City Life Starter

Written by Aisha Darwesh

The Word

³⁷ Then Jacob took fresh sticks of poplar and almond and plane trees, and peeled white streaks in them, exposing the white of the sticks. ³⁸ He set the sticks that he had peeled in front of the flocks in the troughs, that is, the watering places, where the flocks came to drink. And since they bred when they came to drink, ³⁹ the flocks bred in front of the sticks and so the flocks brought forth striped, speckled, and spotted. ⁴⁰ And Jacob separated the lambs and set the faces of the flocks toward the striped and all the black in the flock of Laban. He put his own droves apart and did not put them with Laban’s flock. ⁴¹ Whenever the stronger of the flock were breeding, Jacob would lay the sticks in the troughs before the eyes of the flock, that they might breed among the sticks, ⁴² but for the feebler of the flock he would not lay them there. So the feebler would be Laban’s, and the stronger Jacob’s. ⁴³ Thus the man increased greatly and had large flocks, female servants and male servants, and camels and donkeys.

–Genesis 30:37-43 (ESV)

¹⁰ “One time during the mating season, I had a dream and saw that the male goats mating with the females were streaked, speckled, and spotted. ¹¹ Then in my dream, the angel of God said to me, ‘Jacob!’ And I replied, ‘Yes, here I am.’
₁₂ “The angel said, ‘Look up, and you will see that only the streaked, speckled, and spotted males are mating with the females of your flock. For I have seen how Laban has treated you. ¹³ I am the God who appeared to you at Bethel, the place where you anointed the pillar of stone and made your vow to me. Now get ready and leave this country and return to the land of your birth.’”

–Genesis 31:10-13 (NLT)

⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. ⁶ But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. ⁷ For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; ⁸ he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

–James 1:5-8 ESV

Aisha’s Analysis

Throughout his life, we see Jacob striving. Right out the womb, he grabbed his brother’s heel (Genesis 25:26). As he grew up, Jacob used his craftiness and human efforts to get what he wanted. This was illustrated when he received his father’s blessing under false pretenses (Genesis 27) as well as his hard labor to pay the bride price for Leah and Rachel (Genesis 29:18). 

However, today’s scriptures point to a change in Jacob’s character. After working for Laban for so long and growing his family, Jacob desired to return to his homeland (Genesis 30:25). This posed a potential loss for Laban as Laban had become very rich with Jacob as his employee (Genesis 30:27). 

This marks a change in Jacob’s character. Returning home meant facing his brother Esau, who terrified him. What’s more, Jacob is also displaying integrity by making a deal with Laban that would clearly demarcate which animals belong to Laban (the solid colored) and which would belong to Jacob (the speckled, spotted, and black). This shows us he was making an effort to be above-board in this deal. 

After studying Jacob thus far, one might be led to think that Jacob had a trick up his sleeve and knew what he was doing when it came to protecting his family and breeding livestock. However, the scriptures reveal in Genesis 31:10-13 that God clearly instructed Jacob regarding the speckled and spotted livestock as well as the directive to return home to his family. 

Both of these instructions presented a very clear risk to Jacob. For one, returning home to his brother Esau meant that he could potentially be slaughtered along with his family. He knew his brother was a skilled hunter and could easily wipe him out. Additionally, there was no telling what would happen when the animals mated in front of the streaked branches. All Jacob had to go on was God’s revelation and instructions to him. Here, we see Jacob is beginning to operate by faith, not fear. He is making choices based on his relationship with God and not just trying to figure things out on his own. 

What’s more, in choosing to obey God in these situations, Jacob is taking risks and trusting God in the process. 

Application

In what ways are you relying only on yourself? Have you forgotten that God went to great lengths to have a relationship with you? God gave His only begotten son, so that we could be brought into His family. He wants to have a loving relationship with you and direct your path. 

Today and moving forward, make space for His grace. Don’t just rely on yourself to do what you think is best. God knows the plans He has for us, plans to give us a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). All we need to do is trust and obey Him even if it doesn’t make sense to us and even if it requires taking a risk.

Prayer

Father God, I acknowledge that I am limited and You are limitless. You know what’s best for me, and I trust You to guide me along Your path for my life. I trust You. In Jesus’ name, amen.