Genesis 30:31b-36 – Honesty prevents misunderstanding

In Jacob’s negotiation with Laban, he asked one poignant question in verse 30b, “But now, when shall I provide for my own household also?” That question elicited a quick response from Laban. He asked, “What shall I give you?” With that question Jacob quickly seized the opportunity to outline what he felt would be a fair deal. He thought of a way that would prevent Laban from accusing him of any wrong doing in future. He asked Laban to separate every specked and spotted sheep and goat, and every black lamb from his flock and be given to him as his wages. These kinds of sheep and goats were fewer than the single coloured ones. In so doing, Jacob ensured that in his possession there would not be any single-coloured sheep and goat, except black lambs. Any non-mottled goat and sheep and every non-black lamb found among his flock in future would be considered stolen from Laban. Most sheep as we know are white in colour and most goats are dark in colour, either black or brown. Rarely can mottled sheep and goats be found. So thinking that Jacob’s request was foolish, Laban must have cynically sneered underneath his breath and quickly agreed to the proposal.        

  

So we read in verses 35-36 that Laban jumped into action immediately that very day. He actually overstepped what was agreed. Verse 32 tells us that Jacob was supposed to do the removing not him. But he quickly had the mottled sheep and goats and black lamb from among his flock removed himself and had his sons tend to them. Those that belonged to him he had them separated three days journey apart from what now belonged to Jacob. And his nephew continued to tend to those that belonged to him. He must have thought that with all the single coloured animals together, hardly would mottled goats or sheep be produced. Or so he thought. He was outsmarted by his nephew and he didn’t even know it. For Jacob was smarter than he thought, and we shall read about them in verses 37-43.

This episode is a lesson on how to deal with others honestly. Obviously, Laban as an employer was not fair. He never did take care of his employee’s welfare. He sought time and again to take advantage of his own nephew. How Laban behaved toward his nephew should not be the one we, as believers, should emulate. Honest earning is not wrong. In fact every business must aim for profit. But to profit at someone else’s expanse is not God honoring. Jacob coming to Laban to talk about his future is something honorable. He did not do anything behind his uncle’s back. It was the right thing to do. He must have thought through carefully what he wanted and what could help him to acquire and increase his own stock. It was a fair negotiation that Jacob proposed, and Laban accepted it. There was no ambiguity in the proposal, Jacob set it out clearly before his uncle. Openness and honesty is the best way to go in any relationship. We should never allow our actions to be used as an excuse to accuse us and malign God.