Scripture
Genesis 30:37
Then Jacob took fresh sticks of poplar and almond and plane trees, and peeled white streaks in them, exposing the white of the sticks.
Observation
What an odd little side-story in scripture! Laban had taken advantage of Jacob, and now Jacob is trying to extricate himself from Laban’s control and manipulation. Jacob tries to manipulate Laban’s flocks to produce sheep whose color is advantageous to him…but he relies on superstitious beliefs which clearly have no basis in reality. Nevertheless God does bless him, and his herds rapidly multiply.
The end conclusion seems to be that God has blessed Jacob, but Jacob remains under the impression that his success is due to his own cleverness and trickery.
Application
Reading about Jacob’s futile attempts at genetic manipulation of the sheep, reminds me of the many times that I’ve strategized and planned for my own success, unaware of just how ignorant I actually was. I can think back on so many wrong assumptions that I’ve made, and so much bad data on which I based important decisions. Yet God has blessed me, despite my limited abilities! Occasionally I’ve made the mistake of thinking that the blessings I enjoy were a result of my own intellect or ability–and then God reminds me that everything I have is a result of His goodness, not my own greatness.
Today I choose to walk humbly before God. All that I have is from Him: my possessions, my abilities, and my blessings. I choose to give Him the credit, instead of believing that I am anything on my own.
Prayer
God, thank you for this reminder that all I have comes from you! Thank you for being patient with me, and show me when I am beginning to walk in the arrogance of self-sufficiency instead of truly relying on you.
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