the watering troughs to influence the appearance of the offspring, ensuring that the stronger animals bore speckled and spotted young, which would belong to him.

Covetousness and Deception

The actions of both Jacob and Laban are steeped in covetousness and deception. Laban's initial reluctance to release Jacob and his later attempts to change the terms of their agreement (Genesis 31:7) reveal his desire to retain wealth and prosperity at Jacob's expense. Conversely, Jacob's manipulation of the breeding process, while clever, reflects a desire to amass wealth through questionable means.

The Berean Standard Bible captures the essence of this narrative: "So Jacob set apart the young of the flock by themselves, but made the rest face the streaked and dark-colored sheep in Laban’s flocks. Then he set his own stock apart and did not put them with Laban’s animals" (Genesis 30:40). This verse underscores Jacob's strategic separation of the flocks to ensure his own prosperity.

Moral and Ethical Considerations

From a conservative Christian perspective, this account serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of covetousness and the ethical dilemmas it can create. Covetousness, defined as an intense desire for something that belongs to another, often leads to actions that compromise integrity and trust. Both Jacob and Laban exhibit behaviors driven by self-interest, resulting in a strained relationship and eventual separation.

The account of Jacob and Laban invites reflection on the importance of honesty, integrity, and reliance on God's provision rather than human cunning. It challenges believers to examine their own hearts for covetous desires and to seek contentment in God's blessings, trusting in His timing and provision.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 30:35-43
And he removed that day the he goats that were ringstraked and spotted, and all the she goats that were speckled and spotted, and every one that had some white in it, and all the brown among the sheep, and gave them into the hand of his sons.
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