Genesis 31:22-55

Genesis 31:22-55

After Jacob’s escape, Laban acted out of anger, angry that he had been tricked by Jacob as Jacob fled from Laban’s presence. Laban really should not be shocked that Jacob left, for he had treated him wrongly on multiple occasions. But what Laban was really upset about was the fact that his “gods” had been stolen from his home. Jacob was quick to point out that anyone who worships those false gods would find punishment, but Laban was finding some type of false hope from them. This is particularly odd when Laban saw how the one, true God (the God of Jacob) had blessed him as a result of Jacob for so many years. Why could he not see the truth, and why did he continue to place his hope in these other gods of his? Then God speaks directly to Laban in a dream, telling him not to speak good or evil to Jacob. After encountering God personally, how could Laban not understand who the Lord is?

This is something I struggle with. There are people I know or have known who have had all the answers laid out in front of them. They know the truth, or at least know of it. They see how so many who believe in God are blessed (even in the hard times life throws at them). Yet, they continue to deny that it is true. They continue to suggest that they would be exempt from those blessings. They continue to remain blind of the truth. It is so frustrating when to me it seems that they have all the answers in front of them and all they have to do is reach out and take them. But for them it is so hard, because it would mean a total life change. It would mean that they would have to give up all that they had placed their hope in and do a complete 180. Although I know that that is what they should do, it does not mean that it is easy for them to do. That is what Laban was struggling with at this point, and he had not yet come to the point of realizing the truth.

Laban then searches Jacob’s entire house for the gods that he had lost (for Rachel had taken them and Jacob did not know this). After searching every tent, Laban did not find them (for Rachel had hid them well). This angered Jacob, and rightfully slow considering that he had known what Rachel had done. To Jacob it appeared that he was being falsely accused by Laban and that Laban was invading his privacy of the things that were his. Now true, one of the reasons he had his family and flocks were because of Laban, but that did not give Laban the right to continue to pursue him. He and Laban both knew that God had blessed Jacob with these things, and it was God’s will that Jacob acquire such great wealth for His purposes.

After coming up empty handed, Laban made a covenant with Jacob. He tried to make a peace deal between the two men, and he told Jacob to never take wives other than Leah and Rachel. The pillar that they built was the boundary of their two lands. The deal they made was that neither should cross that boundary if they are seeking to cause harm to the other. This would keep them away from each other, where they could both rebuild their lives separately. It is unclear as to Laban’s opinion of God at this point, but it does appear that he recognized God’s authority. His father Nahor was Abraham’s brother, so he was from the same lineage as Jacob and should have known who God was. Maybe this incident was a way for him to begin to understand the truth.

Matt