God uses previous experiences to prepare us for new adventures - Genesis 28-31

There is a principle of Scripture that could be summarized as follows, "You Become what you Behold." The story of Jacob is a great example of this principle worked out in a life. Jacob was "not" a man of the field. In earlier chapters we read that Jacob was rather a "soft" man, living in tents and not of the field (Genesis 25). When Isaac, his father wanted to give the blessing to his brother Isaac told his brother to go out into the field to kill and animal. Rebekkah helped Jacob simply take a sheep from the flock. Jacob was not known for his "manly" prowess. So, when we read of his story at the well and his first encounter with is wife to be, Rachael, we understand the above prinicple. He notices all of the "flocks" coming to the well at the wrong time (being gathered together) and notes it is "note time" (29:7). Despite his being a man of tents, Jacob had observed much in his life about herdsmanship and it had produced in him the skills necessary to be a good shepheard. Hence the principle, "you become what you behold." In this case, God used the skills he beheld in his youth to later outfox his father-in-law, Laban. Moses was in the wilderness for 40 years prior to leading the nation, through the same wilderness, for 40 years. You become what you behold. David practiced daily the protecting of sheep with his sling. He later kills Goliath with it. You become what you behold. Jacob became a product of what he beholds in Laban ... Laban was a trickster and Jacob becomes one, as well. So, we should be careful what we behold.