If he said, 'The speckled will be your wages,' then the whole flock bore speckled offspring. If he said, 'The streaked will be your wages,' then the whole flock bore streaked offspring. If he said, ‘The speckled will be your wages,’This phrase refers to the agreement between Jacob and Laban regarding the division of livestock. In the ancient Near Eastern context, livestock was a primary measure of wealth, and agreements like this were common. Jacob's reliance on God's providence is evident here, as he trusted that God would ensure the outcome in his favor. This reflects the broader biblical theme of God's sovereignty and provision, as seen in other scriptures like Proverbs 16:9, which speaks of the Lord directing one's steps. then the whole flock bore speckled offspring.
The miraculous nature of this outcome underscores God's intervention on behalf of Jacob. In a natural setting, the likelihood of all offspring being speckled would be low, suggesting divine influence. This event can be seen as a fulfillment of God's promise to bless Jacob, as stated in Genesis 28:15. It also prefigures the New Testament principle found in Romans 8:28, where God works all things for the good of those who love Him. If he said, ‘The streaked will be your wages,’
This part of the agreement shows the changing terms set by Laban, who attempted to manipulate the situation to his advantage. Laban's actions reflect the deceitful nature of humanity, a recurring theme in Genesis, beginning with the fall in Genesis 3. Jacob's experience with Laban can be paralleled with the trials faced by the Israelites in Egypt, where they were oppressed yet ultimately delivered by God's hand. then the whole flock bore streaked offspring.
Again, the outcome defies natural expectations, highlighting God's direct involvement. This miraculous provision is reminiscent of other biblical instances where God provides against the odds, such as the feeding of the 5,000 in the Gospels. It also serves as a type of Christ, who is the ultimate provision for humanity's needs, as seen in Philippians 4:19, where God supplies all needs according to His riches in glory. Persons / Places / Events 1. JacobThe grandson of Abraham, Jacob is the central figure in this passage. He is working for his uncle Laban and is negotiating his wages. 2. LabanJacob's uncle and father-in-law, Laban is a shrewd and often deceitful man who changes Jacob's wages multiple times. 3. FlocksThe sheep and goats that Jacob tends for Laban. The color and pattern of the animals become a point of contention and divine intervention. 4. Paddan-aramThe region where Laban lives and where Jacob has been residing and working for many years. 5. Divine InterventionThe miraculous way in which God ensures that Jacob's wages are multiplied, regardless of Laban's attempts to cheat him. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in ProvisionDespite human manipulation and deceit, God's plans and provision for His people prevail. Trust in God's sovereignty over circumstances. Integrity in AdversityJacob's experience teaches us to maintain integrity and faithfulness even when others act deceitfully. God honors those who act righteously. Faith in God's PromisesJacob's account is a reminder to hold onto God's promises, even when the situation seems unfavorable. God's word is trustworthy. Divine JusticeGod sees and rectifies injustices done to His people. We can rest in the assurance that God is a just judge. The Role of Faith in WorkJacob's diligence and faith in God's provision serve as a model for how we should approach our work, trusting God to bless our efforts. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Jacob's experience with Laban challenge us to trust in God's provision, even when others may try to take advantage of us? 2. In what ways can we see God's hand at work in our own lives, similar to how He worked in Jacob's life? 3. How does the account of Jacob and Laban encourage us to maintain integrity in our dealings with others? 4. What are some modern-day examples of situations where we might need to rely on God's justice, as Jacob did? 5. How can we apply the principle of faith in God's promises to our daily work and responsibilities? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 30:32-43This passage provides the background to Genesis 31:8, detailing the agreement between Jacob and Laban regarding the flocks and how God blessed Jacob despite Laban's attempts to deceive him. Exodus 3:21-22Similar to how God ensured Jacob's prosperity, He later ensures the Israelites leave Egypt with wealth, showing His faithfulness to His people. Psalm 37:25This verse speaks to God's provision and faithfulness, echoing the theme of divine provision seen in Jacob's life. People Aram, Isaac, Jacob, Laban, Leah, Nahor, RachelPlaces Canaan, Euphrates River, Galeed, Gilead, Jegar-sahadutha, Mizpah, Paddan-aramTopics Banded, Bare, Birth, Bore, Cattle, Flock, Flocks, Forth, Hire, Marked, Marks, Ones, Ringstraked, Ring-straked, Ringstreaked, Ring-streaked, Speckled, Spoke, Spotted, Streaked, Striped, Thus, Wages, YoursDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 31:1-24 5095 Jacob, life Genesis 31:6-9 5253 cheating Library Gen. xxxi. 11
Of no less importance and significance is the passage Gen. xxxi. 11 seq. According to ver. 11, the Angel of God, [Hebrew: mlaK halhiM] appears toJacob in a dream. In ver. 13, the same person calls himself the God of Bethel, with reference to the event recorded in chap. xxviii. 11-22. It cannot be supposed that in chap xxviii. the mediation of a common angel took place, who, however, had not been expressly mentioned; for Jehovah is there contrasted with the angels. In ver. 12, we read: "And behold …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old TestamentAppendix xvi. On the Jewish views About Demons' and the Demonised,' Together with Some Notes on the Intercourse Between Jews and Jewish Christians in the First Centuries.
