From: "J Burgeson" <hoss_radbourne@hotmail.com>
> 3. My last example is Genesis 30:37-39, in which it is reported that Jacob
> was successful in producing spotted lambs by having the sheep look at
peeled
> sticks during mating. Is there any rancher, regardless how pious, who
> follows this practice in raising his flock?
I have found that people who report that Jacob was successful because of the
peeled sticks and thus imply that the Bible promotes 'old wives tales,' have
failed to read just a few verses further on.
Gen 31:10-12 "In breeding season I once had a dream in which I looked up and
saw that the male goats mating with the flock were streaked, speckled or
spotted. The angel of God said to me in the dream, `Jacob.' I answered,
`Here I am.' And he said, `Look up and see that all the male goats mating
with the flock are streaked, speckled or spotted, for I have seen all that
Laban has been doing to you.'"
Jacob was told in dream that the reason he was successful, was not because
of the peeled sticks, but because of simple breeding techniques.
Apparently, Jacob tried an 'old wives tale,' but was then told the truth of
the matter by God.
I wonder how many centuries or millennia in advance this put Jacob and his
descendants over the rest of the world that was still trying to use peeled
sticks.
Allen
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