Gen 30:35-39

[BuckyB]

Something I've always wondered: Jacob put striped branches at the watering trough and this caused the goats to bear striped or spotted young. How does that work?

[Micter]

Something I've always wondered: Jacob put striped branches at the watering trough and this caused the goats to bear striped or spotted young. How does that work?

If God tells you to do something it will work.

[BuckyB]

If God tells you to do something it will work.

Can't argue with that.

[Zhangliqun]

There's a pattern with sticks. Moses stuck his staff into the Red Sea. How'd that work? I don't know, it just did...

[MusicChad]

It is interesting to note that a little further over in Genesis 31:10-13 that God spoke to Jacob in a dream and revealed that Laban was taking advantage of him. As part of that revelation, note that the rams were "ringstreaked, speckled, and grisled". It may be that Jacob "thought" the stripes were from the sticks but really were a result of Laban cheating him...

Remember that this was getting close to the end of the 14 years that Jacob owed Laban. He in some ways had a right to claim some of Laban's "stuff" although it would appear that Jacob was content to trust God for provision. Jacob clearly wanted to return to Canaan and Laban clearly wanted him to stay.

Laban was a trickster and was trying to get away with giving up as little as possible to Jacob. As the flocks began to be sorted out by color, etc. this was one way that God both helped Jacob to receive just payment for his labor regardless of what Laban was going to try to do AND helped prompt Jacob to return to Canaan.

[scooteraz]

The branches didn't work; at least they did not work in the sense that they caused the additional spotted and striped goats or that the action was somehow through them. The branches were not there for the sheep and the goats. The branches were there for Jacob, and for us. There is no particular miracle in sheep and goats producing some variation in coloring, indeed, if yo look at most animal husbandry, it is the search for a specific sort of conformity that causes weakness in the breed. The miracle was really God giving Jacob such a wiley character.

Jacob knew, or at least observed, that while pure white animals were the most desirable for most folks, the "spotted" or "gristled" animals were really stronger (probably due to less inbreeding). So, he took the genetic diverstiy. The miracle was that in a world that valued pure white animals, he was willing to trust the Lord and take the "inferior" animals. the Bible says he took the stronger animals and put them in front of the branches. Stronger animals would, normally, have more genetic diversity, and would be more likely to produce off color offspring.

There is no verse that says that God told Jacob to cut the branches. So, it would be speculation to say that he did it because of God's direction. But, obviously, Jacob put some stock in the idea that the branches would cause the mating to "go his way", based on his faith in God. That the statistics were boosted in his favor through God's action (or at the very least, a bit of a statistical anomoly) is another part of the miracle. Again, the sticks had nothing to do with it.

[MusicChad]

Jacob knew, or at least observed, that while pure white animals were the most desirable for most folks, the "spotted" or "gristled" animals were really stronger (probably due to less inbreeding).

I can't seem to find it at the moment, but I seem to remember reading that as part of this whole thing, the tribe Jacob would be returning to in Canaan found the spotted/gristled to be exceedingly desirable. So as part of providing for Jacob, the Lord allowed the flocks to become more valuable for Jacob than they were for Laban...

Sorry - I remember this passage from a LOOOOONG time ago... There is a lot there about trusting God and how He always provides and rewards those who serve him honestly/completely etc. - even when others around you are trying to take advantage of you, etc. It is funny in that way that this came up today as I really feel like I took one on the chin Friday here at work... I was blamed for something that I had absolutely nothing to do with and no control over... PURELY a political move on the part of a co-worker... It is a great reminder for me that the Lord ultimately does control all things.:clap:

[Micter]

Laban was dealing unrighteously with Jacob. Look further back where Laban promises to Jacob all of the blemished animals. Then in vs. 35 Laban removes all of the blemished animals from the herd in order to cut down the number of blemished animals he would have to give Jacob. While the story doesn't explicitly say that God spoke to Jacob about the sticks it is inferred. If the sticks had no significance they would not have been mentioned. Secondly that was God's way of dealing with Laban's unrighteousness as well as providing for Jacob. I see the obedience of Jacob doing something that made absolutely no sense in the natural as having supernatural significance. Much like Naman having to dip 7 times in the Jordan.

