Genesis 30:43
Thus the man became exceedingly prosperous, and had large flocks, female and male servants, and camels and donkeys.
How Jacob’s life has turned around. He was sent off from home with nothing. He encountered God and trusted God. He has worked hard even after being deceived by his boss and uncle, but he has worked on and God has blessed him and increased him. Even though his wages were at a disadvantage re gaining speckled sheep from solid coloured sheep, God blessed him and the flocks brought forth spotted and speckled – his wages.
John Gill writes: Jacob grew very rich: and had much cattle; the greater part of Laban’s flocks brought forth speckled, spotted, and brown cattle, which, according to agreement, were Jacob’s: and maidservants, and menservants; which he got to take care of his household affairs, and to assist him in keeping his flocks: and camels, and asses; for his flocks increasing so very much, he sold many of his sheep at a good price, as Jarchi observes, and with it bought camels and asses; and these were very fit for his use, when he should be obliged or think fit to remove into his own country, and which he was meditating, and had a direction from the Lord for, as in the following chapter.
David Guzik writes: The Hebrew of verse 43 says, “the man burst out exceedingly exceedingly.” God was really blessing Jacob, but why? Because of how great or good Jacob was? No. It was because of the promises God made to Jacob (Genesis 28:13-15) and the covenant made to Abraham. In the same way, blessing comes from the Lord to us, not because we are great or good, but because of the covenant God has made with us through Jesus, and promises He has given us in His word.
I must add to what David Guzik has written though, yes I agree, but also Jacob has positioned himself to receive the blessing by walking in the Lord, not operating out of his own old devices of deceit etc. We may have the promises, but it is conditional to our walking in obedience.
As we close up this chapter I really like what Adam Clarke has written: We have already seen many difficulties in this chapter, and strange incidents, for which we are not able to account. 1. The vicarious bearing of children; 2. The nature and properties of the mandrakes; 3. The bargain of Jacob and Laban; and 4. The business of the party-coloured flocks produced by means of the females looking at the variegated rods. These, especially the three last, may be ranked among the most difficult things in this book. Without encumbering the page with quotations and opinions, I have given the best sense I could; and think it much better and safer to confess ignorance, than, under the semblance of wisdom and learning, to multiply conjectures.
