Genesis 30:37 Jacob, however, took fresh-cut branches from poplar, almond and plane trees and made white stripes on them by peeling the bark and exposing the white inner wood of the branches.
Commentary says, “God blessed Jacob, but it was not because Jacob was an especially good person. It was because of the promises God made to Jacob and the covenant made to Abraham.” My initial reaction is to argue: What the heck, God? We have seen Jacob cheat and trick and lie. We have seen him be tricked and cheated and lied to. Why would You choose to bless him?
Genesis 30:38 Then he placed the peeled branches in all the watering troughs, so that they would be directly in front of the flocks when they came to drink. When the flocks were in heat and came to drink,
It doesn’t take me long, however, to realize that God has blessed me richly, too, and not because I’m a good person. I try, but I mess up every single day. And God has promised to never leave me nor forsake me. Ever. I think the comment I began with “God blessed Jacob, but not because Jacob was an especially good person….” can be said about me, about you, about all of us.
Genesis 30:39 they mated in front of the branches. And they bore young that were streaked or speckled or spotted.
Precious Savior, Thank You for seeing our hearts, for loving us fiercely, warts and all. Thank You for reminding me that You love and bless me, not because I am an especially good person but because I am Your deeply loved child. Help me love others the way that You love me. Amen.
Genesis 30:40 Jacob set apart the young of the flock by themselves, but made the rest face the streaked and dark-colored animals that belonged to Laban. Thus he made separate flocks for himself and did not put them with Laban’s animals.
Have a blessed day.