Divine Strategy: Seeing What Heaven Sees

 

Genesis 30:37–43 reveals Jacob’s use of three rods — poplar, almond, and chestnut — as a prophetic act rooted in divine revelation. This wasn’t agricultural luck; it was a strategy birthed from a dream (Genesis 31:10–12). Jacob aligned his actions with heaven’s blueprint.

Genesis 31:10-13

“And it happened, at the time when the flocks conceived, that I lifted my eyes and saw in a dream, and behold, the rams which leaped upon the flocks were streaked, speckled, and gray-spotted. ¹¹ Then the Angel of God spoke to me in a dream, saying, ‘Jacob.’ And I said, ‘Here I am.’ ¹² And He said, ‘Lift your eyes now and see, all the rams which leap on the flocks are streaked, speckled, and gray-spotted; for I have seen all that Laban is doing to you. ¹³ I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the pillar and where you made a vow to Me. Now arise, get out of this land, and return to the land of your family.’ ”

As I read and ponder this scripture, I notice that Jacob’s dream was given to him when he was awake. He was not at sleep when he received this divine input. So his relationship with God was such that he spoke to God, and God spoke to him.

I think the fact that he says it is a dream, is because it felt so unnatural maybe he thought he was dreaming it all up.

There are times that God speaks to us as a friend speaks to you, but we don’t recognize it for what it is or even doubt that God would speak to us at all. After all, Jacob was deceived a few times by Laban. He deceived his brother and father. His point of reference then was based on an assumption; that God would deceive him as well. He knew his own faults, but God knew his heart. 

This conversation felt like a dream; unreal, almost mystic. But God used this to His favour and Jacob's advancement. This means Jacob could not take the glory for himself. That God would receive all the glory in this. And the outcome of this conversation led to economical breakthrough in his life and the final breakthrough that Laban had over him and his wives.

I first want to draw our attention to this scripture:

“And it happened, when the flocks conceived, that I lifted my eyes and saw in a dream, and behold, the rams which leaped upon the flocks were streaked, speckled, and gray-spotted.

Again, we see the principle of three working here: streaked, speckled, and gray-spotted.

Jacob used an unusual method involving peeled tree branches to influence the breeding of Laban’s flocks. Laban tried to cheat Jacob by assigning him only the recessive-patterned animals—streaked, speckled, and spotted. Despite this, Jacob’s flocks flourished.

The Key points that we can take from this are:

• Jacob’s success is attributed to divine intervention, not science.
• The method of using rods with white strips lacks scientific basis and may have been a superstitious practice.
• Jacob practiced selective breeding, choosing stronger animals for himself.
• Ultimately, Jacob credits God for his prosperity, stating that God manipulated the genetics of the flocks to fulfil His promise.
• This event is seen as part of Jacob’s spiritual journey, leading to his transformation at Peniel.

This scripture emphasizes that God's involvement defied natural laws to bless Jacob, reinforcing divine faithfulness and providence.

Likewise, we have God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, that is one, working as one but each with their own unique characteristics. The Trinity is interwoven into every part of our lives. Separating the strong from the weak. Penetrating our hearts to align with the living word. God uses the unnatural to change the surrounding atmosphere. To bring us into the truth and lead us on a journey of steadfastness and breakthrough.

Without these three components in our lives, we cannot have the breakthrough we seek. Our relationship with the Trinity must be pure, Christ centred and holy.

But what does it mean for us in the marketplace?

Marketplace Application: Before launching a business, campaign, or partnership, seek God’s strategy. Don’t rely solely on trends or logic — lean into prophetic insight. Invite God into your planning, even for small decisions. Divine alignment brings multiplication.

Prophetic insight comes through the Word. The Rhema Word. The doctrine. If you don’t know the word, you will assume a lot of wrong things. Make sure that the scriptures speak directly within the situation. Jacob’s dream was specifically orchestrated to give him breakthrough through the livestock. The livestock became a vehicle of God’s power and sovereignty.

Don’t run to the nearest prophet or dial a prophet. Turn to God’s Word. God will speak to you directly. Invite God into your planning.

As I am writing this article, I am struggling with a property deal that keeps on running into another snag. Since my return to the property world, this would be my very first sale. Yet, something that should have been very straightforward and quick has become dragged out. This has caused me to look deeper into Jacob’s life, his actions, and reactions to his immediate environment. The three rods played a vital part in his breakthrough. As I digest and investigate this, I know with much faith and hope that it would also become my breakthrough.

As with me, Jacob struggled with a few things: His relationship with Laban was not good, and the herdsmen were fighting about the livestock.

His wives, Laban’s daughters, stayed mostly in the background, but here they came together and supported Jacob. They knew that their father had sold them and squandered their inheritance. They too, were deceived by their own father. They were ready to move.

Genesis 31:14-16

Then Rachel and Leah answered and said to him, “Is there still any portion or inheritance for us in our father’s house? ¹⁵ Are we not considered strangers by him? For he has sold us, and also completely consumed our money. ¹⁶ For all these riches which God has taken from our father are really ours and our children’s; now then, whatever God has said to you, do it.”

God was with this family every step of the way.

We must be sure that our motives stay true to the Word. That our plans align with God’s plans. Divine alignment brings breakthrough. And that there is unity within your team or household.

Take time to study the word in your situation. For me, I must understand and have clarity from these scriptures for my economical breakthrough. As I share this, more things are revealed, but I know that this deal, once the lid has been removed, would bring great victory. Victory into the Kingdom. This victory would be God’s.

As a vessel, I must remain pure, holy and totally Christ-focused.

That is my breakthrough. And that would be your breakthrough within your planning.  

Grace and peace to you.