Genesis 31

Genesis 31:1-16

‘Jacob had left his father’s house in a fright, came to his uncle in distress, very hard since he had met with them, and now is going back surrounded with fears. Here is, 1. His revelation is return, ver. 1—16. 2. His clandestine departure, ver. 17—21. 3. Laban’s pursuit of him in distress, ver. 22—25. 4. The hat words that passed between them, ver. 26—42. 5. Their amicable agreement at left, ver. 43, all fmem.

1. AND he heard the words of Laban’s sons, saying, Jacob hath taken away all that was our father’s; and of that which was our father’s hath he gotten all this glory. 2. And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and behold it was not toward him; as before. 3. And the LORD said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred, and I will be with thee. 4. And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field unto his flock. 5. And said unto them, I see your father’s countenance, that it is not toward me as before: but the God of my father hath been with me. 6. And ye know that with all my power I have served your father. 7. And your father hath deceived me, and ‘changed my wages’ ten times: but God suffered him not to hurt me. 8. If he said thus, The speckled shall be thy wages; then all the cattle bare speckled: and if he said thus, The ring-braked shall be thy hire, then bare all the cattle ring-braked. 9. Thus God hath taken away the cattle of your father, and given them to me. 10. And it came to pass at the time that the cattle conceived, that I lifted up mine eyes, and saw in a dream, and behold, the 4 rams which leaped upon the cattle were ring-braked, speckled, and grilled. 11. And the angel of God take unto me in a dream, saying, Jacob: And I said, Here am I. 12. And he said, Lift up now thine eyes and see, all the rams which leap upon the cattle are ring-braked, speckled, and grilled: for I have seen all that Laban doth unto thee. 13. I am the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst you, you unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred. 14. And Rachel and Leah answered, and said unto him, is there yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father’s house? 15. Are we not counted of him strangers? for he hath sold us, and hath quite devoured also our money. 16. For all the riches which God hath taken from our father, that is ours, and our children: now then whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do.

2. 1—16. Jacob’s great increase becomes now a dangerous share; but God makes it the means of harkening him home the sooner. So testify can his pervidence change our dangers into sources.

3. Laban’s sons beheld with indignation the flocks of Jacob, and talked as if they only wanted occasion to take back the fruit of his bargain. They counted his share all, and saw his sheep magnified with the eyes of covetousness; while Laban himself, though he said nothing, betrayed in his countenance the same sentiments. Note, (1.) An envious mind cannot bear another should prosper more than themselves, especially in their own protection. (2.) The things of this world appear glorious to those who place their happiness in them; but they are little in his eyes, who hath seen, by faith, the glories of a better.

4. Jacob hereupon resolves to decamp, under the divine guidance and direction. The God of Bethel, to whom he owed all his success, who directed him how to all by a vision, now bids him be gone, and will protect him in his return. Note, (1.) When worldly prosperity increases, we are most tempted to take up our rest here: it is well then to think of our home in heaven. (2.) Whilst our worldly blessings come as common blessings, they are doubly sweet. (3.) When we have gone out under God’s guidance, we need not fear returning him.

5. He acquaints his wives with his resolution, but privately, for fear of Laban, and gives them his reasons. Note, The husband, in matters of importance to his family, should consult his wife, who, as the partner of his fortune, should be the partner of his heart. They readily consent, conscious of the truth of his complaints, and the justice of his arguments. What Jacob had got, was not only his wages, but their just portion; they prefer therefore their husband, as hounders, to their father’s house, and are ready to go wherever he pleases. Note, A good wife will delight to share her husband’s lot, wherever, or to whatever God is pleased to call him.

6. ¶ Then Jacob rose up, and set his sons and his wives upon canish. 18. And he carried away all his cattle, and all his goods which he had gotten, the cattle of his getting, which he had gotten in Palan-aram for to go to Ilaac his father in the land of Canaan. 19. And Laban went to steer his sheep: and Rachel had stolen the images that were her father’s. 20. And Jacob stole away unawares to Laban the Syrian, in that he told him not that he fled. 21. So he fled with all that he had, and he rose up, and passed over the river, and set his face toward the mount Gilead.

