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In the last article we'd learned, that God had finally smiled on Rachel -- for the Lord had allowed her to be able to give birth to her very own child. The Sacred Record informs us, that she would end up naming this child Joseph:
"Then God remembered Rachel; he listened to her and opened her womb. "She became pregnant and gave birth to a son and said, 'God has taken away my disgrace.' "She named him Joseph, and said, 'May the Lord add to me another son.'" -- Genesis 30:22-24 Now it would also be at this time, we find that Jacob is ready to move on with his life? For he had came to the decision, that it was time for him to move away from Laban. Understand that Jacob wanted to do this, so that him and his family, could make their own way out in the world: "Send me [Jacob] on my way so I can go back to my own homeland. Give me my wives and children, for whom I have served you, and I will be on my way. You know how much work I've done for you." -- Genesis 30:25,26
Now remember, it has been about seven years, since Laban had tricked Jacob into working for him, for an additional seven years (which would make 14 years, that Jacob had worked for Laban in total) for the right to marry Rachel. Understand that Laban had used Jacob's weakness against him? A weakness that dealt with the tremendous love, that Jacob had for Laban's youngest daughter Rachel. Now keep in mind, that this is why Jacob had initially agreed, to work for Laban in the first place. But Laban would end up reneging on his part of the agreement, after Jacob had worked the seven years, they'd initially agreed to. Know that Laban plan, dealt with him giving Jacob his older daughter Leah in marriage, instead of Rachel. Laban would be able to carry out his deceitful plan, by using the marriage customs that were practiced in their land, to his advantage? And this is why we find Jacob waiting for his new bride, in a dark tent. And once she was presented to him (as he waited in the dark) it would at that moment, that Jacob would end up consummating the marriage, by sleeping with her. Now understand, that all of this would be done, before Jacob was actually able to see his new bride in the light. Nonetheless, it would be this unfortunate deceitful event, that would lead to Jacob agreeing to work another seven years for Laban, when it came to finally earning Rachel's hand in marriage.
And you know? I find it interesting, that when it came to this particular moment, that had just taken place from within Jacob's life -- would remind me of how he'd did a similar thing to his father (who himself was in the dark, due to his extremely weak eyesight - blindness), some 14 or 15 years before: "Jacob went close to his father Isaac, who touched him and said: 'The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau.' He did not recognize him (due to his blindness), for his hands were hairy like those of his brother Esau; so he blessed him. 'Are you really my son Esau?' [Isaac] asked. 'I am,' [Jacob] replied." -- Genesis 27:22-24
However that may have been, we also find, that although Jacob had been deceived by Laban -- the Sacred Record would reveal, (that once again) he did keep his word, when it came to fulfilling his part of the agreement. But like I stated earlier, Jacob wanted to make his own way, out in the world. And it would be during this time, that after Laban had heard that Jacob was ready to leave, he would pitch another proposal to his son-in-law? Understand that Laban wasn't ready to lose the expertise, and divine favor, that Jacob had brought to his household for the past 14 years. And it shouldn't be too hard, to see how Laban had enjoyed a very blessed season of increase, a "season" that had blessed him greatly, when it came to his overall household and business, for the past fourteen years.
Nonetheless, as we move forward... We now find, that it would at this time, that Laban would present Jacob with another proposal: "If I have found favor in your eyes, please stay. I have learned by divination that the Lord has blessed me because of you. Name your wages and I will pay them." Now after Jacob had been deceived by Laban for the past fourteen years, know that he wouldn't just accept Laban's proposal as is? And this is why at this time, we find him making Laban a counter-proposal? Know that Jacob starts off, by reminding Laban about the benefits, and blessings that he had profited from, since he had started managing Laban's flocks: "You know how I have worked for you and how your livestock have fared under my care. The little you had before I came has increase greatly, and the Lord has blessed you wherever I have been. But now, when may I do something for my own household?" And of course, Laban had already knew this -- so Jacob's statement wasn't open for debate. But understand, that this was Jacob's way, of wanting the facts to be on record. And Jacob did this, by getting Laban to actually admit, to all the things that he had done for him, for the past 14 years.
Nonetheless, next we find, that Jacob didn't want to be limited by some "set wage" -- that Laban was willing to pay him. This decision had came about, because Jacob had remembered a vision, that the Most High had shown to him, some time before. And because of what he had saw, when it came to that vision -- Jacob would refuse the "set wage" that was being offered by Laban. And because of this, Jacob decides to take an investment approach, to this new proposal (which was now a business opportunity) that was now being presented to him: "Don't give me anything, but if you will do this one thing for me, I will go on managing your flocks. Let me go through all your flocks today and remove from them every speckled or spotted sheep, every dark-colored lamb and every spotted or speckled goat. They will be my wages, and my honesty will testify for me in the future, whenever you checked on the wages that you have paid me. Any goat in my possession that is not speckled or spotted, or any lamb that is not dark-colored, will be considered stolen." -- Genesis 30:31-33
And being that Laban's livestock were mainly solid in color, for they were either solid black, or white, and some were even tan in color. But when it came to Laban's livestock being "spotted and speckled" -- know that this type of livestock, were in fact, few in number. As a matter of fact, they were seen as being very rare. Also note, that the separation of the flocks, was to take place immediately. And with there being so few, when it came to the flock being "spotted and speckled" -- in Laban's mind... he'd felt like he was getting Jacob's expert services (once again) for next to nothing. And this is why we find Laban, quickly telling Jacob: "Agreed, let it be as you have said." So on that same day, Laban had removed all the male goats that were "streaked or spotted", and all the "speckled or spotted" female goats (which were all that had white on them). And when it came to all the dark-colored lambs, Laban had placed them in the care of his sons.
Next we find, that Laban had placed a three day journey between himself and Jacob. And this is why, it would be at this point, that we find Jacob staying behind to tend to the rest of Laban's flocks. Understand that this separation, and the three day journey, that Laban had set between his group, and Jacob's and their flocks -- was done in an attempt, to keep Jacob from using Laban's larger flock (the one that contained all the solid color goats and lambs) to his advantage. So basically, Jacob was starting over from scratch, when it came to the building of the flocks.
Now even in Laban's moment of sincerity, and conviction, when it came to Jacob and his overall treatment of him -- know that Laban's greedy heart, would still find a way to reveal itself? But when it comes to Jacob and Laban's new business agreement? I wonder -- who will the advantage eventually fall to?
The Sons of God - The Daughters of Men **YOUR CURRENT - BIBLE STUDY ONLINE SERIES - WOULD BE HERE**
43) Jacob - The Path of Uncertainty 44) Jacob - The Stone Pillow Dream 46) Jacob - The Love Season of Reaping 50) The Mandrake Plant of Love 52) <-CURRENT - BIBLE STUDY ONLINE - PAGE->
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