And it came to pass, that in the very heat of coition, the sheep beheld the rods, and brought forth spotted, and of divers colours, and speckled.
וַיֶּחֱמ֥וּ הַצֹּ֖אן אֶל־הַמַּקְל֑וֹת וַתֵּלַ֣דְןָ הַצֹּ֔אן עֲקֻדִּ֥ים נְקֻדִּ֖ים וּטְלֻאִֽים׃
4 Church Fathers comment on this verse
The just individual did not behave in this way out of his own volition; rather, divine grace influenced his thoughts. What transpired was not aligned with the usual course of nature, but consisted of extraordinary events that transcended the natural order.
It is interesting to observe in the practice of shepherding that both sheep and goats consistently reproduce according to what they observe, with their offspring mirroring the colors present at the moment of conception. This phenomenon appears to follow natural principles; however, it remains utterly beyond our comprehension. The divine James selected the ashy and speckled livestock through a heavenly vision. For instance, he recounts to Leah and Rachel, "Once at such a time as this, when the cattle conceive, I looked and saw in a dream, and behold the goats ... that went up to the cattle, mottled with specks and spots. The angel of God said unto me in a dream, Jacob! I said, 'Here I am.' He said, 'Lift up thine eyes, and see: all the goats that went up to the cattle...
are mottled, speckled, and spotted" (Gen. 31:10-12). This is what the Scriptures communicate. Yet, transcending the simplistic historical interpretation, we can elevate ourselves to a deeper spiritual understanding.
Jacob took rods and adorned them with white markings, causing the sheep to give birth to spotted offspring. Similarly, it signifies that Christ has refined the essence of the law and unveiled the deeper meanings within the prophetic texts. In this way, He clarifies the messages of the prophets, inviting us toward spiritual expression, almost encouraging us to develop a variety of virtues in both actions and speech. The divine prophets, representing those justified through faith, proclaimed clearly, "For Thy fear's sake, O Lord, in the womb we shall conceive, and be sick, and give birth to the spirit of Thy salvation" (Is. 26:18). Blessed Isaiah further emphasized this truth, saying, "Strengthen your weakened hands, and strengthen your trembling knees; say to the timid of heart, 'Be steadfast, do not be afraid; behold your God, vengeance is coming; the recompense of God is coming; He will come and save you'" (Isaiah 35:3-4). Additionally, "Behold, the Lord God is coming with power, and His muscle with might.... As a shepherd, He will feed His flock; He will take the lambs in His arms and carry them on His breast" (Is. 40:10-11). This prophecy assures spiritual comfort for those who are weary from divine teachings and are soon to manifest the glory of a life lived in accordance with the Gospel. Indeed, this is the fruit resulting from a holy and pure spirit.
However, God, knowing that Laban would take away his due, said to him, 'I will be with you and will bring you out from there' (Genesis 28:15), and blessed Jacob with Laban's livestock without any wrongdoing on Jacob's part. Laban, having observed the increase in his herds of spotted and speckled sheep, came to realize that the Lord was with Jacob, understanding that he should refrain from further wrongs against him.
Using multicolored rods, Jacob obtained a diverse hue from the white cattle. This process clearly illustrates Jacob's remarkable skill, but does it adhere to the principles of honesty and fidelity expected from a servant towards his master? Another pertinent question arises: Was Jacob's ability to transform white cattle into colored ones a product of his own ingenuity and a result of nature, or was it an act of divine inspiration? The Greek Church Fathers, including Chrysostom and Theodoret, view the regeneration of Laban's flocks as a miracle, whereas Western theologians like Augustine attempt to rationalize it through natural laws.
It is indeed observable that the coloration of animals can vary based on environmental factors such as climate and season. Creatures in less illuminated areas tend to exhibit duller hues, while those distanced from human presence often retain their innate color, adapting the appearance when in closer contact with people, who themselves influence their surroundings. This highlights that stimuli that impact animals most profoundly can alter their physical traits, particularly during reproduction. The ancients recognized this dynamic of nature and were adept at manipulating it.
Regarding Jacob, whether he acquired this knowledge innately remains uncertain; however, it is undeniable that he was prompted to apply this method through a vision, as recorded in Genesis 31:11-13. The Samaritan version of the Scriptures also relates this account just prior to the recounting of the herds' transformation. The notion that imagination significantly affects the diversity within the species is also expressed by Aristotle and Pliny, who note that humans exhibit greater variability than other animals due to the swiftness of thought, emotional liveliness, and intellectual diversity, while other creatures remain consistent and immobile in their expressions.
Concerning color, it appears that the irrational creatures are even more influenced by it than the rational ones. Oppianus, in his work on hunting, asserts that it is possible to create a horse of a specific color by using a horse with an appealing coat, a practice that has also been attempted with birds.
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS