As soon as Rachel had borne Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, “Send me away, that I may go to my own home and country. Give me my wives and my children for whom I have served you, that I may go, for you know the service that I have given you.” But Laban said to him, “If I have found favor in your sight, I have learned by divination that the Lord has blessed me because of you. Name your wages, and I will give it.” (30:25–28)
Jacob has been in the household of his Uncle Laban for twenty years. He was there seven years before he married Leah, then had twelve sons and a daughter from his two wives and two concubines. And he wants to return home. His Uncle Laban knows that the Lord has blessed him because of Jacob, so he urges Jacob to stay, and Laban will give him whatever wages he desires. Jacob asks for the speckled and spotted among the goats, plus the black lambs (so it will always be clearly seen which animals belong to whom) – to which Laban agrees, but then Laban removes all the spotted and speckled goats and the black lambs and puts them in the charge of his sons a distance of three days journey from Jacob.
What a cheater! Should we be surprised at such actions after he had Jacob work for him for seven years for Rachel, but then gave him Leah?
But Jacob tries to manipulate things so that he would get the stronger of the flock, and Laban get the weaker.
Do note that just as God opens and closes the wombs of women, it was God, and not Jacob’s shenanigans that built him a strong flock (Genesis 31:11). It is God who blesses or withholds blessings.
How often have I credited myself for a good outcome? Maybe I acted in a wise way and am pleased with myself, giving myself credit for that wisdom. Maybe I acted in a godly way with a good outcome and am pleased with myself. Wisdom is a gift from God. If I have acted in a godly way, that is God’s empowering me to do so. So how do I/we prevent ourselves from being proud? There’s nothing wrong with being pleased when we realize we have acted wisely or in a godly fashion. But I think to help keep us from being proud, we can thank God for the wisdom or the godly response, acknowledging that these things originate with Him.
Prayer: God, I know that in life I have to deal with dishonest people, but I thank You that I can look to You to “have my back” – to take care of me. Thank you that I don’t have to resort to dishonesty, or to repay evil with evil, but that I can repay evil with good as Your Word says, and You will bless! Amen!
