Genesis 31 (Part 1) - Running Away With A Thief

 

Genesis 31:1-30

Jacob heard that Laban's sons were saying that he took everything that belonged to their father and that was how he acquired his wealth. Jacob perceived that Laban's countenance towards him was no longer favorable. The Lord told Jacob to return to the land of his fathers and to his family. God promised to be with him. Jacob called Rachel and Leah to his flock in the field and told them that he sees Laban's countenance towards him has changed for the worse, but the God of his father has been with him. He reflected on how he served Laban with all of his might, yet Laban deceived him and changed his wages ten times.  Jacob told them that despite all that Laban did to him, God didn't allow Laban to hurt him. Jacob said that if Laban said that the speckled would be his wages, then all the flocks bore speckled offspring. The same thing happened if Laban said that the streaked would be his wages. Jacob stated that God took the livestock from Laban and gave them to him. Have you ever been in a situation where once you were benefiting or winning from the established rules, the person or organization that set the rules wanted to change them? Jacob tells Rachel and Leah about a dream he had while the flocks were mating, in which he saw that the rams mounting their mates were streaked, speckled and gray-spotted. Then an Angel of the Lord called Jacob in the dream and he answered, "Here I am." He told Jacob to notice that they all were streaked, speckled and gray-spotted. He stated that He saw all that Laban was doing to him.  Have you ever been mistreated and needed God to come to your rescue?  He said that He was the God of Bethel, where Jacob anointed a pillar and made a vow to Him (Genesis 28:18-20). He instructed Jacob to leave that land and return to the land of his family. Rachel and Leah responded to Jacob with the question, "Is there still any portion or inheritance for us in our father's house?" They felt like strangers to him. They even seem to resent that he had sold them to Jacob and said that he had completely consumed their money.  These two sisters are finally on one accord. They have a "common enemy", their father. Sounds like there is no love lost here.  They figured that whatever God took from their father belonged to them and their children anyway. So, they agreed with each other and told Jacob that he should do what God has told him to do. Jacob rose and put his sons and wives on camels. Jacob carried away all of his livestock, his possessions and all that he acquired in Padan Aram to go back to his father's (Isaac) land of Canaan.

Laban had gone to shear his sheep and Rachel stole her father's household idols. Jacob departed, unknown to Laban because he didn't tell him that he intended to flee. He took off across the river and headed towards the mountains of Gilead with all that he had. Laban didn't find out until the third day that Jacob was gone. Laban, with his crew, pursued Jacob for seven days' journey and finally overtook him in the mountains of Gilead.

God came to Laban in a dream and told him not to bring any harm upon Jacob. Has God ever warned anyone that you know about how they should treat you? Has He ever warned you about how you should treat someone in your life under any circumstances? Jacob and his family pitched tents in the mountains and so did Laban and the crew he had with him. Laban asked Jacob why did he sneak off and take his daughters away like they were captives taken by the sword. Not only that, Laban asked Jacob why did he steal from him and not tell him.  Well, most people sneaking off from someone will not tell the person they are leaving. Of course, they wouldn't tell them that they stole from them either.  Laban claims that he might have sent Jacob away with joy and songs, with timbrel and harp.  Basically, he's claiming that he might have thrown him a "good-bye" party if he had known. Yeah, right (typed in sarcasm).  Laban told Jacob that he didn't allow him the opportunity to kiss his sons (really grandsons) and daughters good-bye. Like they would have wanted to do that after being sold to Jacob. He told Jacob that what he did was foolish and it was within his power to harm him. However, Laban did reveal to Jacob that the God of his father spoke to him in a dream and told him not to do Jacob any harm. Laban said that he knows Jacob left because he wanted to return back to his father's house. He asked, "why did you steal my gods?" This goes to show that God will speak and reveal Himself even to those who worship other gods.  Also, pay close attention to your dreams; maybe God is trying to tell you something.

The saga continues next week in Genesis 31 (Part 2).

To God Be The Glory!