(Genesis) Genesis 31:26-31
Jacob's departure from Laban's household is motivated by his fear of being forced to stay and his desire to return to his father's house.
J. Vernon McGee discusses the confrontation between Jacob and Laban, highlighting Laban's diplomatic approach and emotional manipulation as he questions Jacob about his secret departure. Laban feigns hurt over not being able to bid farewell to his daughters and grandchildren, while Jacob explains his fear of Laban's potential refusal to let them go. The sermon emphasizes the tension between Laban's words and intentions, revealing the underlying conflict and God's intervention in the situation. Ultimately, Jacob's response reflects his desire for freedom and protection for his family amidst Laban's accusations.
Full Transcript
Now, will you notice verse 26. My, how clever he is here. He's a real diplomat, by the way.
And Laban said to Jacob, What hast thou done, that thou hast stolen away unawares to me, and carried away my daughters as captives taken with the sword? My, that ought to make Jacob feel pretty bad that he had run away like that. 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, and with tabret, and with harp? Why, Uncle Laban says, I would have given you a wonderful send-off party. I would really have had a great celebration, and we would have given you a fond farewell.
That's what he's saying now. I don't think he would have done it. And listen to him.
My, he peels now to sentiment. Verse 28, And hast not suffered me to kiss my sons and my daughters? The sons would be those twelve grandsons there, and they're going to be very prominent as far as the history of this world is concerned. Hast not suffered me to kiss my sons and my daughters? Thou hast now done foolishly in so doing.
It's in the power of my hand to do you hurt. But the God of your father spake unto me yesterday night, saying, Take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob, either good or bad. And Laban lets him know that he didn't mean good by him, but God had prevented him from doing bad.
Now will you notice? Verse 30, And now, though thou wouldst needs be gone, because thou sore longest after thy father's house, yet wherefore hast thou stolen my gods? That's a funny kind of a God to have, isn't it, that you can steal it? And Jacob answered and said to Laban, Because I was afraid, for I said, Peradventure thou wouldst take by force thy daughters from me. Now, he's not answering that he had taken the gods. He didn't know that Rachel had taken them, actually.
What he's answering is this. Why did you run away without letting me know and giving you a party? He says, I was afraid that if I wanted to go, that you wouldn't let me take your daughters, my wives, and my family, and that which belonged to me. You wouldn't permit it.
Sermon Outline
- Laban's Reaction to Jacob's Departure
- Laban's Sentimental Appeal
- Jacob's Response to Laban's Accusations
- Jacob's fear of being forced to stay
- Jacob's explanation for taking Laban's gods
Key Quotes
“Why, Uncle Laban says, I would have given you a wonderful send-off party.” — J. Vernon McGee
“It's in the power of my hand to do you hurt.” — J. Vernon McGee
“Because I was afraid, for I said, Peradventure thou wouldst take by force thy daughters from me.” — J. Vernon McGee
Application Points
- We should be honest and transparent in our relationships, just like Jacob's fear of being forced to stay led him to be honest with Laban.
- God's intervention in our lives can prevent us from making mistakes, just like God prevented Laban from doing harm to Jacob.
- We should be grateful for the opportunities we have to leave a positive impact on others, just like Laban's offer of a farewell party.