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Hey besties, can you believe we’re at the end of week six already? I have to say, this was such a good chapter that I couldn’t decide what to write on until the very last minute.

And then I saw it… 

The middle of this chapter marks a pivotal point in the story of Jacob, rich with lessons and parallels to the life and mission of Christ. And so, I want to close off our week with a closer look at the second half of Genesis 30.

After Rachel gave birth to Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, “Send me on my way so I can go back to my own homeland. Give me my wives and children, for whom I have served you, and I will be on my way. You know how much work I’ve done for you.” (Genesis 30:25-26, NIV)

The emergence of Joseph in this verse points unmistakably to the Savior: a beloved son, betrayed by his own, a suffering servant, exalted to a position of power, and one who forgives. His birth comes at a crucial time, marking a significant transition in Jacob’s journey and reflecting God’s providence in fulfilling His promises.

While both Jacob and Joseph point us to Christ, they each foreshadow different aspects of His character and mission. Jacob’s life highlights Jesus’ role as a servant leader and mediator, showing how Christ serves and sacrifices for the sake of others. Joseph, on the other hand, emphasizes Jesus’ role as the beloved son and suffering servant, ultimately exalted to a position of power and offering forgiveness and reconciliation (his story is found further on in Genesis).

The timing of Joseph’s birth in this chapter is beautifully orchestrated by God, marking a pivotal moment in our story that points to God’s redemptive work. Jacob has fulfilled his obligation to Laban, working 14 years to pay the bride price for his wives. The debt was paid in full. This points us to Jesus who paid the price in full for our sins, securing our salvation. By the shedding of His blood, He opened the door for a new covenant between God and humanity. Notice the parallel here as Jacob and Laban enter into a new agreement once the debt was fulfilled.

Under the new agreement, Jacob proposes that his wages will be every speckled or spotted sheep, every dark-colored lamb, and every spotted or speckled goat. Laban agrees, but then deceptively removes those animals from the flock and entrusts them to his sons. This imagery parallels the marks of circumcision in the Old Testament, signifying a physical covenant with God. As we see, Jacob doesn’t keep the original speckled and spotted lambs; God allows them to be separated. He keeps only the ones born with speckles and spots. This represents a deeper spiritual truth: it is not physical circumcision that saves us, but the circumcision of the heart.

This reflects the New Testament teaching that those belonging to God are marked by an inner transformation brought about by the Holy Spirit, rather than mere external observance. As Paul writes in Romans 2:29, “No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code.”

Those born of the Spirit, marked by the Holy Spirit, are the true children of the new covenant. As Paul further explains in Ephesians 1:13-14, “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” This transformation reflects a change from an outward sign to an inward reality. The Holy Spirit marks believers, signifying their place in the new covenant established by Christ’s sacrifice.

In this way, Genesis 30 provides rich parallels to the gospel, illustrating the depth and transformative power of Christ’s work on our behalf. Just as Jacob’s new agreement with Laban and the subsequent birth of speckled and spotted animals marked a significant shift and blessing in his life, so too does the new covenant in Christ mark a profound transformation and blessing for those who believe. Through these stories, we see God’s sovereign hand at work, orchestrating events that point us to the ultimate redemption found in Jesus Christ.

This Week’s Printable

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