Genesis 28-31

Jacob has received the ultimate blessing from his father Isaac.  However, this came at a great cost.  As a result of his deception, he was forced to leave his family and start a new life in a new land.  Jacob’s blessing promised him:

 

“May God give you of the dew of heaven

and of the fatness of the earth and plenty of grain and wine.

Let peoples serve you, and nations bow down to you.

Be lord over your brothers, and may your mother's sons bow down to you.

Cursed be everyone who curses you, and blessed be everyone who blesses you!" –Gen 27:28-29

 You would think that this blessing would guarantee a life of luxury and ease for Jacob, and he did enjoy much wealth and success in his life, but not without much struggle. 

When Jacob left his family, Isaac sent Jacob to find his kinsman Laban.  His first encounter with Laban’s flock made that fateful introduction to Laban’s daughter Rachel.  It should have been an easy marriage arrangement, but Laban had an older daughter Leah who needed a husband.  Laban tricked Jacob into marrying Leah after he had toiled 7 years for Rachel’s hand.  Jacob was a man of determination who would not be undone by Laban’s trickery.  He knew he was a blessed man, but was not afraid to work for what he wanted.  After working for another 7 years for Rachel, Jacob was rewarded with the love of his life.

This life was one of complication.  Two women, many children and a couple of handmaids add up to enough jealousy and problems for an entire tribe to manage.  Jacob was a master planner, and in the end, through much effort and suffering, he managed to create a family (although later we see the dysfunction,) from the lot. 

 We can attribute Jacob’s wealth and success to the blessing that Isaac bestowed upon him and that was confirmed by God in his dream.  We can also see that Jacob was a hard worker- a savvy herdsman, and excellent planner.  Even in the success that he gained, and provided for Laban’s daughters, he encountered a struggle with jealousy with Laban and Laban’s sons.   In the end they were able to settle the disagreement and depart peaceably. 

Prosperity does not come without true effort.  It is not always a life of ease and luxury.  Jacob accepted his blessing (although some may consider it ill-gotten gain) and used it as a compliment to his hard work and faithfulness.