Striped, Spotted, Speckled

Sorry for the delay today. If I pause in the middle of writing and fix breakfast, the computer kicks me off the internet and doesn't save anything previously written. I didn't know that happened today, so I typed away for nothing.

O.T.#63  "Striped, Spotted, Speckled"
June 6, 2013
Genesis 30-Part 2
Name your wages and I will pay them. Genesis 30:28 NIV


LET IT GLOW

Here's a true story: We have one cow name Blacky, who is black all over except for her white head.
Black has been a good producer of calves for us throughout the years. However, that all changed the last two years.
Last year, my husband and I both went on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic. Before the trip, I thought that Blacky's calf would be sold to pay for my expenses. I was walking by sight instead of by faith in God to provide. Well, something happened to last year's calf. We could find neither hide nor hair, not even bones of the baby. We though perhaps coyotes got it.
So this year, when it was time for Blacky to calf, I just knew it would be the money for us this time. No, it didn't happen. The was born dead. Okay, I admit that I can be slow at catching onto things, but this was very obvious to me. Lesson was learned-trust God for the needs of the mission trip. So far, He has provided what we needed for both trips, even with the increase in costs.
I think Jacob was a slow learner of life lessons, too. He lingered 6 more years with Laban. Are
you ready to go to his farm?

Jacob was ready to go back home after 14 years with Laban. He realized that it was time for him to strike out on his own and provide for his large family. Jacob had worked 14 years to get his 2 wives. God had blessed Laban because of Jacob, so Laban didn't want him to leave.

Laban covered the evil motive of his plan by using the Lord's name (verse 27) and by asking Jacob to choose the terms. (Wiersbe)

Laban offered Jacob anything, just name his terms, name his price.

Wiersbe's Expository outlines on the Old Testament explains this:

Laban asked, but Jacob refused a gift, for the last time he accepted Laban's "gift" he was deceived (29:19). Jacob offered to work as Laban's shepherd, if Laban wold give him the "rejects" of the flocks and herds. Oriental sheep are white and goats brown or black. by accepting the striped, spotted, and speckled animals, Jacob was apparently giving Laban the better deal.

Romans 6:23 says, For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life throught
Jesus Christ our Lord. 

If we don't accept God's free gift of salvation and repent of our sins, we can't have the free gift He has for us-eternal life in heaven with Him. Friend, have you done this?

LET IT GROW

Jacob the schemer devised his own plan. He tried superstitious methods of rods and sticks at the troughs to influence the outcome of the new babies' colors, but it was God who determined what color of baby sheep and goats would be. Jacob even tried "selective breeding" with thew cattle. Where was Jacob's faith? Had he been around that worldly Laban far too long? Did any of Jacob's scheming work? Stay tuned for the answers tomorrow. (I couldn't resist.)

Okay, the agreement was that none of the solid colored animals would belong to Jacob. If any were born in his flock, Laban could take them. And so the saga continues...

LET IT GO

Thank God for His grace.

Trust Him for everything.