Genesis 30:25

Genesis 30:25 says, And it came to pass, when Rachel had born Joseph, that Jacob said unto Laban, Send me away, that I may go unto mine own place, and to my country.  After the birth of Joseph, Jacob was ready to return home.  He had not come to this land for a permanent home, but to find a wife from his mother's people.  We cannot afford to lose sight of our original purpose when we are following God, even if life seems to be going very well when we are doing whatever we are doing.  Verse twenty-six adds, Give me my wives and my children, for whom I have served thee, and let me go: for thou knowest my service which I have done thee.  Jacob asked Laban to allow him to leave with his wives and children.  Jacob had worked for Laban even beyond the years required to have Leah and Rachel as his wives, though it was all really done only for Rachel.  Jacob still showed respect for Laban by asking his permission to leave.  I believe that we as followers of Christ should always be respectful to others whenever possible, no matter what our relationship with them may be.  Verse twenty-seven states, And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favour in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by experience that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake.  Laban asked Jacob to stay because God had blessed Laban for Jacob's sake.  Though we may feel that we are blessed by being around Christians, we can only truly be blessed by having a personal relationship with Christ.  Laban really didn't need Jacob to be blessed by God, and we don't need anyone today to know God's blessings, but like Laban, even if he didn't know it, we need only that personal relationship with God.  Verse twenty-eight adds, And he said, Appoint me thy wages, and I will give it.  Laban basically asked for Jacob to tell him what he owed him, even though Laban had asked him to stay.  Verse twenty-nine declares, And he said unto him, Thou knowest how I have served thee, and how thy cattle was with me.  Verse thirty adds, For it was little which thou hadst before I came, and it is now increased unto a multitude; and the LORD hath blessed thee since my coming: and now when shall I provide for mine own house also?   Jacob told Laban that Laban's wealth had increased because of Jacob's work and God's blessing Jacob.  If we have done something to benefit someone else, even if it is because of our work, we should always give God the credit if we are followers of Christ.  Jacob also asked how he would provide for his family if he left everything with Laban.  Verse thirty-one states, And he said, What shall I give thee? And Jacob said, Thou shalt not give me any thing: if thou wilt do this thing for me, I will again feed and keep thy flock:  Laban asked Jacob what he wanted Laban to give him, and Jacob said he didn't want Laban to give him anything.  If Laban agreed to Jacob's proposal, then Jacob would work for him awhile longer.  Verse thirty-two adds, I will pass through all thy flock to day, removing from thence all the speckled and spotted cattle, and all the brown cattle among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats: and of such shall be my hire.  Verse thirty-three concludes, So shall my righteousness answer for me in time to come, when it shall come for my hire before thy face: every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and brown among the sheep, that shall be counted stolen with me.  Jacob said he would separate certain goats and sheep from the others, and when the time came for him to leave that those that were like those that had been separated would be his wages.  Like Jacob, we cannot demand someone give us something, but we can also be expected to be paid fairly for our work.  Jacob also once again gave God the credit for his success, and so should we in all the success that we have in the world.  Verse thirty-four declares, And Laban said, Behold, I would it might be according to thy word.  Laban agreed with Jacob's plan.