The previous studies have focused on Rachel and Leah, and the sons of Jacob. In this study, we'll take a closer look at Jacob, the man God chose to use.
(A) Jacob is a real, very human person entrenched in aspirations, conflict, half-hearted faith and worldly schemes (Gen 30:25-34)
The passage opens with the “phrase as soon as Rachel had borne Joseph”. What does this tell us about the structure of Genesis? Gen 30:25 follows the narrative after the previous section on the birth wars and conflict between the sisters. We are supposed to know something about the conflict and family situation and we do! There was great conflict in this broken, sinful family. This was a family of sin, though it is a 'family of faith'.
Gen 30:27-30 record for us a conversation between Jacob and his father-in-law Laban. Jacob shows his heart to return (Gen 30:26) but Laban tries to hold him back by flattery (even the paradoxical pairing of the LORD and divination) and offering wages (which is itself a cunning ploy) (Gen 30:27-28). Jacob reminds Laban of his blessedness and acquired wealth and tries to guilt Laban into release (Gen30:29-30). Laban's reply is cautious as he waits to see what his son-in-law will propose (Gen 30:30).
Both men had their own agendas and were seeking to advance it. Jacob sought autonomy. At this point, he finally had his own tribe, after his history of fighting for his birthright and wandering because of the trickery of birthright and blessing. He left his home with the blessing and birthright, but nothing to show for it and lonely. But by Genesis 30, he had a large family and was well-off financially. In so many ways then, Jacob is a picture of a young person, brimming with aspiration and with some security, and now eager to establish his own life and time. This is a man eager to be cut loose and be set free to fly. Is this a picture of us?
Laban also recognized Jacob's 'smarts', and more importantly, he knows that Jacob has something more -- 'blessed of God'. Laban found out by divination that Jacob was blessed by The Lord. As we saw in the verses, he offered Jacob wages, hoping to trap him in continual employment. Jacob replies cautiously, appealing to his experience (and rhetoric) and once again references the blessing of the Lord. Jacob countered Laban's proposal and requested only the rejected animals. He sought to outsmart Laban (Gen 30:31-34).
How would you describe their relationship from these verses? The distrust, hostility and fear is clear and palpable. Their conversation was fraught with wariness, and both men are making careful moves. This is a picture of human conflict, daily life in a fallen world, where words are like weapons and situations are like traps. Remember that they are actually family, and their relationship should have been one of trust. Instead, their relationship is one of distrust. Can you identify with Jacob and Laban, feeling as if you have to continually guard your back? In Jas 4:1-12, we are reminded that human conflict arises because of the passions of the heart. Individuals, seeking to satisfy their desires, end up clashing with others who are equally bent on fulfilling their plans and purposes. The Bible makes strong and clear statements about conflict -- our heart and what reigns in our souls is the cause for it.
(B) Jacob is a cunning man not faith-filled, but God-blessed (Gen 30:35-43)
Laban preempted Jacob, and kept the blemished ones for himself (Gen 30:35-36). He also took measures to cover up his tracks, putting three days journey between him and Jacob. Before we berate Laban for his cunning work, we should pause and realise that Laban is just a normal guy, who was not willing to lose what he worked so hard to build up. How often do we behave like him? In reality, heart level sin and human conflict is far more insidious, complicated and uncontrolled than we would like to imagine. This is our life all the time. What does the Bible have to say about people like Laban? The Bible is not silent, and in Prov 11:17-24, we are warned about the end result of a merciless life.
The narrative goes on to recount for us Jacob's own plans to secure his wages (Gen 30:37-42). Jacob breeds his own sheep through a clever selective breeding technique, and also selects for the stronger ones. Notice how in these verses, he does not pray. Jacob was totally unlike his father and grandfather. Remember Abraham, who conversed with God about Sodom? Remember Isaac was meditating in the fields when Rebekah appeared? How would you describe Jacob's walk with God? Jacob did not understand what a relationship with God looks like. We saw this previously in Gen 28:22, where God appeared to Jacob in a dream, yet he did not worship completely, but conditionally. Contrast this with the psalmist in Psalm 142. Jacob does not pray like this because Jacob does not know God. What about you? What are your prayers like? Do you commune with God (like the Psalmist) or do you just have a utilitarian, transactional, self-serving relationship with Him (like Jacob)?
The passage concludes with the result of Jacob's schemes (Gen 30:43). Jacob got even richer. As his flock increased, so did his household of servants, and he even managed to acquire other flocks too. Jacob was incredibly blessed, though he had a half-hearted faith.
What can we learn from this passage?
Firstly, we see a heart analysis of human conflict. Human conflict is rampant in Genesis. From Adam and Eve after the fall in Genesis 3, to their children Cain and Abel, to Abraham and Sarah and Abraham's household, we have been tracing this theme in our studies in Genesis. Genesis has been helping us to see that humans are not really capable of loving one another and getting along with one another. This is a picture of our hearts. This is a picture of a fallen world. Look at the diagnostic questions in the table below and spend time thinking and praying over them. Christians see their sinful hearts, and continue to turn back to God in repentance and faith. Some helpful questions include:
Do you find yourself putting others’ interests above your own more often?
Do you enjoy serving and delighting in the success of others more than your own?
Do you see yourself as chronically unappreciated, forgotten, and hence, bitter towards others?
Is your life revolving essentially around you, or are you also pursuing the needs and goals of others around you?
Have you been demonstrating actions of service to others, or do others tend to serve you more?
How often do you consider your ability to meet the needs of others with your resources, even at cost to yourself?
Are you pouring yourself out for other people, or does your life simply star you and your own needs?
Secondly, in Genesis 30, we also see the real life application of the covenant -- deep love for Jesus, a heart for the poor and a servant-heartedness towards others.
What is the covenant? How is it different from the many promises that God makes? In Genesis, we know that this was the covenant made with Abraham, where he promised to redeem the world through him. In the covenant are the terms of land, people and blessing. Jacob was blessed so richly because he has inherited the covenant, not because he is worthy.
For us today, we are to look to the fulfillment of the covenant in Jesus. In the life of Jacob, we see a God that redeems incredibly unworthy people. The covenant leads us to Jesus, where we see that the most diligent, hardworking, obedient man should have been rich (like in Proverbs) yet he became poor (2 Cor 8:9). Jesus was robbed of his blessings, so all of his blessings go to those who do not deserve it, all because of the covenant. And we are the recipients of this fulfilment and grace.
And knowing this wonderful truth should give us a heart for the poor. Our comforts often give us a false sense of security and dupe us into thinking that we are secure spiritually. But seeing Jesus, who gave up all his riches and for our sake became poor, frees us to do the same for others around us.
This also translates into service towards others. Service is tiring and often we may feel like we are being trapped, under-appreciated and ignored by those we seek to serve. But what is the remedy? Look at Jesus. It's not about hoarding the riches made available from Jesus, because one who sees and understands the work of Jesus will give all as He did.
The man (or woman) God redeems and blesses is so moved by His grace, he (or she) goes out to share the blessings.