NOTICE GIVEN, NOTICE TAKEN

“Lavan answered [Ya’akov], ‘If you regard me favorably, then please listen: I have observed the signs that Adonai has blessed me on account of you.’”
Genesis 30:27

Following the birth of Ya’akov’s first eight sons, and Rachel’s barrenness, Re’uven brought mandrakes to his mother, Le’ah. It was said that mandrakes would assist with fertility. Rachel exchanged her night of intimacy with Ya’akov for the mandrakes, but they did not seem to help. Instead, Le’ah found herself giving birth again. With the addition of Yissakhar, Z’vulun, and a daughter named Dinah, Le’ah believed that Ya’akov would finally love her and look on her the way he still looked at Rachel. But in hearing Rachel’s prayer for a son, He opened her womb and allowed Rachel to birth Yosef.
It was following Yosef’s birth that Ya’akov desired to return to his homeland. He approached Lavan and asked to be sent on his way, with his wives and children. He had served his agreed time of seven years for Le’ah, and an additional seven years for Rachel. But still he had stayed beyond that. He gave Lavan his notice in requesting the ability to leave. Over the years, however, Lavan had taken notice of the blessing that followed Ya’akov, much like the notice taken concerning his father Yitz’chak by Avimelekh. Because of this, Lavan worked to make a deal with Ya’akov that would allow him to remain in the blessing of Adonai as well.
I have mentioned this before, and question it again. When I am in the company of others, do they see and feel the blessing of Adonai on me? I wonder if the markings that followed Ya’akov are the same markings that define me, and therefore bring a begging by others that I remain their friend or in their company. It may be an odd thing to question, but I would like to know that my walk with Adonai is blessing my friends, blessing the company I work for, and blessing my enemies. This is what I strive for. Just like the tale of the king who had the golden touch, I would like to have the ‘blessing touch’. Adonai I pray that others would notice You in me to this same degree as was seen in Ya’akov.

Genesis 30:14-27