Free Bible Commentary
“Genesis 31:1-9”
Categories: Genesis“Now Jacob heard the words of Laban’s sons, saying, 'Jacob has taken away all that was our father’s, and from what belonged to our father he has made all this wealth.' Jacob saw the attitude of Laban, and behold, it was not friendly toward him as formerly. Then the Lord said to Jacob, 'Return to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you.' So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to his flock in the field, and said to them, 'I see your father’s attitude, that it is not friendly toward me as formerly, but the God of my father has been with me. You know that I have served your father with all my strength. Yet your father has cheated me and changed my wages ten times; however, God did not allow him to hurt me. If he spoke thus, “The speckled shall be your wages,” then all the flock brought forth speckled; and if he spoke thus, “The striped shall be your wages,” then all the flock brought forth striped. Thus God has taken away your father’s livestock and given them to me.'”
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“Jacob has taken away all that was our father’s, and from what belonged to our father he has made all this wealth.” (verse 1) Jacob could hear Laban's sons talking about him, and he didn't like what he heard one little bit. They could see that, no matter how their father tried to manipulate this intruding shepherd, Jacob always came out on top. They looked on helplessly as their future inheritance steadily dwindled and the possessions of their cousin/brother-in-law continued to multiply. The previously tolerable relationships were straining beyond the point or restoration.
“Jacob saw the attitude of Laban, and behold, it was not friendly toward him as formerly.” (verse 2) Not only were his cousins talking about him, their father was beginning to treat him differently. Once Laban realized that he was not going to be able to swindle his way out of his dilemma, his demeanor toward his son-in-law turned from cordiality to hostility. Based on what Jacob was hearing and seeing, all the signs indicated that it might be time to go. Jacob had worn out his welcome for sure. For twenty he couldn't leave if he wanted to, but now it was time to get out of Dodge (or Haran).
“The Lord said to Jacob, 'Return to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you.” (verse 3) All the mystery and uncertainty was removed when God told Jacob point blank to pack up his things and go. It was time to go back to the land of Promise, the land that was promised to Abraham and Isaac and their posterity, and this time it was in harmony with God's will and according to His perfect timing. He would not be leaving on good terms, but truth be known, that was never going to happen in a situation where Laban was involved anyway. But, Jacob had the assurance that the Lord would be with him to protect and care for him. God had given him this same assurance twenty years earlier at Bethel when he had set out for Haran with only his staff in his hand (Genesis 28:15).
“So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to his flock in the field.” (verse 4) “Rachel is placed first, as the chief wife. The field was probably the pasture where Laban’s flocks fed, as they were specially under Jacob’s charge; and there, in the open ground, the three would run no risk of having their conversation overheard. Jacob’s speech to his wives consists of three parts: first, he tells them of the change in Laban’s manner towards him, and his consequent fear of violence; he next justifies his own conduct towards their father, and accuses him of repeated injustice; finally, he announces to them that he had received the Divine command to return to Canaan.” (Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers)
“'I see your father’s attitude, that it is not friendly toward me as formerly, but the God of my father has been with me.” (verse 5) Jacob told his wives that their father really had it in for him, but the God of HIS father had been with him and shielded him the whole time, and now it was time to depart. “You know that I have served your father with all my strength.” (verse 6) Jacob had worked diligently and vigorously for Laban as he served him in all faithfulness and integrity. Both Rachel and Leah had witnessed over the past two decades that he had exercised great patience, wisdom and loyalty in dispatching his duties and that Laban's mistreatment was absolutely unwarranted and completely inexcusable.
“Yet your father has cheated me and changed my wages ten times...” (verse 7) “It appears that Laban, through envy and covetousness, often broke his agreement made with Jacob, and altered it as he thought fit, and that Jacob patiently yielded to all such changes.” (Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers) “However, God did not allow him to hurt me.” Every time that Laban changed the terms and conditions of their agreement, the Lord intervened and protected and prospered Jacob by divine providence. In fact, “God has taken away your father’s livestock and given them to me” (verse 9). It was not Jacob that had taken away all of Laban's possessions as his sons had lamented (verse 1), but the Lord Himself had interposed His will. They were not contending with a lowly shepherd from the land of Canaan, but fighting against the God of heaven and earth and all creation. Friends, we can never prevail against the perfect will and power of the Lord God Almighty. If we stand with him, no one can prevail against us. If we go against His will for our lives we will always incur disappointment and frustration and ultimately miserable and utter defeat.
Please read Genesis 31:10-16 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
