Middle Eastern Business – VaYetse – Nov. 29

Jacob was a business man who became very rich. He knew how to close a deal. He knew how to play his cards right and, even in the midst of impossible situations, come out on top. Jacob was in the “Fortune 500” of his day, however, it was not without a price. God had some business principles to teach Jacob along the way and thankfully Jacob had ears to hear and faith to believe.

Jacob started out as an innocent or naive type of person. In fact, the Bible uses the word “tam” (תם) to describe his character (Gen. 25:27). The Hebrew word “tam” means complete, pure, perfect and often has the connotation of being an upright or innocent person. This same word is used to describe the characters of Noah (Gen. 6:9) and Job (Job 1:1). Jacob had a pure heart and wanted to do that which was right in the sight of God (Gen. 27:11-12) but as many of us know, business is often a deceitful world that likes to prey on the innocent and naive. Jacob would have to learn how to survive in this world and God sent him to business school, the “school of hard knocks” as it is commonly called.

God’s Business School

Jacob was the second born, a twin with his brother Esau. Esau had the fleshly right of the position and blessing of the firstborn, however, God had determined before their birth that the older would serve the younger. God had told this to Rebekah (Gen. 25:23) but Jacob had to flesh it out and make it happen. Jacob had a destiny and much of this destiny was fleshed out through several business deals that Jacob made during his life.

Jacob’s first business deal was when he bought his brother’s birthright for a bowl of lentils and some bread (Gen. 25:27-34). A great investment for Jacob. The birthright would entitle him to a huge share of his father’s wealth, more than likely a double portion (Deut. 21:17).

The second business deal was with his own father, Isaac. Rebekah instructed Jacob to dress up like Esau, serve his father Isaac some savoury food, and tell his father that he is Esau in order to obtain the blessing of the firstborn; a spiritual blessing that far out weighed any earthly possessions. Jacob was successful once again. Isaac enjoyed a good meal and then gave Jacob the blessing, however, Esau was devastated when he heard this and vowed to kill his twin brother for this trickery (Gen. 27). Isaac and Rebekah sent Jacob away to preserve his life.

Obedience to Parents

Jacob set out on the journey in obedience to his parents. They sent him to Rebekah’s relatives in order for him to escape his brother’s wrath but also to take a wife from among the relatives. This simple act of obedience to his parents was a significant act that showed Jacob’s character and allowed him to continue to walk in the blessing of God. It was after this simple act of faith that God would come and speak to Jacob.

Hearing and Obeying the Voice of God

Along the journey God spoke to Jacob, told him who He is (the God of Abraham and Isaac) and promised to give the land which he was laying on to him and to his descendants. God promised to increase his descendants like the dust of the earth and explained to him that all the families of the earth would be blessed through him (Gen. 28:10-17).

God promised to be with Jacob, to keep him wherever he went, and to bring him back to the land. God promised not to abandon Jacob until he had fulfilled what he had promised (Gen. 28:15).  Jacob made a vow, if God would fulfill all of his promises than Jacob would know that He is really God and promised to return to Him 10% of all that God would give to him (Gen. 28:20-22).

The third business deal that Jacob made was for his wife. Jacob offered to work seven years taking care of Laban’s flocks for Rachel. The name Rachel means “sheep” or “ewe lamb.” So Jacob worked with the sheep for seven years to obtain his one sheep, Rachel (Gen. 29:15-20). However, at the end of seven years when he was supposed to marry Rachel he ended up marrying her sister, Leah, instead. Laban deceived Jacob but told him that he could have Rachel as well but he needed to serve another seven years for Leah (Gen. 29:21-30).

Where was God? Why did God allow this to happen? Was God really with Jacob?

