Genesis 31:22

Genesis 31:22 says, And it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob was fled.  Jacob had been gone three days before Laban was told he was gone.  I am not sure, but this would seem to indicate that Laban had little to do with actually managing his livestock.  Verse twenty-three states, And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven days’ journey; and they overtook him in the mount Gilead.  It took them a week, but they finally overtook Jacob at Mt. Gilead.  Jacob and those with him must have been making good time for it to take Laban a week to catch them.  No matter how far we may attempt to get away from those who are angry with us, we cannot always escape them.  Verse twenty-four declares, And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.  God warned Laban in a dream not speak either good nor bad to Jacob.  This was a warning that Laban was not to act toward Jacob with anger.  Matthew Henry says that this was God's way of protecting Jacob.  Even though Laban was not one of God's people, God was still able to reach him with His word.  I believe that even those who do not acknowledge God often know of His existence.  Verse twenty-five states, Then Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mount: and Laban with his brethren pitched in the mount of Gilead.  Then verse twenty-six adds, 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?  Laban accused Jacob of sneaking away and forcing his daughters, not referring to them as Jacob's wives, away by force.  This was really a false accusation, since Jacob had the right to take his wives with him.  People may often use half truths in an attempt to discredit us in the world today.  Verse twenty-seven asks, 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, with tabret, and with harp?  Laban implies that if Jacob had told him he was leaving that he would have thrown a party for Jacob.  It is not unusual for those who had evil intents toward us to claim that we are the ones who misunderstood them and are at fault for the problem between us.   Matthew Henry points out that unlike sending Rebekah away with prayers, that Laban claimed he would have sent Jacob and his family away with a party.  Verse twenty-eight adds, And hast not suffered me to kiss my sons and my daughters? thou hast now done foolishly in so doing.  Laban now claimed that he was denied the right to kiss his daughters and grandsons goodbye.  These were the same daughters that Laban had used for his advantage when dealing with Jacob.  People will often claim that they have feelings of love for others if it is to there advantage, even if their actions have shown just the opposite.  Verse twenty-nine continues, It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt: but the God of your father spake unto me yesternight, saying, Take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.  Laban basically said he had the power to hurt Jacob, but that the God of Jacob's father had warned him to not do so.  Laban did not say his God, nor even Jacob's God, but the God of Jacob's father.  We may never know how many times God has interceded for us to keep someone from harming us.  Verse thirty concludes, And now, though thou wouldest needs be gone, because thou sore longedst after thy father’s house, yet wherefore hast thou stolen my gods?  Laban told Jacob that he knew Jacob wanted to return to his home, but then asked Jacob why he had stolen Laban's gods.  Though this had not been Laban's real reason for chasing Jacob, it now became the focus.  As followers of Christ, one thing we never need to worry about is someone stealing our God.  Verse thirty-one says, And Jacob answered and said to Laban, Because I was afraid: for I said, Peradventure thou wouldest take by force thy daughters from me.  Jacob said he left as he did because he was afraid that Laban might attempt to take Leah and Rachel from Him.  Laban had used them for years as a way to control Jacob.  We should never act out of fear of those around us, but must always act by faith in God.  Verse thirty-two declares, With whomsoever thou findest thy gods, let him not live: before our brethren discern thou what is thine with me, and take it to thee. For Jacob knew not that Rachel had stolen them.  Jacob said that whoever stole Laban's gods should be put to death, not knowing that Rachel was the one who stole them.  We should be careful about making rash statements without knowing all the facts, especially if we are condemning others by doing so.