Genesis 31:43

Genesis 31:43 says, And Laban answered and said unto Jacob, These daughters are my daughters, and these children are my children, and these cattle are my cattle, and all that thou seest is mine: and what can I do this day unto these my daughters, or unto their children which they have born?  Laban was still claiming everything that Jacob had worked for to be his.  Jacob had fulfilled his agreement with Laban, but evidently Laban never intended to fulfill his.  We likewise cannot be certain that people will always deal fairly with us, but we must always deal fairly with them.  Verse forty-four states, Now therefore come thou, let us make a covenant, I and thou; and let it be for a witness between me and thee.  Laban wanted to make another agreement with Jacob, even though he hadn't been willing to keep the ones he had already made.   Verse forty-five declares, And Jacob took a stone, and set it up for a pillar.  Then verse forty-six adds, And Jacob said unto his brethren, Gather stones; and they took stones, and made an heap: and they did eat there upon the heap.  Jacob basically made an altar of stones as a place of remembrance of the agreement.  We today might say that we got it down in writing.  Verse forty-seven says,  And Laban called it Jegarsahadutha: but Jacob called it Galeed.  They named the place in their own language, but the Hebrew name, the one Jacob gave it, was the one that lasted.  If we are following God's leadership, then the things that we do will last, but if we are just following our own plans, they most likely will not.  Verse forty-eight states, And Laban said, This heap is a witness between me and thee this day. Therefore was the name of it called Galeed;   Verse forty-nine adds, And Mizpah; for he said, The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.  Laban said the place would stand as a reminder before God that God stood before them.  Even if Laban did not follow God's laws, he was ready to acknowledge God's authority after his dream.  Even those who do not necessarily believe in God may not be willing to totally defy Him, especially if they have somehow seen His work in the world.  Verse fifty declares, If thou shalt afflict my daughters, or if thou shalt take other wives beside my daughters, no man is with us; see, God is witness betwixt me and thee.  Laban said Jacob had to promise before God to treat Leah and Rachel right and to not take other wives.  The vows between Laban and Jacob might have been broken easily, but those made before God would not.  When we make a vow to God, we must not break it, and if God is behind it, He never will.  Verse fifty-one, adds, And Laban said to Jacob, Behold this heap, and behold this pillar, which I have cast betwixt me and thee;  Then verse fifty-two  This heap be witness, and this pillar be witness, that I will not pass over this heap to thee, and that thou shalt not pass over this heap and this pillar unto me, for harm.  Then verse fifty-three concludes, The God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge betwixt us. And Jacob sware by the fear of his father Isaac.  Laban said that the pillar would be a dividing point between them, and that if either ever crossed over to harm the other, then God should be their judge.  Jacob agreed with Laban's proposal.  As followers of Christ, the cross is the dividing point between the world and us, and we must never cross over it to harm others.  The cross calls for us to identify with Christ, and we cannot use our relationship with Him to act towards others in a way that contradicts His teachings.  Verse fifty-four declares, Then Jacob offered sacrifice upon the mount, and called his brethren to eat bread: and they did eat bread, and tarried all night in the mount.  Jacob prepared a feast, and they stayed there all night.  Jacob no longer felt the need to run away from Laban.  When we know that we are following God's will, we no longer need to run from the world.  Verse fifty-five states, And early in the morning Laban rose up, and kissed his sons and his daughters, and blessed them: and Laban departed and returned unto his place.  Laban left them with his blessing.  Even though the agreement was between Laban and Jacob, it was God Who made it possible.  If God is behind our agreements with people of the world, we need to never fear, because God will be with us forever.

