In the 21st century, many employers are adopting new techniques to attract and retain skilled workers. For some the answer is found in promoting a better work-life balance. Major companies provide a variety of programmes that promote a healthier equilibrium between the working part of the day and the remainder. Judging from Jacob's comments in Genesis 31.41 it would appear that Laban, who performed the dual role of father-in-law and employer, was no such promoter of work-life balance! The section between Genesis 29 and 31 probably embraces some of Jacob's darkest (and yet most instructive) moments, and as a brief overview we can locate him in the following positions.
In the world
It is clear that the movements of Jacob, as he progressed eastward (Gen 29.1), were under the providential hand of God. Moreover, as he was away from home and in conditions that often resembled a wilderness (Gen 31.40) he depicts the spiritual position of all believers today as they live in (but not of) the world (Jn 17.6,11). We are pilgrims in alien territory who are not here to stay but are travelling home (1 Pet 2.11).
Furthermore, the duration of Jacob's sojourn away from his family, over twenty years, represents a significant part of his life (Gen 31.41). Perhaps he learnt more in these years than in the previous years, above seventy spent in the homestead. His brief visit to Bethel taught the doctrinal truth that God would be near His own (Gen 28.15), but it was only under the harsh treatment of Laban that he proved the practical realities of the Lord's presence (Gen 31.42). Equally, it was true for Jacob that during his sojourn he learnt the sweetness of communion with heaven and how the pathway is often sprinkled with assurances that God remembers His people. For Jacob, this ranged from meeting his prospective wife almost immediately after his arrival in the east (Gen 29.5-6, 9-11) to divine protection from Laban (Gen 31.7). It is true that a good and often invaluable form of education is experience. Alternatively, as a brother in my own assembly says, practical ministry is good but practised ministry is best! However, as already mentioned, this phase of Jacob's life was by no means easy. He knew the tiredness of continual hard labour, the opposition from fellow workers (Gen 31.1-2), and the obvious tension that was emerging between his two wives, Leah and Rachel (Gen 30.1). No doubt this was part of God's curriculum to teach the need for dependence upon Himself. Perhaps our brows would become less furrowed if we were to learn that the difficult experiences of life are not only part of every day Christian living but are also inextricably linked to God's plan to develop our characters (2 Tim 3.12; 1 Pet 1.6-7).
In the workplace
Jacob's interaction with Laban provides plenty of down-to-earth lessons for those believers who endure difficulties in the working world of nine-to-five (and oftentimes longer!). First, let us consider Jacob's boss (Laban). Using the "law of first mention" we learn that Laban was a covetous man who cared more for the temporal than the eternal (Gen 24.29-31). He was also a schemer, one who happily toyed with the emotions of his own children (Gen 29.21-30) as well as those of Jacob (Gen 31.7). He was evidently a very superstitious man for he apparently learnt by experience ("divined"; Gen 30.27, RV) that Jehovah had blessed him because of Jacob. The later episode with the idols further illustrates this point (Gen 31.19,30). He was also frugal with his money for he made Jacob suffer the loss of animals that had been attacked (Gen 31.39) a cost that he should surely have borne. Finally, he was two-faced, for with his forked tongue he brazenly lied to Jacob (Gen 31.27). Clearly the believer's character, whether as an employer or otherwise, should be the very opposite to that of Laban (Eph 6.5-9).
Second, and in light of having an employer like Laban, consider Jacob's behaviour. He was in many regards the model employee who, like his son Joseph during his early years in Egypt (Gen 39.5), was instrumental in bringing prosperity to his employer (Gen 30.27).
There are also obvious lessons to learn from Jacob's preparedness to await God's timing irrespective of the harsh treatment he was enduring. Despite expressing a desire to leave, in Genesis 30.25, he remained for what seems a further six years until God gave the direction to go (Gen 31.3). How important it is for us to await God's timing when it comes to moving from job to job. Perhaps the divine promise that he would return to the land of his father was that which kept Jacob going through the dark days. Treasuring the Scriptures in our heart is not only the preservative from sin (Ps 119.11) but also from sorrow!
Third, and with particular reference to the passage in Genesis 30.31-43, we can consider Jacob's bargain. Though many believers interpret this section as further exposure of Jacob's scheming nature, there are those who think otherwise. For instance, the passage clearly teaches the reality of divine sovereignty, for although Jacob worked in Genesis 30.35-40, he also willingly acknowledged that it was ultimately God who gave him a better flock than that of his employer (Gen 30.42; 31.9). There is also the principle of responsibility, for Jacob, as an experienced shepherd, did what he could to enlarge the flock of Laban, from which he would later benefit as a result of the bargain mutually agreed by the two men (Gen 30.31-34). Henry Morris suggests that by placing bark in the feeding troughs at mating season (and during the time when stronger births were likely, Gen 30.41) this may have served as an aphrodisiac and Jacob was thereby able to increase the likelihood of conception and multiple births amongst Laban's flock. Jacob's original stock of animals had already been segregated some time before (Gen 30.35-36), and now his intention was clearly to ensure that Laban's flock grew as fast as possible and then, with selective breeding and other genetic factors (for the reproduction of marked animals), there would be mutual gain for both himself and his father-in-law. Thus the recipe for prosperity, and there is no doubt that Jacob experienced much during this phase (Gen 30.42-43), is the mixture of doing what we can and allowing God to overrule and do the seeming impossible.
Finally, in this section we learn something about Jacob's blessing from the spiritual standpoint. He testified to the providence of God calling him at the right time to move home; to the power of God as he received his flock from the hand of the Omnipotent (Gen 31.9); to the protection of God, for the enemy may have tried to harm Jacob on many occasions but was ultimately overruled (Gen 31.7,12); and finally, as we have already noted, to the presence of God as He abode with His own (Gen 31.3,42).
In wedlock
Aside from lessons about Jacob's working life, the section (Gen 29-31) is also rich in detail concerning his love life! It is interesting to note the extent to which Jacob represents the ideal husband. I tread carefully here for, at the time of writing, I have just past my tenth wedding anniversary and naturally my wife will expect me to be more like Jacob! For instance, the passage highlights Jacob's chivalry, one quick to intervene and work on behalf of Rachel (Gen 29.10). Also, apart from displaying an appetite for work he showed a tender touch (Gen 29.11), unafraid to display a loving heart. Though he rightly took the lead in the home he was happy initially to consult his wives prior to taking action (Gen 31.4-13).
Then, in terms of his wives (through the actions of Laban he sadly broke from the earlier Genesis mandate that marriage should be monogamous), there are important lessons to be gleaned. Rachel, from her actions and description in Genesis 29.9, was a true shepherdess and a suitable helpmeet for the shepherd Jacob. Christian couples should complement one another and provide the opportunity for a wider sphere of service. Leah was evidently a spiritual woman, as we observe from the names given to her children (for example, Judah means praise), and she became mother of the priestly and kingly tribes (Gen 29.34-35). Ultimately, however, the division in Jacob's earlier life is replicated in his own home, and sadly the friction between Leah and Rachel filters through to their respective children (Gen 37.2-4). We are, alas, often unable to learn from the mistakes of others (Rom 15.4).
In worship
Little is said of Jacob and how he engaged in spiritual activities during his sojourn with Laban. What can be noted is how he initially left Bethel with a certain spring in his step (Gen 29.1, AV margin): God's servants are encouraged in their pathway following times of devotion. Also, following his trying interview with Laban, Jacob is still able to offer sacrifices to the Lord (Gen 31.54).
To be continued.
