In the middle of miserable strife between his two wives, Jacob fathers 11 sons, the last being Joseph.
He asks Laban to leave so he can start building his own savings instead of just increasing Laban's.
Laban basically says no.
Jacob once again plays shrewd to the point of deception, asking for the speckled and black livestock as his own. Laban agrees but separates and sends them all away to hide them from Jacob! Jacob responds with diligent cultivation of the flock that is left, and prospers anyway.
Some think with the rods he puts before the speckled sheep, that he believes a superstition. Others that there is some scientific fact Jacob knew that we don't. Others that he put the rods there as an act of faith, asking God to bless his work. Whichever is right, the main point is that he is working at his vocation wisely and faithfully and God blesses that.
Christ in the Text
Jacob is a figure of Christ, seeking to bless and grow His flock while the snake Laban is trying to destroy His work and hinder the growth of His household to maintain his own.
Doctrinal application
The effects of sin are everywhere, and difficult to overcome. Jacob has 2 wives who make the peace of his family hard to cultivate. He has an uncle who works to prevent his financial security, and keep Jacob dependent on him.
Cultural application
The dominion mandate to fill and subdue the earth has strong opposition, but will be overcome by God's grace granting ability to His people.
Personal application
Note the parallel between our spiritual lives and our vocations. In both there are many thorns and thistles we have to work through and overcome. Shrewdness and sharp dealing is sometimes needed with unscrupulous people in the marketplace. But don't cross the line to deceit and dishonor. We cultivate our souls, our families and our vocations all by faith (or we don't do it at all), and God blesses us.
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