This may be a Laban season for you. This chapter of Jacob’s story could be yours also. Stay honest and faithful. Your integrity will speak for you. You may be working hard, and the terms are changing continually. Perhaps someone is benefiting from your integrity, but in return, they are cheating you? This is the story we are reading today.
“After Rachel gave birth to Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, “Send me on my way so I can go back to my own homeland. 26 Give me my wives and children, for whom I have served you, and I will be on my way. You know how much work I’ve done for you.” 27 , but Laban said to him, “If I have found favour in your eyes, please stay. I have learned by divination that the Lord has blessed me because of you.” 28 He added, “Name your wages, and I will pay them.” 29 Jacob said to him, “You know how I have worked for you and how your livestock has fared under my care. 30 The little you had before I came has increased greatly, and the Lord has blessed you wherever I have been. But now, when may I do something for my own household?” 31 “What shall I give you?” he asked. “Don’t give me anything,” Jacob replied. “But if you will do this one thing for me, I will go on tending your flocks and watching over them: 32 Let me go through all your flocks today and remove from them every speckled or spotted sheep, every dark-coloured lamb and every spotted or speckled goat. They will be my wages. 33 And my honesty will testify for me in the future, whenever you check on the wages you have paid me. Any goat in my possession that is not speckled or spotted, or any lamb that is not dark-coloured, will be considered stolen.” 34 “Agreed,” said Laban. “Let it be as you have said.” 35 That same day, he removed all the male goats that were streaked or spotted, and all the speckled or spotted female goats (all that had white on them) and all the dark-coloured lambs, and he placed them in the care of his sons. 36 Then he put a three-day journey between himself and Jacob, while Jacob continued to tend the rest of Laban’s flocks.” (Genesis 30:25-36)
The time has come for Jacob. Joseph was born. It’s now 14 years since Jacob started working for his uncle Laban. He now believes it is time. He must leave and go back home. Laban knows that God has blessed him because Jacob was with him. “The Lord has blessed me because of you.” He knew it, even though he did not personally have a relationship with God.
Jacob asks what we perhaps don’t expect: the speckled, spotted, and dark-coloured animals will be his, and if any solid-coloured animal appears in his flock, then he can be called a thief.
This is the posture of someone who knows they don’t need to manipulate outcomes.
Laban agrees and then immediately cheats. That same day, he removes all the streaked, spotted, and dark animals from the general flock and puts them three days’ journey away, under the care of his own sons. He strips the gene pool before Jacob can work with it.
Jacob doesn’t erupt. He doesn’t quit. He keeps tending Laban’s flocks. Even though Laban deceives him, Jacob remains in position.
- Even if people don’t see it or say it, they can see God’s blessing on your life and work. Laban could see God’s work and hand on Jacob even if he didn’t recognise it.
- Jacob offered a fair proposal in good faith because he trusted God for his life.
- We leave this stage of the story with Jacob not fully aware of what has taken place. Jacob proposes a deal, Laban accepts it, and then immediately cheats.
Jacob cannot see at this stage what Laban is doing, but God can.
This may be a Laban season for you. Stay honest and faithful.
God sees what’s happening behind your back. God knows the schemes against you. God is already working on your behalf, even when you can’t see it yet.
Stay faithful. Stay honest. God is watching, God is working, and God will vindicate you.
No one’s deception can steal the blessing from your life. What God has purposed for you will come to pass, regardless of who tries to cheat you out of it.
Missions Paul 