Genesis 30:25-34 Believers must learn to be shrewd in order to prosper
Genesis 30:25-34 Believers must learn to be shrewd in order to prosper
25 Now it came about when Rachel had borne Joseph, that Jacob said to Laban, “Send me away, that I may go to my own place and to my own country. 26 Give me my wives and my children for whom I have served you, and let me depart; for you yourself know my service which I have rendered you.” 27 But Laban said to him, “If now it pleases you, stay with me; I have divined that the Lord has blessed me on your account.” 28 He continued, “Name me your wages, and I will give it.” 29 But he said to him, “You yourself know how I have served you and how your cattle have fared with me. 30 For you had little before I came and it has increased to a multitude, and the Lord has blessed you wherever I turned. But now, when shall I provide for my own household also?” 31 So he said, “What shall I give you?” And Jacob said, “You shall not give me anything. If you will do this one thing for me, I will again pasture and keep your flock: 32 let me pass through your entire flock today, removing from there every speckled and spotted sheep and every black one among the lambs and the spotted and speckled among the goats; and such shall be my wages. 33 So my honesty will answer for me later, when you come concerning my wages. Every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats and black among the lambs, if found with me, will be considered stolen.” 34 Laban said, “Good, let it be according to your word.”
Background
Jacob had reached the end of his term having served Laban for 14 years for his two daughters. But Laban, having divined that Jacob is the reason for his prosperity was reluctant to let him go. Just then, Jacob received a strategem by the angels and proceeded to renegotiate the terms of service with Laban. Six years later, Jacob became a wealthy man but at the expense of his boss who ruthlessly exploited him for 14 years. Today’s devotion teaches us that blessedness begins with fruitfulness in all our endeavours. And in order for believers to prosper, they must be shrewd and yet innocent in their ways.
Observation
Send me away, that I may go to my own place and to my own country.
Having been prompted by the angel in a dream or open vision (see Genesis 31:10-13), Jacob requested to depart as a pretext to renegotiate the terms of his service with Laban. It has been 14 years since the day he stepped foot into Laban’s house. Having completed the terms of service in exchange for Laban’s two daughters he married, he requested to return home with his wives and children. Give me my wives and my children for whom I have served you, is a gesture of courtesy, for Jacob did not require Laban’s permission to depart. It is important to note that Jacob’s decision to return to Beersheba is not motivated by familial concerns but by virtue of his calling as heir of the promised land (Genesis 31:13).
I have divined that the Lord has blessed me on your account.
Laban’s reluctance to release Jacob is understandable as he was well aware of the cause of his blessing. For Laban has unwittingly confirmed by divination that he was blessed on Jacob’s account. And this contributed to Jacob’s boldness to renegotiate the terms of service with his father in law. Laban appeared magnanimous when he repeatedly asked Jacob to state his wages. Jacob, who knew too well that Laban would cheat again demanded no wages but to do “this one thing…”
If you will do this one thing for me, I will again pasture and keep your flock.
Jacob’s “one thing” owes itself to the angel who showed him in a vision (dream) that all males that were mating were variegated and would bring forth variegated sheep and goats (see Genesis 31:10-12). Thus, Jacob requested that every speckled and spotted sheep and every black one among the lambs and the spotted and speckled among the goats be his wages. In short, only the flock that are purely white belong to Laban. Because of the rarity of variegated sheep and goats, Laban agreed to the arrangement.
Truth
Blessedness begins with fruitfulness
Jacob’s blessedness was evident by virtue of the fruitfulness of the flock placed under his care. His work attitude, honesty and diligence are distinct features of his blessedness. God saw how Laban exploited him and was moved to prosper Jacob by way of the angels. Because God’s blessing is upon Jacob, he eventually come away from exile a very wealthy man. Jacob’s story teaches us that a man’s blessedness begins with his ability to bear fruit under dire circumstances.
Before one can possess the full measure of God’s blessings, his fruitiness must be evident to all. Jacob bore much fruit when Laban’s flock increased astronomically under his care. Fruitfulness translates into being effective in one’s work, being able to handle complex problems while fulfilling the goals of the company. In due time people will come to recognise the contribution of a fruitful worker and reward him appropriately. But make no mistake about it, for a blessed person is also a fruitful person. Thus, it is important that a worker must prove his worth through measurable goals. Many harboured a warped sense of reality making subjective and incredible claims to their worth. And many of such are accustomed to feeling unappreciated and unfairly treated because they did not have a true and objective assessment of themselves.
Therefore, believers must not be anxious but be conscientious in improving the quality of their work. Through a spirit of excellence, and in being patient, our fruit will in time become evident to all. For one’s blessedness always begins with fruitfulness.
Believers must learn to be shrewd in order to prosper
Indeed Jacob was the source of Laban’s blessings which Laban himself had confirmed by divination. It is ironical that Jacob despite having the mark of divine favour on him remained poor while his boss prospered. And it is not until Jacob renegotiated the terms of his service that he prospered, this time at the expense of his boss. Many believers do not experience the full measure of their blessings because they have never learned to be shrewd. They suppose the virtues of diligence and honesty are sufficient to grant them passage to prosperity without having to negotiate or drive a hard bargain with their associates and opponents. However, Jesus taught believers to be wise and shrewd as serpents but yet innocent as doves (see Matthew 10:16). Working hard without wisdom will only subject one to the exploitations of unscrupulous people.
How can believers be shrewd in their dealings with others? Firstly, believers must negotiate from their life of blessedness while having full confidence that God will surely prosper. Secondly, they must acquire a divine strategy. Thirdly, they must be realistic and confident on their terms to negotiate an appropriate deal. The three steps are evident in Jacob’s life when he first encountered God in a dream and received a promise from Him. Then, he received a divine strategy from the angels through which he negotiated the terms of service. Lastly, he stood firm on his offer and hollowed out Laban’s properties and estate. However, should a believer go to the extent of hollowing out his opponent like what Jacob did to Laban? The believer, as a general rule should aim for what is just and fair in any business negotiation. However, in the case of Laban, divine justice was intended for him because of his ruthlessness towards Jacob and his daughters.
Application
Are you working and constantly feeling disheartened despite showing good results at the workplace? Take some time to pray, to fast and to wait upon God. Ask Him to open your eyes and widen your perspective and understanding concerning the industry concerned. Do not be fixated on getting recognition from your company, but be open to the secret paths to prosperity. If you want to understand God from His perspective, hold no opinions. Take time and be patient when God speaks to you. In order to understand what God is saying, you need to acquire the necessary knowledge base. Read widely and allow the Spirit to guide you in your research. At the right time, God will provide you with a divine strategy and a path to prosperity.
Dear Lord, I thank you for giving me the blessing of Jacob. Cause me to bear fruit as I exercise the spirit of excellence and love in all my endeavours. Open my eyes to see and my mind to understand the secret paths to success. Give me a heart of innocence and wisdom and bless me so that I may be a blessing to my nation. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.