IT is not, of course, our purpose here to attempt an exhaustive account of the Jewish views on demons' and the demonised.' A few preliminary strictures were, however, necessary on a work upon which writers on this subject have too implictly relied. I refer to Gfrörer's Jahrhundert des Heils (especially vol. i. pp. 378-424). Gfrörer sets out by quoting a passage in the Book of Enoch on which he lays great stress, but which critical inquiries of Dillmann and other scholars have shown to be …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah How the Rude in Sacred Learning, and those who are Learned but not Humble, are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 25.) Differently to be admonished are those who do not understand aright the words of the sacred Law, and those who understand them indeed aright, but speak them not humbly. For those who understand not aright the words of sacred Law are to be admonished to consider that they turn for themselves a most wholesome drought of wine into a cup of poison, and with a medicinal knife inflict on themselves a mortal wound, when they destroy in themselves what was sound by that whereby they ought, …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Epistle Xlix. To Anastasius, Bishop of Antioch .
To Anastasius, Bishop of Antioch [35] . Gregory to Anastasius, &c. I received the letters of thy Fraternity, rightly holding fast the profession of the faith; and I returned great thanks to Almighty God, who, when the shepherds of His flock are changed, still, even after such change, guards the faith which He once delivered to the holy Fathers. Now the excellent preacher says, Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Christ Jesus (1 Cor. iii. 2). Whosoever, then, with love of …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great The Great Shepherd
He shall feed his flock like a shepherd; He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. I t is not easy for those, whose habits of life are insensibly formed by the customs of modern times, to conceive any adequate idea of the pastoral life, as obtained in the eastern countries, before that simplicity of manners, which characterized the early ages, was corrupted, by the artificial and false refinements of luxury. Wealth, in those …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 And He had Also this Favour Granted Him. ...
66. And he had also this favour granted him. For as he was sitting alone on the mountain, if ever he was in perplexity in his meditations, this was revealed to him by Providence in prayer. And the happy man, as it is written, was taught of God [1112] . After this, when he once had a discussion with certain men who had come to him concerning the state of the soul and of what nature its place will be after this life, the following night one from above called him, saying, Antony, rise, go out and look.' …
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius A Treatise of the Fear of God;
SHOWING WHAT IT IS, AND HOW DISTINGUISHED FROM THAT WHICH IS NOT SO. ALSO, WHENCE IT COMES; WHO HAS IT; WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS; AND WHAT THE PRIVILEGES OF THOSE THAT HAVE IT IN THEIR HEARTS. London: Printed for N. Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultry, over against the Stocks market: 1679. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom," and "a fountain of life"--the foundation on which all wisdom rests, as well as the source from whence it emanates. Upon a principle …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Meditations for the Morning.
1. Almighty God can, in the resurrection, as easily raise up thy body out of the grave, from the sleep of death, as he hath this morning wakened thee in thy bed, out of the sleep of nature. At the dawning of which resurrection day, Christ shall come to be glorified in his saints; and every one of the bodies of the thousands of his saints, being fashioned like unto his glorious body, shall shine as bright as the sun (2 Thess. i. 10; Jude, ver. 14; Phil. iii. 21; Luke ix. 31;) all the angels shining …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Genesis 31:8 NIVGenesis 31:8 NLTGenesis 31:8 ESVGenesis 31:8 NASBGenesis 31:8 KJV
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