Genesis 31:17-21

The resolution thus agreed on and fixed, Jacob leaves the first favourable opportunity of Laban’s absence; and as he had reason to fear restraint, if his purpose had been known, he goes off secretly. He took with him only his own, so that Laban might have no reason to complain; though Rachel thus has been a few years ago, he was a few years ago, and had been a few years ago, and had been a few years ago, and had been a few years ago, and had been a few years ago, and had been a few years ago, and had been a few years ago, and had been a few years ago, and had been a few years ago, and had been a few years ago, and had been a few years ago, and had been a few years ago, and had been a few years ago, and had been a few years ago.

22. And it was told Laban on the third day, that Jacob was fled. 23. And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven days journey; and they overtook him in the mount Gilead. 24. And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob’s either good or bad. 25. ¶ Then Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mount: and Laban with his brethren pitched in the mount of Gilead.

Genesis 31:22-25

We have here,

1. Laban’s pursuit. He raises all his family, and pursues the fugitive seven days, and overtakes him at Mount Gilead. Note, When anger and covetousness are routed, what will not men do to gratify them? Even his own flesh and blood are now likely to rise his vengeance.

2. That night God stops his career, forbids him to interpose, and restrains him from offering Jacob the least injury. Note, (1.) God hath in his hand the hearts of all men. He saith to the furiousness of man, as to the raging sea, Hitherto shall thou come, and no further. (2.) He hath and will continue to rescue his people, when they seem upon the brink of ruin. Let us in every circumstance trust, and not be afraid.

3. And Laban said to Jacob, What hath thou done, that thou hast stolen away unawares to me, and carried

away my daughters, as captives taken with the sword? 27. Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me? and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp? 28. And hath not suffered me to kiss my sons and my daughters? thou hast now done foolishly in so doing. 29. It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt: but the God of your faith is speak unto me yeffernight, saying, Take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad. 30. And now though thou wouldst needs be gone, because thou sore longest after thy father’s house; yet wherefore hath thou stolen my gods? 31. And Jacob answered and said to Laban, Because I was afraid: for I said, Perseverance thou wouldst take by force thy daughters from me. 32. With whomsoever thou findest thy gods, let him not live: before our brethren discern thou what is thine with me, and take it to thee: for Jacob know not that Rachel had stolen them. 33. And Laban went into Jacob’s tent, and into Leah’s tent, and into the two maid-servants trents; but he found them not. Then went he out of Leah’s tent, and entered into Rachel’s tent. 34. Now Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the camels furniture, and far upon them: and Laban searched all the tent, but found them not. 35. ¶ Heb. Febr. And she said to her father, Let it not displease my lord, that I cannot rise up before thee; for the custom of women is upon me: and he searched, but found not the images.

Genesis 31:26-35

Though Laban is restrained from hurting Jacob, he is not from upbringing him. Here is,

1. His charge against him, of great unkindness. He pretends wondrous affection to his children, nothing of which he had ever thrown. Note, When a man is disappointed of a mischievous design, he would lain have it thought he never intended it. He tugeth also, as though it were a force upon his daughters, though they were first consulted. Note, A had heart is pregnant in inventing evil families. He wants his power to hurt him, but owns himself under a divine restraint, from God’s appearing to him the night past. Note, It were well, if men attended more to the secret notices, sleeping or waking, given their consciences from God. However, one charge at least with some colour he can maintain: his gods are stolen, and Jacob the thief. Sad gods indeed, that cannot preserve themselves.

2. Jacob maintains his innocence. If he went off suddenly, he had reason, from Laban’s past conduct, to suspect injustice. As to his gods, he denies the charge, and imprecates vengeance on the thief. Had he known her, he had spoken more easily. Note, Evil wishes cannot be too sparingly dispoised: they may light on those we loath subject.

3. Laban’s search for his gods in vain. Rachel by an artifice conceals them. It was probably an untruth, at best an excuse. Note, They who steal, will never want a lie or excuse to conceal it.

