Bible Study Online Article

In the last article we learned that the Lord had finally smiled on Rachel - for she was now able to give birth to her very own child that she would end up naming Joseph. It would also be at this time, that we'd discover that Jacob is ready to move on with his family, in order for them to make their own way.

Remember that Laban had tricked Jacob into working for him for the past fourteen years.

Laban used Jacob's weakness against him, which dealt with the love that he had for his daughter Rachel.

In fact, Jacob wanted the right to marry her, and had initially agreed to work seven years for Laban.

But Laban would renege on his promise after Jacob had worked the seven years, and ended up giving him his older daughter Leah instead. This would lead to Jacob agreeing to work another seven years, when it came to earning Rachel's hand in marriage.

And although Jacob was deceived, we find that he'd kept his word and had fulfilled his part of the agreement for the past fourteen years. But now Jacob wanted to make his own way: "Send me 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 after Laban had heard that Jacob was ready to leave, he pitched another proposal to his son-in-law. Know that Laban wasn't ready to lose the expertise and divine favor that Jacob had brought. Laban had enjoyed a very blessed season of increase because of Jacob - that affected him greatly when it came to his household and business for the last fourteen years.

So 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, he wouldn't just accept Laban's proposal as is, instead he makes Laban a counter-proposal. He starts off, by reminding Laban about the benefits and blessings that he had profited from, since he had started managing his 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 this statement wasn't open for debate, but Jacob just wanted these facts to be on record, by getting Laban to acknowledge all that Jacob had done so far.

Next we find that Jacob didn't want to be limited by some "set wage" that Laban was willing to pay him. Instead, Jacob had seen a vision that God had given him, and because of this, Jacob would refuse that "set wage" that was offered by Laban, and instead, take an investment approach to this new 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, white, and perhaps tan. But when it came to them being "spotted and speckled" these types were in fact, few in number and very rare.

Also note, that this separation 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 felt like he was getting Jacob's expert services - once again, for next to nothing: "Agreed, let it be as you have said." Laban said in a quick response to Jacob.

So that same day, Laban removed all the male goats that were "streaked or spotted", and all the "speckled or spotted" female goats (all that had white on them) and all the dark-colored lambs, and he placed then 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. This separation and three day journey between the two groups and flocks, was done in an attempt by Laban to keep Jacob from using the larger flock that contained the solid color goats and lambs -- to his advantage.

Even in Laban's moment of sincerity and conviction when it came to Jacob, his greedy heart still finds a way to shine through. But to whom, will the advantage eventually fall to - Jacob or Laban?

The Introduction of Abraham

The Birth of Isaac

The Birth of Esau & Jacob

**YOUR CURRENT BIBLE STUDY ONLINE SERIES WOULD BE HERE**

Jacob - Wrestles with God

Joseph the Favorite Son

Joseph the Overseer of Egypt

The Unveiling of Joseph

42) Esau - Heart of Vengeance

43) Jacob - The Path of Uncertainty

44) Jacob - The Stone Pillow Dream

45) Rachel the Shepherdess

46) Jacob - The Love Season of Reaping

47) Leah Gains Favor with God

48) Bilhah the Child Bearer

49) Zilpah the Child Bearer

50) The Mandrake Plant of Love

51) The Birth of Joseph

52) <-CURRENT BIBLE STUDY ONLINE PAGE->

53) Jacob the Master Shepherd

54) Jacob the Prosperous

55) Jacob Departs from Laban