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Daily Devotions

Genesis

Genesis 
Day 
Day 233

"The covenant which He made with Abraham, And His oath to Isaac, And confirmed it to Jacob for a statute, To Israel as an everlasting covenant." Psalm 105:9-10

Text: Genesis 30:1-43

ASTONISHING RESULTS

Of course, Jacob poured all his concentration on breeding his goats and sheep. Never mind if they were speckled and spotted. If he had a great quantity of goats and sheep, that would more than make up for everything else.

“And it came to pass, whenever the stronger livestock conceived,
that Jacob placed the rods before the eyes of the livestock in
the gutters, that they might conceive among the rods. But when
the flocks were feeble, he did not put them in; so the feebler
were Laban’s and the stronger Jacob’s. Thus the man became
exceedingly prosperous, and had large flocks, female and male
servants, and camels and donkeys.”
GENESIS 30:41-43

The flocks that Jacob started out with began to grow significantly. In direct contrast, Laban’s flocks were obviously much weaker. Jacob’s care for his sheep and goats as shepherd must have been outstanding, even if his breeding methods may not be fully understood.


DIVERSIFIED INTERESTS

There were no restrictions made on Jacob as to what he could do with his new found wealth. Obviously he invested his money wisely.

“Male and Female servants…”

Jacob, from experience knew just how important it was to have good help. Wisely, he acquired not just “large flocks” but a good number of male and female servants to help look after his flocks of goats and sheep.

“Camels and donkeys…”

Grandfather Abraham had a large army of servants. He also had a large number of camels and donkeys. These were multiplied further under the capable hands of his father Isaac. Jacob must have learned a thing or two about breeding camels and donkeys when he lived in Canaan. The knowledge that he had stood him in good stead.


COVENANT BLESSING

The spurt of wealth that Jacob enjoyed cannot be explained easily, unless we trace an important fact. Abraham and Isaac in their lifetime also experienced phenomenal growth in wealth.

Abraham was described as being “very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold” (Cf. Genesis 13:2). Isaac was described in a similar vein. “The man began to prosper, and continued prospering until he became very prosperous” (Cf. Genesis 26:13). It was now Jacob’s turn to experience an important truth – God was keeping His covenant promise of blessing him, just as Abraham and Isaac had been blessed!