S: 37 Jacob, however, took fresh-cut branches from poplar, almond and plane trees and made white stripes on them by peeling the bark and exposing the white inner wood of the branches. 38 Then he placed the peeled branches in all the watering troughs, so that they would be directly in front of the flocks when they came to drink. When the flocks were in heat and came to drink, 39 they mated in front of the branches. And they bore young that were streaked or speckled or spotted. 40 Jacob set apart the young of the flock by themselves, but made the rest face the streaked and dark-colored animals that belonged to Laban. Thus he made separate flocks for himself and did not put them with Laban’s animals. 41 Whenever the stronger females were in heat, Jacob would place the branches in the troughs in front of the animals so they would mate near the branches, 42 but if the animals were weak, he would not place them there. So the weak animals went to Laban and the strong ones to Jacob. 43 In this way the man grew exceedingly prosperous and came to own large flocks, and female and male servants, and camels and donkeys.
Genesis 30:37-43
O: Super interesting read... After working for 7 + additional 7 years to essentially receive Rachel's hand in marriage; Jacob finally is at a point in his life where he can move away with his family. Laban cheated Jacob multiple times for his service. First by trading his first daughter for the additional 7 years of service. Going back to the point, this passage is about Jacobs service to own more wealth in order for him to take care of his family. Laban and Jacob proposed a deal for additional 7 years of labor (all together 21 years!) for Jacob to accumulate wealth.
In this new agreement, Laban was hoping to swindle Jacob for more years of service and keeping him from moving on with his life. Laban and Jacob proposed a deal in which spotted animals under his care would be given to Jacob and the pure coated animals would be given to Laban. Both men went away with their own plans in mind. For Laban to swindle Jacob, he took away all spotted animals and gave it to his sons.
Jacob proceeded to counter act this by essentially separating and conditioning the animal's behavior to breed with a certain marker (in this case the striped barks of various trees). The animals naturally tended to breed infront of the feeding trough. Jacob placed branches infront of the troughs for stronger animals and did not do so for the weaker ones. This chanced the instincts of the stronger animals to breed infront of branches instead of the watering troughs that it was so inclined to do. The weaker animals were then separated into breeding infront of troughs without branches.
Rather than get cheated for the 3rd time, Jacob essentially breeded in speckled traits into his strong flocks. It is known that animals that are hybrids genes are healthier than those that are of pure genes. Animals that are of pure coats have more similarities in parent genes and allows for amplification of recessive genes. This gives offsprings weaker traits. Healthier animals naturally have more mixed genes and thus more likely to have spotted features in their coats. In short Jacob breed spotted coats in these animals.
How would Jacob know how to do this? I believe it was all inspired by God since the true science of breeding did not occur until Mendel discovered genetics in 1882. [I'm sure they had a rough idea, but this is pure genius]
A: What did I get from this?
1. Jacob worked hard. - 7 for Leah, 7 for Rachel and 7 for his livestock. Thats a lot of years so that he could finally have kids.
2. Jacob dealt with obstacles and did not pity himself, but rather overcame those obstacles with his resourcefulness. - Jacob won over his birthright. Jacob fooled his Issac into blessing him. Finally Jacob beat Laban who tricked him for all those years of service.
3. Jacob didn't complain nor gave up his goals - He was a man on a mission. From the beginning he fell in love Rachel and worked hard to impress Laban and eventually win over all his possession. Though he got Issac's blessing, it seems like he did not come of his homeland with any of the inheritance.
Though I'm not sure if Jacob truly trusted in God at this point, but God did have a plan for him in the future. It is God who ultimately provides for us. Though its easy to say that Jacob worked hard and gained much through his own actions this isn't the case because it is only through grace we receive blessings. From this I can take away character traits from Jacobs situation. To be hardworking. To be shrew and take a hold of all opportunities that God gives. And finally not blaming God or anyone for struggles, but looking towards Him for answers, direction and blessings.
God help me to live this year to the fullest. One thing I can gather from this passage is that Jacob was not lazy, but worked hard for everything. In that I know that satisfaction in life only comes through serving you. Help me to live each day as it is my last, so that I would be fully prepared when you come back to earth. Give me patience above all! Just like how Jacob worked hard for Rachel's hand, help my anxieties of Jina and I and our future not to affect any aspect of my life. It will come when you provide and it will be blessed according to your timing. Give me the ability to be steadfast in temptation.
I pray that you can help me love you more
In Jesus Name Amen