Genesis 31:33

Genesis 31:33 says, And Laban went into Jacob’s tent, and into Leah’s tent, and into the two maidservants’ tents; but he found them not. Then went he out of Leah’s tent, and entered into Rachel’s tent.  Laban began by searching the tents, beginning with Jacob's, then working downward.  I am sure he would have loved to have found the statues in Jacob's tent, and if not, then Leah's or Rachel's, then he would have had more leverage over them.  People of the world today would really like to discredit followers of Christ, especially those who are leaders.  Verse thirty-four states, Now Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the camel’s furniture, and sat upon them. And Laban searched all the tent, but found them not.  Rachel had hidden the images in the camels furniture, whatever that was, and sat on them.  Seems that she could be devious as well.  Hopefully, we will never be in a position where we feel the need to attempt to hide our sins, but if we are, ultimately it will never work, because God knows when we do.  Verse thirty-five says, And she said to her father, Let it not displease my lord that I cannot rise up before thee; for the custom of women is upon me. And he searched, but found not the images.  Not only had Rachel stolen the images and now was hiding them during the search, but she was lying as well.  One sin often leads to another.  Even though Rachel was keeping Laban from finding the images, it did not justify her actions.  Verse thirty-eight declares, And Jacob was wroth, and chode with Laban: and Jacob answered and said to Laban, What is my trespass? what is my sin, that thou hast so hotly pursued after me?  Jacob was becoming angry and asked Laban what he had done wrong to cause Laban to pursue him so angrily.  Though Jacob thought that Laban was in the wrong, he wasn't.  Jacob was standing for his whole party.  We need to be careful when we defend other Christians that they are not in the wrong, as was Rachel.  Verse thirty-seven adds, Whereas thou hast searched all my stuff, what hast thou found of all thy household stuff? set it here before my brethren and thy brethren, that they may judge betwixt us both.  Jacob basically said for Laban to produce the evidence before everyone.  Again, Jacob still thought that Laban was making up the charge against Him.  Sometimes, even if people cannot find the evidence that we or those close to us have somehow cheated them, it does not mean that they are wrong.  Verse thirty-eight continues, This twenty years have I been with thee; thy ewes and thy she goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten.  Jacob said that he had served Laban faithfully for twenty years.  Verse thirty-nine adds further, That which was torn of beasts I brought not unto thee; I bare the loss of it; of my hand didst thou require it, whether stolen by day, or stolen by night.  Jacob continued to state that he had faithfully served Laban for those twenty years.  Still, Jacob was vouching not only for himself, but for all those with him.  Even when we have dealt honestly with someone else, we really cannot vouch for others around us, no matter how closely related they may be to us.  Verse forty goes on, Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes.  Then verse forty-one adds, Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times.  Now, while proclaiming his innocence, Jacob points out had Laban had cheated him during that time.  Though we are not told the specifics, Jacob said Laban had changed his wages ten times.  I don't really believe that we should ever defend ourselves, even if we are innocent, by pointing out the sins of others.  We can never be justified before God by pointing out the sins of others, but must simply take responsibility for our own sins.  Verse forty-two declares, Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.  Jacob said the God of his fathers had protected and had given him the reward for his labor.  Jacob was still not saying that God was his God.  If we are to claim that God is blessing us, we need to make sure that we have a personal relationship with Him.

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.