[Hardrokn1]

Here is a thought (never occurred to me before till I read this post...then it started to drop as if from Heaven itself)

The Messiah is referred to as a "branch" many times in Scripture. I believe God does and mentions everything for a reason, even if it isn't necessarily grasped until a future time.

This act by "Jacob" almost appears to be an act of "sorcery" when in actuality it was the work of God Himself.
(Can you think of somebody (Jesus/Jacob fulfilled) later on appearing to do works and be accused of "sorcery"?)

We know that Jesus (The "Branch") was striped/wounded and that he was also spotted or blemished by taking our sins upon us. This act with the branches probably didn't and still doesn't make sense and even seems odd to many then and now.

It is by this that Jacob (type of Christ) was actually blessed Himself and brought true blessings to many would be brethren given to Him by The Father ("all whom the Father give to me...")

This indiscernible to many and seemingly "foolish" act was how God chose to bless "Jacob" with a thriving flock for Himself.

Sure, His flock may not be considered "noble" and may even be considered nothing but a bunch of "rejects" and considered "blemished" "unclean" gentiles; But this flock is His and is a blessing to Himself and many though they don't realize it!

That which seems to make no sense to most, is actually quite wise and perfect after all.

This was no act of sorcery or foolishness but was and is the wisdom and power of God!

Abba is great!
amen.

[Mark From Hawaii]

Jesus also said in John 3:14-15 that He would be lifted up as Moses had lifted up the brazen serpent on the pole (Numbers 21:6-9) so that the people "snake-bitten" would be healed as long as they looked up. Jesus became our sins on that cross for all to see. Serpent -> staff/standard -> marred sticks -> sins... Hmmm... Pretty intereseting.

[Hardrokn1]

I believe Jacob more than likely did this unknowingly as he was moved by God; The same way all others in Scripture and our own life events are being led by the sovereign hand of God. This way (one of many) we would see the teachings and types of Christ demonstrated and confirmed through ours and others lives; past present and future.

[Hardrokn1]

Jesus also said in John 3:14-15 that He would be lifted up as Moses had lifted up the brazen serpent on the pole (Numbers 21:6-9) so that the people "snake-bitten" would be healed as long as they looked up. Jesus became our sins on that cross for all to see. Serpent -> staff/standard -> marred sticks -> sins... Hmmm... Pretty intereseting.

Yes Mark!
These types are all over the place!!!
Just yet another example of God's power,wisdom and direction over His creation.
:cool:

[Micter]

I believe Jacob more than likely did this unknowingly as he was moved by God; The same way all others in Scripture and our own life events are being led by the sovereign hand of God. This way (one of many) we would see the teachings and types of Christ demonstrated and confirmed through ours and others lives; past present and future.

I don't know.......I don't see myself doing something like that unless God revealed to me that I needed to for some reason. I would have to believe that God told him to do it. whether he knew what the outcome would be or not is another story.

[Hardrokn1]

I don't know.......I don't see myself doing something like that unless God revealed to me that I needed to for some reason. I would have to believe that God told him to do it. whether he knew what the outcome would be or not is another story.

Amen. :)
I believe he was definitely directed by God, but was it conscience or sub?

I can't help but think that in His sovereignty the Spirit purposely didn't tell us because I think that this was intended to be somewhat of a type of the mystery/enigma Christ and His ways would be to us all, believers and not.

Again, I speculate that this was meant to be enigmatic and open to misunderstanding just as the coming Branch would be.

Remember,men (believers and not) did and still do have trouble figuring Him and His ways out.

Consider this: The mud and spit procedure to heal the blind man; Did God tell Jesus what to do or did He just know as He operated in the various "gifts" of The Spirit (e.g. "gift of wisdom" and or the "gift of knowledge" "gifts of miracles" etc.) just as we would continue His ministry and works in the same Spirit/Power?

I just don't think this was meant to be the focus of inquiry.