Genesis 30:37 - 31:16.

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In the book of Genesis, we encounter a fascinating story involving Jacob, Laban, and a peculiar farming practice that raises significant questions about human agency, divine intervention, and the interplay between faith and labour. 

 

The episodes found in Genesis 30:37 and Genesis 31:16 highlights Jacob’s innovative approach to breeding livestock and how these actions can be interpreted through the lenses of both good husbandry and divine providence.

 

Jacob’s Breeding Strategy.

 

Jacob, the son of Isaac and grandson of Abraham, finds himself in a complex relationship with his uncle Laban, who is also his father-in-law. After years of working for Laban, Jacob seeks to separate from Laban and secure his own future and that of his family. 

Laban’s wealth had grown under Jacob’s care, through Jacob’s good farming abilities, but Jacob wanted to build his own wealth and provide for his wives and children. 

This led him to propose a breeding plan involving the selective breeding of Laban’s sheep and goats.

 

In Genesis 30:37, we read, “And Jacob took fresh sticks of poplar and almond and plane trees and peeled white stripes in them, exposing the white of the sticks.” 

 

This peeling of the bark was part of Jacob's strategy to influence the genetic outcome of the animals that were bred under his watch. The underlying assumption was that these peeled branches, placed in the watering troughs where the animals mated, would somehow affect the colour and markings of the offspring.

 

The Science of Jacob's Method.

 

This passage of scripture has been seen by some to be a story of folktales and superstition.

 

At first glance, Jacob’s practice may appear to be an unconventional method but is there any science behind it? It seems that this story is an instance of good husbandry—a clever, albeit unconventional, agricultural technique. 

 

The peeling of the bark and the strategic placement of the sticks are reflective of an early understanding of selective breeding. 

 

The belief that animals could be influenced by what they saw during mating is not entirely unfounded; studies have shown that environmental factors can influence animal behaviour and even physiological outcomes.

 

Recent studies have demonstrated that environmental factors, such as the diet, stress levels, and even visual experiences of parents, can influence the traits of their offspring. This does not mean that a zebra seeing a lion will produce a cub with spots instead of stripes, but rather that more subtle and complex changes can occur.

 

However, the biblical narrative does not merely present this story as a practical guide to farming. It goes beyond mere husbandry; it delves into the realm of faith and divine intervention. 

 

Jacob’s strategy, while seemingly practical, intersects significantly with his spiritual journey and understanding of God’s providence.

 

God has a plan for our lives and God knows the end from the beginning, whilst the actions are ours, the plan is the Lord’s. God is working out His purposes.

 

Proverbs 16:9 Man devises his ways but God directs his steps.

 

Every step along our path in life is a preparation for our service to God. Our decisions seem to be our own but it is God through His providence who is working behind the scenes. 

 

This is not a case of puppetry. It does not suggest that man is not a free agent.

 

The Westminster Confession of Faith, states:

 

God the great Creator of all things doth uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all creatures, actions, and things, from the greatest even to the least, by his most wise and holy providence, according to his infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of his own will, to the praise of the glory of his wisdom, power, justice, goodness, and mercy. (WCF 5.1)

 

The Westminster Confession of Faith also acknowledges both God's sovereignty and man's free agency. It asserts that God's decrees do not violate the will of man, meaning, God's actions don't force humans to act against their will. The Confession recognizes that God knows all things, including man's free actions, which are certainly future, but not coerced. 

 

God’s Providence in Jacob's Life.

 

The notion of God’s providence runs throughout Jacob’s story, especially as he works through the complexities of family life and work. 

 

In Genesis 31:16, Jacob’s wives, Rachel and Leah, remark, “Is there any portion or inheritance left to us in our father’s house?

Are we not regarded by him as foreigners? For he has sold us, and he has indeed devoured our money.” 

 

This moment emphasises the tension between Jacob and Laban and highlighted the injustice that the women felt.

Their father was becoming wealthier because the experienced Jacob was working for Laban, all Jacob’s and their efforts were not benefitting them but their father.

The emotional turmoil of Jacob’s family and their plight can be seen as a backdrop to God’s providence in Jacob's life. 

 

God had promised Jacob that he would prosper, and through his obedience and labour, Jacob began to see the fruits of his hard work, seemingly through his cunning breeding techniques. Yet, the narrative insists that it is ultimately God who grants success. 

 

In Genesis 31:9, Jacob acknowledges that it is God who has taken away Laban's livestock and given them to him.

 

How Faith and Labour work in tandem.

 

Jacob’s story highlights the deeper understanding of the relationship between human effort and divine blessing. 

 

The peeling of bark could symbolize our own attempts to take initiative and work diligently within the parameters set by God. 

Good farming practices are undoubtedly important; hard work and smart strategies are often necessary for success in life. Yet, Jacob's ultimate success is attributed not solely to his methods, but to God's providential oversight and favour.

 

Again we remember Proverbs 16:9 Man devises his ways but God directs his steps.

 

Whilst God has Sovereign control over all things, as the Scripture tells us:

 

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

 

In today’s context, we find ourselves in similar positions where we balance our efforts with the understanding that God is ultimately in control. The lesson from Jacob can inspire us to work diligently, to be innovative in our approaches, while also placing our trust in God’s providence.

 

Proverbs 16:3 states, "Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans," 

 

Proverbs 19:21 "Many are the plans of the human heart, but it is the decision of the LORD that endures."

 

Conclusion.

 

Jacob and God's actions show that 

man's efforts and God's providence work in tandem and suggests a partnership between human action and divine intervention. 

This view emphasizes that God is actively involved in human affairs and guides events, while humans also have a responsibility to act and make choices. It's a belief that God's plan and human agency are not in conflict but rather work together to achieve a greater purpose, predestined by a Sovereign God.