Genesis 31 (Part 2) - How To Catch A Thief

 

Genesis 31:31-55 

In response to Laban's questions regarding Jacob sneaking away, he answered and said that he was afraid that Laban would take his daughters from him by force. Then, not knowing that Rachel took the idols, Jacob told Laban that he could kill whomever he found with the idols. So Laban started his search. He went into Jacob's tent, then Leah's tent and the tents of the two maids and did not find them. Laban enters Rachel's tent. Apparently everyone had their own tent. In the post where Rachel pimped Jacob to Leah for mandrakes (Genesis 30:15), I thought that Jacob and Rachel were in the same tent. Rachel had taken the household idols and put them in the camel's saddle and sat on them. Of course, Laban's search of Rachel's tent did not result in finding the idols. Rachel said that the manner of women was with her and that's why she couldn't come down off the camel to greet him. Basically, she said that she was on her period. No matter where Laban searched, he didn't find the idols. So, Laban did not know how to catch a thief. The thief (Rachel) outsmarted him. I wonder if he would have killed her if he had found the idols with her. After all, that was Jacob's suggestion for the guilty party.

Still not knowing that Rachel stole the household idols, Jacob was angry and rebuked Laban asking "What is my trespass?" He also asked what was his sin that Laban so hotly pursued him. He scolded Laban saying that he searched his things and what did he find? If he found anything to bring it before their families and let them be the judge! Jacob recounts all that he did for Laban in the twenty years he worked for him. Do you feel appreciated on your job? Or, if you are retired did you always feel appreciated at work? Jacob tells Laban that since he has been working for him, the ewes and female goats did not have miscarriages nor did he eat the rams from the flock. When a wild beast killed any of the flock, Jacob bore the loss and didn't take the dead animals to Laban. If any livestock was stolen Laban made Jacob pay for it whether it was his fault or not. Jacob worked extremely hard whether it was in the heat of the day or frost in the night. He was sleep deprived very often. In that twenty years, fourteen for Laban's two daughters and six for the flock, Laban changed Jacob's wages ten times. He told Laban that if it had not been for the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac (his father) being with him, Laban would have sent him away with nothing. So yes, I googled "Fear of Isaac". Most of what I found indicated that Jacob didn't say the God of Isaac because Isaac was still alive. He said "Fear of Isaac" to indicate that God was the Object of Isaac's worship; that Isaac reverenced God. Jacob said that God saw his affliction and how hard he worked, so He rebuked Laban (referring to the dream in Verse 24). We must recognize, that if it wasn't for God being on our side, we would be defeated by the enemy and completely lost. Song lyrics - "If it had not been for the Lord on my side, tell me, where would I be, where would I be?" The words in this song are so, so true!

Laban responded to Jacob by saying that Leah and Rachel are his daughters, their children are his children and the flocks are his flocks. In fact, all that Jacob had was his, according to Laban. When I read this, I thought "Wow, Laban just claimed everybody, every animal and every possession as if Jacob had nothing to do with any of it." Have you ever been in a situation where someone took all of the credit for a collaborative effort and didn't acknowledge your part in it at all? It could have been a project at work, a program at church, or even a situation within your family (home). Then, Laban asks what could he do to his daughters and their children on that day. Different commentaries I read (googled, of course) took the viewpoint that Laban's response was one of affection; that he would not want to cause harm to them. I think it could be a combination of my thoughts and the commentaries. Since God told Laban not to harm Jacob, I feel his response was meant to be hurtful especially since he could not do him any physical harm. Although, sometimes words and the manner in which they are said can be vicious. Then, I also think that being a father, he truly would not have wanted to harm his daughters and grandchildren despite any tension between them.

Laban suggested that he and Jacob make a covenant and let it be a witness between them. So, Jacob took a stone and set it up as a pillar and told his family to gather stones in a heap. They ate there on the heap. Laban called the heap of stones "Jegar Sahadutha" meaning heap of testimony or witness (Aramaic or Syriac). However, Jacob called it "Galeed" which is the Hebrew equivalent to the name Laban called it. Laban said that the heap is a witness between him and Jacob, so it was called Galeed. It was also called Mizpah because Laban said, "May the Lord watch between you and me when we are absent one from another." Mizpah means "watchtower" in Hebrew. Out of concern for his daughters, Laban told Jacob that if he mistreats his daughters or take other wives in addition to them when no one is around to see it - God will see it and stand as Witness between them. As a concerned father, Laban was looking out for the best interest of his daughters. Laban also referred to the heap as the heap and the pillar that he placed between him and Jacob. Here he goes again, not giving Jacob credit for anything, because Verses 45 and 46 state that Jacob set up the pillar and had his family gather the stones. Laban continues to say that the heap and pillar are a witness that he will not go past them to hurt Jacob nor shall Jacob go past them to cause harm to him. He said that the God of Abraham, the God of Nahor and the God of their father (Terah - Genesis 11:26) will judge between them. Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac.

Jacob offered a sacrifice on the mountain and called his family members to the meal. They ate and stayed all night on the mountain.

Early the next morning, Laban arose and kissed his sons (grandsons) and daughters and blessed them. He then departed and returned home.

Our next stop on this Biblical journey is Genesis 32.

To God Be The Glory!