Genesis 30: 35-36: “And he removed that day the he goats that were ringstraked and spotted, and all the she goats that were speckled and spotted, and every one that had some white in it, and all the brown among the sheep, and gave them into the hand of his sons. And he set three days’ journey betwixt himself and Jacob: and Jacob fed the rest of Laban’s flocks.”
Jacob had spent many years trying to trick other people but now an expert was trying to trick him. In this case, his father in law was a professional confidence trickster who had taken Jacob in completely. Jacob just wanted to get his brother’s share of the blessing and had played tricks with his mother’s blessing but Laban was only interested in himself and winning right now. This man had no interest in the future or God’s long term plan he just wanted to make sure that he got the best he could today. When the Lord Jesus Christ sent his disciples out on their mission, He told them “be ye therefor wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” (Matt 10: 16) It is important for Christians to remember that there are people constantly on the look out to take advantage. Some people want to have a good reputation without earning it while others want to have other things that they haven’t earned. In every case these people will take these things from other people and hope that they can force the other people to take their reputation. However, we also know that Satan has to ask the Lord for permission before he can attack any of the Lord’s people and the Lord said, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1 Cor 10: 13) Satan had to ask permission before he could attack Job and he couldn’t attack Job more than the Lord let him. (Job 1: 6-12, 2: 1-6) We can go forward in confidence knowing that the Lord understands our limits and He only tests us to strengthen us not to break us.
(The view expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)
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