Below the Surface
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
The story that basically details a transfer of wealth from Laban to Jacob is familiar to us for the fact that we think it contains some wonky practices that don’t seem very intelligent. We sometimes go so far as to state that Jacob was simultaneously trying to cheat his uncle and help God fulfill His promise. That’s what is on the surface. But as we look below the surface, this story is actually quite different.
Jacob’s Problem, 25-28
Jacob’s Problem, 25-28
Jacob’s Desire: to go home, 25-26
Jacob’s Desire: to go home, 25-26
Jacob had served Laban for 14 years and his diligence and knowledge, coupled with God’s hand of blessing, had made Laban a wealthy man. 14 years and 11 kids seemed like enough time and Jacob was ready to go home.
Laban’s Desire: more wealth, 27-28
Laban’s Desire: more wealth, 27-28
Jacob’s Price, 29-36
Jacob’s Price, 29-36
The speckled and spotted
a definite minority
a perceived weakness
a low wage
The three day’s space - absolute separation between herds ensured no cheating
The inexperienced children - Jacob would stay with Laban’s herds while his children managed his herds
All in all this deal greatly favored Laban!
Jacob’s Practice (this is where it gets tricky), 37-43
Jacob’s Practice (this is where it gets tricky), 37-43
The mental picture: holding up sticks in front of sheep
The stated practice, verse 38 “in the watering troughs” a place where they would steep in the water and be eaten.
western medicine views this as wonky
traditional/herbal medicine views this a wise: poplar, almond, and chestnut (probably the Oriental Plane tree) have scientifically corroborated benefits when it comes to overall physical health and reproductive health. If you have ever used an herbal supplement, you have no reason to be skeptical here.
The selective breeding program. Laban’s herds were “pure” but some obviously had produced speckled offspring before, Jacob just needed to breed carefully. “This would require three things,
intricate knowledge of the animals feeding and mating behaviors,
medicine to keep such animals healthier, and
an understanding of which animals had the genetic traits he needed to produce.”
https://answersingenesis.org/genetics/animal-genetics/jacobs-odd-breeding-program-genesis-30/
With 14 years experience, Jacob had everything he needed to pull this off. He also had a benefit that is harder to see: Divine Direction.
11 Then the Angel of God spoke to me in a dream, saying, ‘Jacob.’ And I said, ‘Here I am.’ 12 And He said, ‘Lift your eyes now and see, all the rams which leap on the flocks are streaked, speckled, and gray-spotted; for I have seen all that Laban is doing to you.
We will eventually see that Laban observed that Jacob’s herds were growing and strengthening while his herds were shrinking. He changed the terms of Jacob’s pay many times and each time, the herds produced the sheep going to Jacob (Definitely a God-thing).
On the surface, it could appear that Jacob was trying to help God out.
Below the surface we find that God’s plan was to enrich Jacob and use Laban’s flocks and herds to do it. But we also see no reason for Jacob to be passive in that. He did what he could utilizing what he knew and could do and God did what He could do.
We have to trust God’s plan. But we also have to work God’s plan. Our effort combined with His effort brings about His will. But if/when we don’t engage, His plan doesn’t move forward.
What is it in your life that you know God wants to do? Are you engaging with the plan or passively awaiting for it to just happen?
Yes, there is a sense in which we must rest and allow God to fulfill His will in us. But there is also a sense in which we must “get with the program” if God’s plan is to be fulfilled. Too much of either doesn’t work, it is the balanced, cooperative working with God that brings about God’s plan. That’s what is below the surface.