Change Is A Process

Then Laban replied to Jacob, “These women are my daughters, these children are my grandchildren, and these flocks are my flocks—in fact, everything you see is mine. But what can I do now about my daughters and their children? [Genesis 31.43]

Was Laban right? No, absolutely not. At least not from the perspective of Jacob! But from Laban's perspective, he was justified in his accusations.

In light of these opening thoughts, I wonder, if at any time, Jacob ever felt a twinge of guilt for the way he manipulated the flocks to produce only streaked, spotted, speckled, or black offspring?

I furthermore wonder, based on the account of all Jacob did to manipulate the flocks, how he felt when he told his wives how it happened?

“One time during the mating season, I had a dream and saw that the male goats mating with the females were streaked, speckled, and spotted. Then in my dream, the angel of God said to me, ‘Jacob!’ And I replied, ‘Yes, here I am.’ “The angel said, ‘Look up, and you will see that only the streaked, speckled, and spotted males are mating with the females of your flock. For I have seen how Laban has treated you. [Genesis 31.10-12]

There seems to be 'just a bit' of a disconnect between what Jacob did and what he told Rachel and Leah happened. It is interesting that what Jacob told his wives happened included God but what Genesis 30-37-43 says (that describes what Jacob did) does not mention God at all in the process.

Regardless, Jacob found himself in a less-than-ideal situation, and, that often seems to be the common outcome when questionable practices are utilized.

Based on my posts from the last two days (Ready For A Change? and God Changes Us - It's What He Does), Jacob's growth process had some messy areas.

"Change" is a process. Sometimes, change is not seen in its entirety (changed), but in its process (changing). It is important that we see this in Jacob as well as in ourselves and the lives of others. our process of change is just sometimes messy...

Father, help us as we change to keep it as neat as possible, but to understand that the messes, more often than not, provide critical learning opportunities, and, ultimately, growth.