4. ¶ And Jacob was wroth, and chode with Laban: and Jacob answered, and said to Laban, What is my trespass? what is my sin, that thou hast so hotly pursued after me? 37. Whereas thou hast searched all my stuff, what hath thou found of all thy household stuff? let it here before my brethren, and thy brethren, that they may judge betwixt us both. 38. This twenty years have I been with thee; thy own and thy the goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten. 39. That which was torn of knots, I brought not unto thee, I bare the loss of it; of my hand didst thou require it, whether stolen by day, or stolen by night. 40. Thus I was, in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes. 41. Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times. 42. Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty: God hath seen mine afflictions, and the labour of thy hands, and rebuked thee yefternight.

Genesis 31:36-42

It is now Jacob’s turn to abide, when Laban can make good not the least of his accusations, nor find a thread he can justly claim. Note, Though he had reason to expeafulate, he did wrong to be angry: no provocation can excuse that. He could appeal to Laban for his homely, carefulness, and fidelity; and

¶ Heb. The custom. Judg. 1:10. 5. 1 Sim. 6. 1:5. 7. Heb. The heart of his son. ¶ Heb. From good to bad. Before Chill 1897.

and every influence he produces of the uprightness of his service, reflects upon Laban as an unjust and unreasonable muller. Note, Though it be our unhappy case to have such a muller as Laban, a good servant, like Jacob, will not be the less faithful and industrious. We must leave the matter with God, and then we shall have Jacob’s blessing.

m Jedwani. 1. 4 Chap. xxxiii. 18. 4 i. e. The heep of witnels. 2 i. e. A beacon, or watchtower. 4 Judges ii. 29. 5 Or, killed beasts.

43. ¶ And Laban answered, and said unto Jacob, Thefe daughters are my daughters, and thefe children are my children, and thefe cattle are my cattle, and all that thou seeft is mine: and what can I do this day unto thefe my daughters, or unto their children which they have born? 44. Now therefore come thou, let us make a covenant, I and thou; and ’let it be for a witness between me and thee. 45. And Jacob’ took a stone, and set it up for a pillar. 46. And Jacob said unto his brethren, Gather stones; and they took stones, and made an heap: and they did eat there upon the heap. 47. And Laban called it Jege-Abrahintha; but Jacob called it Galeed. 48. And Laban said, This heap is a witness between me and thee this day. Therefore was the name of it called Galeed: 49. And ‘Mif-pah; for he said, The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another. 50. If thou shalt afflict my daughters, or if thou shalt take other wives besides my daughters, no man is with us; See, God is witness betwixt me and thee. 51. And Laban said to Jacob, Behold this heap, and behold this pillar which I have cast betwixt me and thee; 52. This heap be witness, and this pillar be witness, that I will not pass over this heap to thee, and that thou shalt not pass over this heap and this pillar unto me, for harm. 53. The God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge betwixt us. And Jacob hears by the fear of his father Isaac. 54. Then Jacob’s offered sacrifice upon the mount, and called his brethren to eat bread: and they did eat bread, and tarried all night in the mount. 55. And early in the morning Laban rose up, and kissed his sons and his daughters, and blessed them: and Laban departed, and returned unto his place.

Genesis 31:43-55

Laban could not gain? Jacob’s expostulation; truth and conscience confirmed it. But when he dares not do evil, he pretends kindness, and would fain make a merit of that affection which he had never shown, and bestow as a gift what was Jacob’s by hand service, v. 53. Hereupon,

1. He proposes a covenant of friendship, and Jacob readily confents. Note. We must follow peace with all men, especially with those of our own house and family. The terms are, That Jacob shall take no other wise, and that no injuries should be offered on either side. Jacob never designed the one, nor intended the other. Note, They who behave ill, are most apt to subject others to be like themselves. Hereupon, a pillar is erected of stones, a sacrifice is offered, the oath is taken, they eat and drink before the Lord, and, according to their different languages, called the place the Heap of Wrench, and the War-browers. Learn, (1.) To forgive and forget all injuries is Christian-like. (2.) When friends are parted, it is their comfort, that God does and watches between them. (3.) Those who take the seals of the covenant, should look well that they be faithful to the engagements that are upon them; for God is not mocked.

2. Their parting in peace. The storm is blown over; anger subsides into paternal benediction, and threatening into kisses of love. Note, (1.) Strange alterations are brought about by God’s providence. (2.) Near relations are doubly bound mutually to forgive, and live in peace.