Topical Bible: Jacob: Sharp Practice of, With the Flocks and Herds of Laban

◄ Jacob: Sharp Practice of, With the Flocks and Herds of Laban ►

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Jacob, the son of Isaac and Rebekah, is a prominent patriarch in the biblical narrative, known for his complex character and pivotal role in the history of Israel. One of the notable episodes in Jacob's life involves his dealings with his uncle Laban, particularly concerning the flocks and herds that he managed while in Laban's service.

After fleeing from his brother Esau, Jacob found refuge with Laban in Paddan-aram. Jacob agreed to work for Laban for seven years in exchange for the hand of his daughter Rachel. However, Laban deceived Jacob by giving him Leah instead, prompting Jacob to work an additional seven years for Rachel. This initial deception set the stage for a relationship marked by mutual cunning and sharp practices.

The account of Jacob's sharp practice with Laban's flocks is found in Genesis 30:25-43. After the birth of Joseph, Jacob expressed his desire to return to his homeland. Laban, recognizing the blessing Jacob's presence had brought, persuaded him to stay by offering wages. Jacob proposed an arrangement where he would take as his wages every speckled and spotted sheep and every dark-colored lamb, as well as every spotted and speckled goat. Laban agreed, seeing this as a favorable deal.

Jacob, however, employed a shrewd strategy to increase his share of the flocks. He placed peeled branches in the watering troughs where the stronger animals mated, believing this would influence the offspring to be speckled or spotted. The Berean Standard Bible recounts this practice: "Then Jacob took fresh branches of poplar, almond, and plane trees, and peeled the bark, exposing the white inner wood of the branches. And he set the peeled branches in the troughs in front of the flocks—where they came to drink. And the flocks bred in front of the branches, and they bore young that were streaked or speckled or spotted" (Genesis 30:37-39).

Through this method, Jacob's flocks increased significantly, while Laban's diminished. The narrative suggests that Jacob's actions were not merely a result of human cunning but were also divinely sanctioned. In a dream, God revealed to Jacob that He had seen all that Laban had been doing to him and that He would bless Jacob's efforts (Genesis 31:10-12).

Jacob's sharp practice with the flocks and herds of Laban highlights his resourcefulness and determination to secure his future. It also underscores the theme of divine providence, as God continued to fulfill His covenant promises to Abraham's descendants through Jacob, despite human imperfections and schemes. This episode serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and faithfulness in the unfolding of His redemptive plan.

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Genesis 30:32-43
I will pass through all your flock to day, removing from there all the speckled and spotted cattle, and all the brown cattle among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats: and of such shall be my hire.
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