Bible Study Online Article
Laban had tricked his son-in-law into working for him for the past fourteen years, for the rights to marry his daughter Rachel. Although he was deceived, we find that Jacob had kept his word and was now at the end of this agreement. "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," Jacob would remind his father-in-law. After Laban heard that Jacob was ready to leave and set out on his own, he pitched another proposal to his son-in-law. Understand that Laban was not ready to lose the expertise and favor that he had enjoyed in his household and business during the last fourteen years. "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," Laban pleaded with his son-in-law. After Jacob had been deceived by Laban for the past fourteen years, the promise bearer would show some wisdom. He starts off by reminding Laban about the benefits and blessings that he had profited from since he had start 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?" Laban had already known this, so this statement wasn't open for debate, but Jacob just wanted it to be on record, by some type of confirmation spoken by his father-in-law. Next, the promise bearer did not want to be limited by some set wage that Laban was willing to pay him. Instead, Jacob had seen a much bigger picture. This would require him to refuse a set wage, and instead take an investment approach to this new opportunity that he was now pondering. "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." Being that Laban's livestock were mainly solid in color, rather they were black, white, tan or whatever. Spotted and speckled were few number, which caused Laban to think that these types where a rarity. Also note, that this separation was to take place immediately, and with there being so few when it came to spotted and speckled, in Laban's eyes... he was getting Jacob's expert services for next to nothing. "Agreed, let it be as you have said," Laban quickly responded. That same day he 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. Then Laban put a three day journey between himself and Jacob. The promise bearer would stay behind to tend to the rest of Laban's flocks. This separation and three day journey between the two flocks was done in an attempt by Laban to keep Jacob from using them to his advantage.
Start at: The Introduction of Abraham Start at: The Birth of Isaac Start at: The Birth of Esau & Jacob 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 PAGE->  CrossDaily.com Web Search where you can VOTE FOR THIS SITE & other great ones. Christian search engine, directory & voting index. You'll find Bible, chat, churches, jobs, music, reviews, software, theology, & more. See the best sites!
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