Genesis 30:27-36
30:27 a I have become wealthy: God had prospered Laban through Jacob’s presence (see 22:18 b). Laban may have looked for omens, or simply have perceived what was happening. Since dark-colored sheep (30:32 c) were rare, a large number of them was considered an omen of God’s blessing.Summary for Gen 30:30-33: 30:30-33 d Jacob agreed that God had blessed Laban through him, so he made a plan to gain something for himself. He proposed for his wages the rare black and multicolored goats and the speckled and spotted sheep that were born.
30:32 e As Abraham had done with Lot (13:9 f), Jacob gave Laban what he valued most. White sheep were more common and more valuable than dark or multicolored sheep; as a man of faith, Jacob was willing to take the rejects (cp. 1 Cor 1:26 g).
Summary for Gen 30:34-36: 30:34-36 h Laban verbally agreed with Jacob’s plan, but he tried to prevent Jacob from accruing wealth by removing animals from the flock that would fulfill the agreement.
• Laban’s deception with his goats reminds us of Jacob’s deception of Esau (cp. 27:9 i; see study note on 29:14-30).
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