Jacob was finally on the other side of a business deal that didn’t turnout as he had planned and he didn’t enjoy being tricked as he had done twice before. As the younger of his twin brother he obtained the right of the firstborn twice through cunning ways. When Jacob confronted Laban with the switch up for his wife after the first seven years, Laban told him “It is not the practice in our place, to marry off the younger before the firstborn” (Gen. 29:26). It was almost as if Laban was reminding Jacob of the traditional way that things are done in that culture, which Jacob didn’t follow. It was a humbling situation which Jacob could literally do nothing about as he was like a foreigner in Laban’s realm. It seems that God was teaching Jacob a principle of humility; “The fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom, and before honour comes humility” (Prov. 15:33).

Jacob served the second set of seven years and when he finished his time he desired to leave Laban, take his family, and return to the land of his parents. Jacob asked Laban for permission to leave and asked him for his wives and his children (Gen. 30:25-26).

Why does Jacob ask for permission to leave?

In middle eastern culture it is proper to ask for permission to enter and leave a place. The freedom to come and go as one chooses is not usually an option. Everything is done under someone’s authority. For example, in the country of Turkey whenever one is invited to someone’s home for a meal and after the meal desires to leave, one would never say, “Well, thank you for the meal. I must go now. Bye!” This would come across as extremely rude and improper. The custom in Turkey, and much of the Middle East, is always to ask the host’s permission to leave. Without permission no one leaves. It is common for the host to deny permission to leave and insist that they have another cup of tea of coffee. It is understood as a blessing to receive a guest into one’s home and the longer they stay the greater the blessing. By staying and only leaving with permission a guest gives honour to the host. And so it was in the days of Jacob, he needed to ask permission to leave the authority of his father-in-law Laban with the wives and children whom he obtained.

Laban denied Jacob permission to leave and encouraged him to stay because he had discerned that God had blessed him on account of Jacob (Gen. 30:27). The scenario that follows is the height of Jacob’s business career. Jacob has finished paying off his 14-year debt to Laban and Laban had voiced that he knows that Jacob has prospered him. Jacob is in a position of strength and Jacob made the most of this opportunity.

Jacob made a business deal with Laban that was irresistible. Laban told Jacob to name his wages and after Jacob reminded Laban of how rich he has made him, Jacob told him that his wages will be nothing (Gen. 30:31)! Then Jacob set the new rules. Jacob offered to continue to shepherd Laban’s flocks and that his wages would be the various coloured sheep and goats and that only the white ones would belong to Laban. Laban agreed. Why would Laban agree to such a deal?

I believe that the only reason that Laban took Jacob’s offer was because Laban was proud and short-sighted. The name Laban (לבן), pronounced “lavan” in Hebrew, literally means “white.” So Jacob was saying to Laban, “The white of the flocks will be yours ”Whitey” and the coloured ones will be mine.” Jacob was playing on Laban’s pride and Laban took the bait.

Jacob the Good Shepherd

At the end of six years Jacob graduated from God’s business school and had become exceedingly prosperous, a very wealthy man with large flocks, camels, donkeys, and male and females servants (Gen. 30:43). We know that by the testimony of Jacob and God Himself (the angel of God) that Laban continually tricked Jacob but God watched out for him and blessed him (Gen. 31:7, 12). Jacob feared God, made the most of a horrible and difficult situation and God sent him away rich. Laban’s character showed itself to be greedy, selfish, and short-sighted as testified by his own daughters (Gen. 31:14-15).

Jacob knew that the value in the flock was its numbers and not its colour. Jacob was humble enough to shepherd well and focused on the strength of the flock instead of his status in the land. Jacob was a good shepherd who cared for both his flocks and his family. Laban was only concerned with using people and consuming the wealth for his own pleasure. He did not care for his flocks, his daughters, or anyone else (Gen. 31:11-16).

Jacob was wise and learned the principle of investing in the flock (Proverbs 27:23-27). Jacob knew well the condition of his flocks and left Haran with vast wealth.

We can learn much from the life of Jacob and God’s Business School. No matter what our situation is, we can be assured that God sees us and will give us an opportunity to succeed if we are obedient to authority, listen to His voice, and make the most of the business opportunities that come along our way.

Shabbat Shalom!

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Torah Portion: Gen. 28:10 – Gen. 32:2

Hafatara: Hosea 12:13- Hosea 14:10

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