Genesis 31:14

Genesis 31:14 says, And Rachel and Leah answered and said unto him, Is there yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father’s house?  Rachel and Leah both asked in effect what was there left for their with their father.  Leah could have told Jacob that since he didn't love her as much as he did Rachel that she was going to stay with her father, but she didn't.  When we come to Christ, whether we be a man or woman, there should never be anything that we left behind in our old sinful life that we would want to go back to.  Verse fifteen asks, Are we not counted of him strangers? for he hath sold us, and hath quite devoured also our money.  Rachel and Leah asked if they were not looked on the same as strangers to their father.  They said that he had sold them and used all the money that might have been theirs.  We can also be sure that when people of the world figure that they have gotten everything they can from us, there will be no reason to go back to them.  Verse sixteen adds, For all the riches which God hath taken from our father, that is ours, and our children’s: now then, whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do.  Rachel and Leah credited God with taking things from Laban and giving them to Jacob, and said that God did it for them and their children.  We likewise should acknowledge that God is at work in our lives when we are blessed.  They told Jacob to do what God had told him to do.  We, as followers of Christ, should always tell others to do what God has told them to do, even if it affects us personally.  Verse seventeen states, Then Jacob rose up, and set his sons and his wives upon camels;  Then verse eighteen adds, And he carried away all his cattle, and all his goods which he had gotten, the cattle of his getting, which he had gotten in Padanaram, for to go to Isaac his father in the land of Canaan.  Jacob gathered all his family and animals and was ready to go back to his father's land.  Jacob may have been getting wealthy where he was, but he wasn't where God wanted him to be.  Even if we are getting wealthy where we are, we need to make sure that we are where God wants us to be.  If we aren't, then we like Jacob need to rise up and return to where God wants us to be.  Verse nineteen declares, And Laban went to shear his sheep: and Rachel had stolen the images that were her father’s.  Matthew Henry says that these were most likely religious images, and that Rachel took them not for a real desire to have them, but to keep Laban from consulting them to find out where they had gone.  She should have been content to simply rely on God, and also to be willing to leave behind anything that could not be attributed to God's work in their lives.  I don't believe that God will ever lead us to dishonest acts in order to achieve His will.  Even if we must stand against certain laws that go against God's teachings, we should do so openly and honestly and never to enrich ourselves.  Verse twenty says, And Jacob stole away unawares to Laban the Syrian, in that he told him not that he fled.  Jacob left without telling Laban that he was leaving.  Verse twenty-one adds, So he fled with all that he had; and he rose up, and passed over the river, and set his face toward the mount Gilead.  Jacob took all his family and all his possessions fled from Laban.  I don't believe that there was a need for Jacob to leave this way, since he was doing what God had told him to do.  Once more, when we are following God's leadership, we need to be open and honest in our dealings with other people.

Genesis 31:1

Genesis 31:1 says, And he heard the words of Laban’s sons, saying, Jacob hath taken away all that was our father’s; and of that which was our father’s hath he gotten all this glory.  Jacob heard Laban's sons claiming that he had taken everything from their father.  This is the first time we hear anything about Laban's sons, and when we do, they are angry about Jacob taken what Laban and he had agreed on as Jacob's wages.  When material things are involved, often it doesn't take long for others, especially family members, to be upset if they think they are losing something.  Verse two states, And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before.  Laban also changed his attitude toward Jacob, even though he had agreed to give Jacob the part of the flock that Jacob had taken.  Verse three declares, And the LORD said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee.  Basically, God told Jacob it was time for him to go home.  When we are in a bad situation, we need to listen to what God tells us.  If we obey God, He will never desert us.  Verse four declares, And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field unto his flock. Verse five adds,, And said unto them, I see your father’s countenance, that it is not toward me as before; but the God of my father hath been with me.  Jacob sent Rachel and Leah out to his flocks, and then he told them that he could see that their father's attitude toward him had changed.  If we see possible danger to others, we should make them aware of it.  Jacob also said that the God of his father was with him. Verse six continues, And ye know that with all my power I have served your father.  Jacob reminded them that he had faithfully served their father.  We need to be faithful in our relationship to others, but we especially need to be faithful in our relationship to our heavenly Father.  Verse seven adds, And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me.  Jacob said that Laban had cheated him multiple times, but that God had kept Jacob safe.  Even if other people cheat us, we can be certain that God is going to keep us spiritually safe forever if we are followers of Christ.  Verse eight states, I said thus, The speckled shall be thy wages; then all the cattle bare speckled: and if he said thus, The ringstraked shall be thy hire; then bare all the cattle ringstraked.  Basically, Jacob said he had no control over what color the animals would be born, and that he was just taking the ones that Laban and he had agreed on.  Verse nine adds, Thus God hath taken away the cattle of your father, and given them to me.  Though Jacob was still calling God the God of his father, and not his God, Jacob recognized that God was the One giving him the animals.  Even those who may not have a personal relationship with God can often see His work in the world, especially those who are the children of those who believe in God.  Verse ten says, And it came to pass at the time that the cattle conceived, that I lifted up mine eyes, and saw in a dream, and, behold, the rams which leaped upon the cattle were ringstraked, speckled, and grisled.  Then verse eleven adds, And the angel of God spake unto me in a dream, saying, Jacob: And I said, Here am I.  Then verse twelve continues, And he said, Lift up now thine eyes, and see, all the rams which leap upon the cattle are ringstraked, speckled, and grisled: for I have seen all that Laban doeth unto thee.  Jacob said that  an angel of God appeared to him in a dream, and told him that God was giving Jacob the best of the flock, because He knew how Laban had been mistreating Jacob.  God will always know when we are being mistreated, and He will keep us safe, if not in this world, then in the one to come.  Verse thirteen declares, I am the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred.  God reminded Jacob of Who He was and of Jacob's vow to Him at Bethel and that it was time to act on that vow.  It was time get out of the land he was in and return to where he should be.  No matter how successful we may become in the world, we must never forget our promises to God.

