To be truthful, I’ve had a difficult time keeping up with all the deceit that continues to roll in the story of Jacob.  God had a plan for Jacob and He kept His word, but this chosen one keeps manipulating situations to make sure he gets what he needs.  Then there is Laban, Jacob’s uncle.  This man has attempted to control Jacob from the day Jacob arrived in Haran.  Let’s summarize a few events as we pick up with Chapter 30.

Let’s begin with the wives in Jacob’s life.  There is Leah, given in marriage deceitfully to Jacob by her father, Laban, simply because she was the oldest and needed to be married first.  Jacob labored seven years in order to provide a dowry for marrying Rachel and got Leah instead.

Rachel, the chosen bride that Jacob desires and doesn’t get until he’s married to Leah.  After fulfilling his marriage week with Leah, Laban agrees to give Jacob the bride of his heart, Rachel.  Jacob then works another seven years for Laban’s youngest daughter.  Up to this point you might surmise that Jacob is suffering the consequences of his previous behavior with stealing the birthright and blessing from his brother, Esau.  Maybe, you assume, Jacob has learned a valuable lesson and will begin to walk in righteousness.  Not so much.  But wait…there’s more.

The two wives (sisters) begin to have a type of baby-making competition.  Each woman, upon marriage, was given a maidservant.  Leah’s servant was Zilpah and Rachel’s servant was Bilhah.  Leah bore four sons to Jacob.  Rachel, not becoming pregnant, gave Jacob her servant, Bilhah, to bear a child.  Bilhah had two of Jacob’s sons.  Back to Leah who witnesses what is happening and she isn’t having more children so she switches to her servant, Zilpah.  Zilpah sleeps with Jacob and Zilpah produces two additional sons.  Whew, let’s slow down and name all these boys and the meanings of their names.  (I have placed all the sons on this list in addition to the names listed above.)

Sons of Leah

Reuben                                name means      see, a son

Simeon                 name means      hearing

Levi                        name means      joined

Judah                    name means      praise

Issachar                name means      hire

Zebulun               name means      dwelling

Sons born to Bilhah, Rachel’s servant

Dan                        name means      judge

Naphtali               name means      wrestling

Sons born to Zilpah, Leah’s servant

Gad                        name means      a troop or good fortune

Asher                    name means      happy

Son of Rachel

Joseph                  name means      adding

Benjamin             name means      son of the right hand

You will become very familiar with these names since these sons are the representatives, or heads, of the twelve tribes of Israel.  Jacob’s name will be changed to Israel in an upcoming chapter.  Even though God does not condone the multiple wives of Jacob, God will use these sons to produce the tribes needed to carry out His Will.

A couple of notes of clarification:  in the readings it appears that Reuben (Jacob’s firstborn son by Leah) obtained some mandrakes.  I asked you to see out what these were and their purpose.  Mandrakes were believed to possess fertility benefits when eaten.  Rachel, desperate to become pregnant, struck a deal with Leah.  If the mandrakes were given to Rachel, Leah would be given the privilege of being with Jacob in the physical sense.  Now, this brings the question of the relationship between Jacob and Leah.  Weren’t they already husband and wife?  Wasn’t he already “lying” with her?  Apparently not, or at least something had altered Leah’s wifely privileges.  Scripture doesn’t outline specifics.  I also wonder why Rachel has the authority to give this privilege back to Leah, but obviously she does and this was Rachel’s bargaining tool for obtaining the mandrakes.  As a result of this encounter between Jacob and Leah, she becomes pregnant again and gives birth to Issachar and later on another son, Zebulun.  Once Rachel gives birth to Joseph, the first of her two sons, Jacob begins conversations with Laban concerning his desire to return to his homeland.

Evidently the fourteen years of service has been concluded and Jacob is ready to return to the promised land of his upbringing.  Laban, realizing his prosperity has resulted from Jacob’s presence in his home, renegotiates Jacob’s previous work agreement for him to remain in Haran.  But remember Laban’s craftiness with getting what he wants.  On this occasion the matter involves Laban’s flocks.  This part of the story is very hard to understand, or at least it was for me.  I researched several sources, asked for Gary’s logical abilities and found on Windows Internet Explorer at source entitled, Bible Study Manuals: Genesis 30: 25-43, an explanation I can at least understand.  But as I was trying to decide who got what speckled animal and decipher all the details that surrounded the story, I suddenly asked myself, “What is important about this text and what should we take away from this portion of scripture?”

Therefore, I must give a few comments.  It appears that both of these men were trying to outwit each other.  In the end Jacob prospered because that was God’s Will.  Jacob’s prosperity had nothing to do with placing certain branches in the animals’ drinking water or having them visually exposed to animals with various markings. Becaus God made a covenant with Abraham guaranteeing the prosperity of his descendents including their possession of the Promised Land.  And God does not lie!  Jacob would prosper because God had ordained it.  But in Laban’s eyes an agreement that appeared to be geared for his personal gain at Jacob’s expense was not fulfilled.  The result?  Tensions are beginning to rise.

Dear Lord, I praise and thank you that you take our flawed human condition, forgive our sins, wash us white as snow and make us fit for your use.  By giving us examples like Jacob, you are shown to keep your promises and bring about desired outcomes in spite of our attempts to help you.  Keep us before the throne of grace and mercy always asking for guidance and hold us back from stepping outside your will.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Next week’s assignment:  Read Chapter 31

1.      Laban’s sons are beginning to accuse Jacob of stealing animals from their father since God is producing sheep and goats with markings previously agreed to be part of Jacob’s wages.  What action does Jacob take?

2.    Why did Rachel steal her father’s household idols?  Jacob believed in the One True God and Rachel must have been exposed to Jacob’s faith, so why take these idols?

3.    When Laban pursued Jacob’s entourage, he was spoken to in a dream.  What was the message Laban was given?

4.    After searching the tents of Jacob’s family for his idols and not finding them, Laban was reminded of the injustices shown to Jacob. What were the main issues Jacob brings up to Laban that probably has been bothering him for years?

5.    The two men built a pillar of stones as a sign for the pact they made with one another.  What exactly was the agreement?  Any special meaning attached to the names given to the pillar of stones?