Date: 01-11-2021

Title: Jacob Sheep

(S) cripture:
    Genesis 30:37-43 (NLT2) Then Jacob took some fresh branches from poplar, almond, and plane trees and peeled off strips of bark, making white streaks on them. 38 Then he placed these peeled branches in the watering troughs where the flocks came to drink, for that was where they mated. 39 And when they mated in front of the white-streaked branches, they gave birth to young that were streaked, speckled, and spotted. 40 Jacob separated those lambs from Laban’s flock. And at mating time he turned the flock to face Laban’s animals that were streaked or black. This is how he built his own flock instead of increasing Laban’s. 41 Whenever the stronger females were ready to mate, Jacob would place the peeled branches in the watering troughs in front of them. Then they would mate in front of the branches. 42 But he didn’t do this with the weaker ones, so the weaker lambs belonged to Laban, and the stronger ones were Jacob’s. 43 As a result, Jacob became very wealthy, with large flocks of sheep and goats, male and female servants, and many camels and donkeys.

(O) bservation:
    God blessed Jacob in spite of Laban’s attempts to deceive him. Laban’s deception comes back on him as Jacob manipulates the mating habits of the flock. Jacob keeps the strongest and Laban gets the weakest animals. God made a way for Jacob to flourish.

(A) pplication:
    The Jacob sheep (speckled or spotted) are some of my favorite animals at Heritage Farm Museum and Village. I point them out on each wagon ride I give the visitors. Our weaver at the farm made me a toboggan with some of the wool that was sheared from the Jacob sheep this past spring. I am reminded of this story each time I pass their pen. I am reminded that God makes a way to keep his promises and bless those who follow him.

(P) rayer:
    Lord, thank you for the reminder you have given me in the Jacob sheep. Give me strength and courage to always follow you. Amen