Genesis 30:35

Genesis 30:35 says, And he removed that day the he goats that were ringstraked and spotted, and all the she goats that were speckled and spotted, and every one that had some white in it, and all the brown among the sheep, and gave them into the hand of his sons.  Jacob began to separate the herds as Laban and he had agreed to do.  Until then, everything had belonged to Laban, even though Jacob had worked for him for years.  Like Jacob, we should expect at least some reward, or pay, for our work.  Of course, our work for God already has its reward, which is everlasting life.  We cannot work to earn everlasting life, but since we already have the reward, then we should work in appreciation of that reward.  Verse thirty-six states, And he set three days’ journey betwixt himself and Jacob: and Jacob fed the rest of Laban’s flocks.  The flocks, after being divided by color, were separated by three days journey.  This was to ensure that both got what they agreed on.  Jacob still continued to feed the rest of Laban's flocks, as he had agreed to do.  When we make a bargain with someone, we need fulfill our part of the bargain.  Verse thirty-seven says, And Jacob took him rods of green poplar, and of the hazel and chesnut tree; and pilled white strakes in them, and made the white appear which was in the rods. Then verse thirty-eight adds, And he set the rods which he had pilled before the flocks in the gutters in the watering troughs when the flocks came to drink, that they should conceive when they came to drink.  Then verse thirty-nine concludes, And the flocks conceived before the rods, and brought forth cattle ringstraked, speckled, and spotted.  Matthew Henry says that these sticks somehow influenced the color the offspring of the flocks would have.  I am not sure how the stakes influenced anything, but I am sure that God could bless Jacob with the best of the flock.  We need to simply rely on God today without attempting to bring about the outcome that we want in a situation by our own ability.  Verse forty declares, And Jacob did separate the lambs, and set the faces of the flocks toward the ringstraked, and all the brown in the flock of Laban; and he put his own flocks by themselves, and put them not unto Laban’s cattle.  Jacob continued to separate the offspring of the flocks as Laban and he had agreed to do.  Verse forty-one adds, And it came to pass, whensoever the stronger cattle did conceive, that Jacob laid the rods before the eyes of the cattle in the gutters, that they might conceive among the rods.  Then verse forty-two continues, But when the cattle were feeble, he put them not in: so the feebler were Laban’s, and the stronger Jacob’s. Then verse forty-three concludes, And the man increased exceedingly, and had much cattle, and maidservants, and menservants, and camels, and asses.  I will not profess to know exactly how all this worked, but however it was, Jacob somehow had the birth of the animals work in his favor.  He was getting the stronger animals.  Maybe Jacob felt that since Laban had cheated him in his bargain for Rachel that he would now take advantage of his knowledge of the herds to benefit himself.  We can say that Jacob was still relying on his own abilities instead of relying on God.  As followers of Christ, we do not need to deceive others to get what we want in life.  We simply need to put our faith in God.

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.