Genesis 31
BBCGenesis 31:1
- Jacob’s Return to Canaan (Chap. 31) 31:1-18 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. First he called Rachel and Leah and discussed the matter, rehearsing how Laban had cheated him and changed his wages ten 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 twenty years earlier (Gen_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. Griffith Thomas points out several interesting principles for discerning God’s guidance here. First, Jacob had a desire (Gen_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. . . . Note that the Angel of God (v. 11) is the God of Bethel (v. 13). 31:19-21 Before the secret departure, Rachel stole her father’s household idols and hid them in her camel’s saddle. 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. 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. 31:22-30 When Laban learned of their departure, he and his men pursued them for seven days’ journey, but the Lord warned him in a dream not to trouble Jacob and his caravan. 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. 31:31-35 To the first complaint Jacob answered that he left secretly for fear that Laban take his daughters (Rachel and Leah) from him by force. To the second complaint, he denied having stolen the gods and rashly decreed death for the culprit. 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 periodor so she said. 31:36-42 Now it was Jacob’s turn to be angry. He denounced Laban for accusing him of theft and for treating him so unfairly for twenty years, in spite of Jacob’s faithful and generous service. This passage reveals that Jacob was a hard worker and that the blessing of the Lord was upon him in all that he did. Are we faithful to our employers? Does the blessing of God rest upon our work? 31:43-50 Laban avoided the issue by lamely protesting that he would not harm his own daughters, grandchildren, or cattle, then suggested that they should make a pact. It was not a gracious, 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. Laban called the pillar of stones marking the pact Jegar Sahadutha, an Aramaic expression. 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. 31:51-55 Laban swore by the God of Abraham, the God of Nahor, and the God of their father, Terah. The capitalization of God in the NKJV (also Moffatt, NIV, etc.) indicates that the translators felt Laban was referring to the one true God that Abraham came to know. However, since the Hebrew does not have upper and lower case letters, we can’t tell if Laban might have been referring to the pagan gods which these men had worshiped in Ur. Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaacthat 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 all that night on the mountain. Early in the morning, Laban kissed his grandchildren and daughters goodbye and left for home.