05.036. Chapter 31
After Jacob discovered that Laban and his sons were growing jealous and resentful, the Lord told him that the time had come to return to Canaan (Genesis 31:1-3). First he called Rachel and Leah and discussed the matter, rehearsing how Laban had cheated him and changed his wages 10 times, how God had overruled so that the flocks always bred in his favor, how God had reminded him of the vow he had made 20 years earlier (Genesis 28:20-22), and how the Lord had told him to return to Canaan, His wives agreed that their father had not dealt honestly and that they should leave (Genesis 31:4-16). Griffith Thomas points out several interesting principles for discerning God’s guidance here. First, Jacob had a desire (Genesis 30:25). Secondly, circumstances necessitated a change of some sort. Thirdly, God’s word came strongly to him. And finally, there was confirming support from his wives, despite their natural ties to Laban.19
Before the secret departure, Rachel stole her father’s household gods and hid them in her camel’s saddle (Genesis 31:18 b). According to Unger, new evidence shows that possession of these household gods implied leadership of the family, and, in the case of a married daughter, assured her husband the right of the father’s property.20 Since Laban had sons of his own when Jacob fled to Canaan, they alone had the right to their father’s teraphim. Rachel’s theft was therefore a serious matter, aimed at preserving for her husband the chief title to Laban’s estate. When Laban learned of their departure, he and his men pursued them for a week, but the Lord warned him in a dream not to trouble Jacob and his caravan (Genesis 31:22-24). When he finally overtook them, he only complained that he had been denied the privilege of giving them a royal send-off and that his idols had been stolen (Genesis 31:25-30). To the first complaint Jacob replied that he left secretly for fear that Laban wouldn’t let Rachel and Leah go. To the second complaint, he denied having stolen the gods and rashly decreed death for the culprit (Genesis 31:31-32). Laban made a thorough search of the caravan, but in vain; Rachel was sitting on them and excused herself for not getting off the camel’s saddle to honor her father because it was her menstrual period (Genesis 31:33-35).
Now it was Jacob’s turn to be angry. He denounced Laban for accusing him of theft and for treating him so unfairly for 20 years, in spite of Jacob’s faithful and generous service (Genesis 31:36-42). This passage reveals that Jacob was a hard worker and that the blessing of the Lord was upon him in ail that he did. Are we faithful to our employers? Does the blessing of God rest upon our work?
Laban avoided the issue by lamely protesting that he would not harm his own daughters, grandchildren, or cattle (Genesis 31:43), then suggested that they should make a pact. It was not a gra- cious, friendly covenant, asking the Lord to watch over them while they were separated. Rather, it was a compact between two cheats, asking the Lord to make sure that they did what was right when they were out of sight from one another. It was, in effect, a nonaggression treaty, but it also charged Jacob not to treat Laban’s daughters harshly nor to marry other wives (Genesis 31:44-50). Laban called the pillar of stone marking the pact jegar-sahadutha, an Aramaic word. Jacob called it Galeed, a Hebrew word. Both words mean “the heap of witness.” Neither man was to pass the stone-heap to attack the other (Genesis 31:51-52). La ban swore by the god of Abraham, the god of Nahor, and the god of their father, Terah (v. 53a). In other words, he swore by the pagan gods which these men had worshipped in Ur. Jacob swore by the fear of his father, Isaac (Genesis 31:53 b)—that is, the God whom Isaac feared. Isaac had never been an idolater.
Jacob first offered a sacrifice, then made a banquet for all those present and camped that night on the mountain (Genesis 31:54). In the morning, Laban said goodbye to his daughters and grandchildren and left for home (Genesis 31:55).