Jacob Hustles Laban in Cattle Business

When they say what goes around comes around, they meant it. Laban got over good on Jacob with the daughter scheme and the cattle business. It was now Jacob’s turn to get over on his father-in-law Laban in the cattle business. My how the tables have turned!

Genesis 30:25-43 KJV

[25] And it came to pass, when Rachel had born Joseph, that Jacob said unto Laban, Send me away, that I may go unto mine own place, and to my country. [26] Give me my wives and my children, for whom I have served thee, and let me go: for thou knowest my service which I have done thee.

[27] And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favour in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by experience that the Lord hath blessed me for thy sake. [28] And he said, Appoint me thy wages, and I will give it.

[29] And he said unto him, Thou knowest how I have served thee, and how thy cattle was with me. [30] For it was little which thou hadst before I came, and it is now increased unto a multitude; and the Lord hath blessed thee since my coming: and now when shall I provide for mine own house also?

Jacob’s Righteousness Would Answer for Him

[31] And he said, What shall I give thee? And Jacob said, Thou shalt not give me any thing: if thou wilt do this thing for me, I will again feed and keep thy flock: [32] I will pass through all thy flock to day, removing from thence all the speckled and spotted cattle, and all the brown cattle among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats: and of such shall be my hire.

[33] So shall my righteousness answer for me in time to come, when it shall come for my hire before thy face: every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and brown among the sheep, that shall be counted stolen with me.

[34] And Laban said, Behold, I would it might be according to thy word. [35] And he removed that day the he goats that were ringstraked and spotted, and all the she goats that were speckled and spotted, and every one that had some white in it, and all the brown among the sheep, and gave them into the hand of his sons.

Let the Hustle Begin

[36] And he set three days’ journey betwixt himself and Jacob: and Jacob fed the rest of Laban’s flocks. [37] And Jacob took him rods of green poplar, and of the hazel and chesnut tree; and pilled white strakes in them, and made the white appear which was in the rods.

[38] And he set the rods which he had pilled before the flocks in the gutters in the watering troughs when the flocks came to drink, that they should conceive when they came to drink. [39] And the flocks conceived before the rods, and brought forth cattle ringstraked, speckled, and spotted.

[40] And Jacob did separate the lambs, and set the faces of the flocks toward the ringstraked, and all the brown in the flock of Laban; and he put his own flocks by themselves, and put them not unto Laban’s cattle.

Jacob Won the Stronger Cattle in Birth

[41] And it came to pass, whensoever the stronger cattle did conceive, that Jacob laid the rods before the eyes of the cattle in the gutters, that they might conceive among the rods. [42] But when the cattle were feeble, he put them not in: so the feebler were Laban’s, and the stronger Jacob’s.

[43] And the man increased exceedingly, and had much cattle, and maidservants, and menservants, and camels, and asses.

Brief Comments

After the birth of Joseph, Jacob was ready to head back to his own country in Canaan with all his labor. He asked Laban to pay up with his wives, children, and all his service.

Laban wasn’t ready for Jacob to leave; he begged him to stay awhile because he had learned GOD had blessed him for having Jacob around and taking care of him. Remember the covenant with Abraham, all nations will be blessed in thee and thy seed (Genesis 22:18).

So Laban asked Jacob what he wanted in order to stay awhile longer, he’d pay it. Jacob got to thinking. He informed Laban how Laban didn’t have many cattle before he got there but since his arrival, they have increased greatly.

Jacob Would Get His Revenge on Laban

The LORD had indeed blessed Laban since Jacob arrived, even Jacob noticed. Jacob asked if he could now own his own cattle for his own house. He then set up a system; he’d remove all the speckled and spotted cattle, as well as the brown from among the sheep and goats.

Those cattle would become his going forward, the rest would be Laban’s. This way Laban didn’t have to give Jacob anything, they’d both get a fair share, divinely from nature (GOD).

All the cattle speckled and spotted among the goats and brown among the sheep will be Jacob’s own. The rest will be for Laban and his sons. Laban agreed according to Jacob’s word. They separated their flocks, at least three days journey apart, but Jacob continued to feed Laban’s flock.

Jacob Understood the Nature of Cattle

He took fresh tree branches that exude milky-white gum from Hazel, almond, and chestnut trees and mixed them in the waters. In short, he was setting up the flocks that had no spots, speckles, or rings take to mate with those that did run in to drink the water first.

Those cattle would produce offspring with spots, speckles, and ring-strakes. Deviously brilliant by Jacob; he’s like a car mechanic hustling a young lady or man. Because he understood the nature of the cattle, he knew how to take clean advantage of Laban.

He would have strong cattle, Laban would have weaker ones. Thus Jacob increased exceedingly by the hand of the ALMIGHTY with much cattle, servants, camels, and donkeys.

More 5 Minute Studies

From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. The disciples asked, “Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

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