Jacob, after years of working for Laban, finally asked for something concrete as payment: he wanted all the speckled and spotted goats, and the black sheep. Sounds fair, right? Laban, always the charmer, agreed, saying, "Behold, I would it might be according to thy word." (Genesis 30:34)
But here's where things get tricky. According to Legends of the Jews, Laban was a "arch-villain" – a master of empty promises, always suspecting others of the very deceit he himself was so fond of. He thought Jacob was trying to pull a fast one!
And guess what? Laban was the one who broke his word – not just once, but a hundred times! The agreement between them was constantly shifting. Can you imagine the frustration? Yet, as the text says, his unrighteousness was of no avail.
Despite Laban’s attempts to keep the best flocks away from Jacob, even separating them by a three-day journey, something incredible happened. The angels, according to the narrative, intervened, miraculously bringing Laban’s sheep to Jacob’s. We read in Ginzberg's retelling of this story that Jacob’s droves grew constantly larger and better.
Laban only gave Jacob the weak and sickly animals, but under Jacob's care, they produced offspring so outstanding that people paid top dollar for them! It wasn’t even about some elaborate scheme with peeled rods, as some might suggest. According to Legends of the Jews, Jacob simply spoke, and the flocks bore as he desired.
The narrative suggests that Laban deserved to be ruined for trying to exploit Jacob, especially after changing the terms of their agreement so many times. So, Legends of the Jews tells us, God intervened, rewarding Jacob for his faithfulness. It really brings to mind the idea that every faithful laborer receives their due, regardless of what awaits them in the world to come.
Jacob arrived at Laban's with nothing, but he left with herds numbering six hundred thousand! An almost unbelievable increase, and according to our text, an increase that will only be matched in the Messianic time. What a testament to faith, perseverance, and perhaps, a little divine intervention.
It makes you wonder, doesn’t it? Are we sometimes like Jacob, stuck in unfair situations, working hard and facing constant changes? Or perhaps, are we ever tempted to be like Laban, trying to gain an advantage through dishonesty? And can we trust that, ultimately, faithfulness and integrity will be rewarded, even if we don't see it immediately?