Do we use common sense..?

Question

Genesis 30:38-39..I found this scripture very interesting.
"And he set the rods which he had peeled before the flocks in the gutters in the watering troughs when the flocks came to drink, that they should concieve when they came to drink".."And the flocks concieved before the rods, and brought forth cattle ring streaked, speckled, and spotted".
Do we use common sense and come to the conclusion that Jacob tied a male Ram to the rod, so when the females came to drink, they concieved?..Your thoughts. Thank you

Answer 1

Personally never heard cattle referred to as a flock, but that what you said makes sense in an odd sort of way.

Answer 2

there's no indication that he did. There's also no biblical evidence to suggest that copying this procedure will result in streaked, speckled, and spotted animals for some random farmer. Jacob's father-in law, Laban, was taking advantage of him. We know from previous reading that God was with Jacob and favored him; so God helped Jacob establish his own flocks and herds since Laban kept cheating him.

The Bible does say that the rods were placed in the water troughs. Since we're talking about primarily a desert or dry country people, the males of the flocks would have learned that the females have to come to the trough to get a drink sometime.

You can never take an isolated verse from the Bible and try to make something of it. You have to take it in context, in relation to the whole message of the Bible.

Answer 3

One has nothing to do with the other. The sheep mated IN FRONT OF the branches (the branches had been peeled of their bark, so as to makes stripes on them).

The Bible doesn't usually beat around the bush (or branch) when it comes to talking about sex or animal husbandry. It generally just comes out & says "they laid with each other" or a woman "was given" to a man.

The natural brandings on the sheep were for Jacob's benefit, as Laban had promised him the speckled, striped, & spotted of the herd as payment for Jacob's shepherding all those years. Jacob continued the practice into subsequent generations, with the healthiest sheep, leaving the thinner & more sickly to stay with Laban's herd.

Answer 4

Common sense has very little to do with religion. Besides, this miracle wasn't just that they conceived, but that they conceived the kind of cattle that Jacob wanted--spotted, streaked and speckled--so that his uncle would have to give them to him. Guess god doesn't mind deceit if it's his idea....

Answer 5

Conceived in this term refers to a thought process. As in knowing where to go to drink.

Answer 6

Have to read up on that,I remember the story but I never seen it until you mention it.

Answer 7

religion and common sense are a contradiction in terms.

Answer 8

Yes, that actually works. Believe it or not.

Answer 9

Sometimes what we call common sense can be nonsense.