THE CASE OF THE SPECKLED COWS

 

There is an interesting story in the Bible that has given me much reflection. It is the story of speckled cows. You will recall that upon arriving in Haran, Jacob committed himself to serve his uncle Laban for 14 years for his wives Leah and Rachael but after twenty long years of service the Lord instructed him to return to Canaan (31:13).

Laban was reluctant to let him go admitting that the Lord had prospered him because of Jacob, nevertheless, he asked him what wages he can give him for his service (Genesis 30:27). Anticipating this question, Jacob devised a marvellous plan, one that would recompense him for years of Laban's treachery (Genesis 31:6,7).

He told Laban that all he wanted were the speckled and spotted cows out of the flocks of cattle that he tended for Laban. And here unfolds Jacob's clever and miraculous plan. The plan was to make rods out of the green branches of hazel and chestnut trees and carve them randomly so that they appeared speckled. Jacob then placed the rods in the watering troughs so when the cows came to drink, the speckles would be constantly before their eyes (Genesis 30:37-42).

He did this especially with stronger cows. When the cows conceived, they conceived and delivered speckled calves. When Jacob's time came to leave, he was far richer than Laban had ever been. I don't know anyone who would think of such a clever plan or have the foresight and faith that this would work. Some have speculated that this was common superstition of the day and that there is no explanation of it by modern science. It is clear however, that divine intervention played the part since Jacob gave God the credit for this plan and since God instructed him to return to his ‘country’ and promised to ‘deal well with him’.(Genesis 31:7-9; 32:9; see Old Testament Student Manual Part 1 p 88)  

But yes, I do have an opinion on this….Jacob knew we become what we consistently focus on….

I am reminded here of the ‘speckled water’ we drink on regular basis. This water has a far greater image in it. Mirrored in the sacramental emblems is "the bread of life" (John 6:35) and "the fountain of living waters" (Isaiah 12:3; Jeremiah 2:13; John 4:6-15; John 7:37; 1 Nephi 11:25; D&C 10:66; 63:23).  Like the cows who came to drink of the "speckled" water, we drink the sacramental water in which is the image of Christ.

We come to the sacramental table to figuratively eat Christ's body and drink His blood. The Saviour confirmed this when He said: "He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me and I in him...he that eateth me, even he shall live by me...he that eateth of this bread shall live forever." (John 6:51-58).

Like the speckled calves that were products of speckled water, may we drink the living water that we may receive the image of Christ in our countenance.  

 

To my lips I take the cup

With bitter taste I drink it up;

In remembrance of blood spilt

My sins increase the bitter still.

 

The sorrow rends my weeping heart

The contrite spirit hope imparts.

You reach for me with tender touch;

“Weep not, I wept for you so much,

The price was paid, your soul was won

Our hearts now beat as we are one.

 

The price was paid, your soul is mine

Two hearts united in love divine.

 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN

(Art: Fill My Cup Lord by Danny Hahlbohm)

THE CASE OF THE SPECKLED COWS

There is an interesting story in the Bible that is never spoken of. It is the story of speckled cows. You will recall that patriarch Jacob, committed himself to serve his uncle Laban for 14 years for his wives Leah and Rachael. After twenty long years of service Jacob expressed to Laban his desire to return to his own country. Laban was reluctant to let him go admitting that the Lord had prospered him because of Jacob, nevertheless, he asked him what wages can he give him for his service (Genesis 30:27,28). Anticipating this question, Jacob devised a marvelous plan, one that would recompense him for years of Laban's treachery (Genesis 31:6,7). He told Laban that all he wanted were the speckled and spotted cows out of the flocks of cattle that he tended for Laban. And here unfolds Jacob's clever and miraculous plan. The plan was to make rods out of the green branches of hazel and chestnut trees and carve them randomly so that they appeared speckled. Jacob then placed the rods in the watering troughs so when the flocks come to drink, the speckles would be constantly before their eyes. He did this especially with stronger cows. When the cows conceived, they conceived and gave birth to speckled calves. When Jacob's time came to leave he was far richer than Laban had ever been. I don't know anyone who would think of such a clever plan or have the foresight and faith that this would work but this was Jacob, the believer. Obviously Jacob understood that what we consistently see and focus on, we become. There is a lesson in this story for us.

When the Saviour spoke of Himself, He referred to Himself, among other names, as "the bread of life (John 6:35), "the true vine" (John 15:1), "the light of the world" (John 8:12) and "the stone of Israel" (D&C 50:44).  Consider the fact that we eat bread on daily basis and disperse darkness in our homes with the flick of a light switch. How easily can that action remind us of  "the light which shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehendeth it not" (D&C 6:21)? These are very visually compelling  objects but none more so than the bread and water that is set before our eyes each Sunday. Mirrored in the sacramental emblems is "the bread of life" (John 6:35) and "the fountain of living waters" (Jeremiah 17:13), which is Christ.  I feel that these emblems are not only meant to represent the renewal of our baptismal covenants but have a higher purpose - to make us like Him. Like the cows who came to drink of the "speckled" water, we come to the sacramental table to figuratively eat Christ's body and drink his blood. In His own words, the Saviour confirmed this when He said: "I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world....verily, verily, I say unto you, except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whose eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." And then this promise: "He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me and I in him...he that eateth me, even he shall live by me...he that eateth of this bread shall live forever." (John 6:51-58). What an amazing promise.

Why would the Saviour want us to dwell in Him and He in us? Obviously, so we can become like Him. Like speckled calves that were the product of speckled water, we are products of the living water that we consistently partake as His disciples. But not only His disciples, but His spiritually begotten children. Unlike speckled cows, however, we are born blemish and spot free.