Genesis 31:1-9

2009.Feb.06 17:00

Jacob Notices the Obvious

Read Genesis 31:01-09 | Full Chapter

Now Jacob heard that the sons of Laban were saying, "Jacob has taken all that was our father’s, and from what was our father’s he has gained all this wealth." And Jacob saw that Laban did not regard him with favor as before. Then the LORD said to Jacob, "Return to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you." So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah into the field where his flock was and said to them, "I see that your father does not regard me with favor as he did before. But the God of my father has been with me. You know that I have served your father with all my strength, yet your father has cheated me and changed my wages ten times. But God did not permit him to harm me. If he said, 'The spotted shall be your wages,' then all the flock bore spotted; and if he said, 'The striped shall be your wages,' then all the flock bore striped. Thus God has taken away the livestock of your father and given them to me.
(Genesis 31:01-09, ESV)

Jacob hasn’t been ignorant of his father-in-law’s machinations, but he’s been largely going along with him. If he had expected it to turn too bad to bare, then he had chosen to stick around for as long as possible. But now he becomes aware that Laban and Laban’s sons are not kindly disposed to him. In the case of Laban’s sons, the grumbling is sensible: their father’s wealth is declining and their cousin / brother-in-law is the one doing well. For Laban, it’s a bit more complex, because he had wanted Jacob to stay around; he knew that for whatever reason, Jacob’s presence contributed to his material success. However, now that they’ve engaged in these strange doings over the coloration of the flocks, Jacob is benefitting at Laban’s expense, instead of the lots of both improving.

So, Yahweh goes ahead and intervenes, telling Jacob that the time to return to Palestine has come. This is probably the first time Jacob would be receptive to this idea. After all, the injustices he’s so far suffered have been minimal in comparison to what he fears Esau would like to do to him. Now, with Laban’s sons being potential mortal enemies, it’s the choice between being killed by one person or multiple. Add in God’s suggestion, and Jacob’s choice is made.

Jacob calls Leah and Rachel, his wives, to tell them of his intent to hit the road. But he initially focuses on Laban’s treatment of him. Jacob fails to mention his own actions with the various sticks, which might show some culpability on his part for Laban’s treatment. Instead, he’s now happy to give Yahweh, and not his cunning, all the credit for his increased wealth. How often do we play these sort of games? Anyway, it still bugs me that Jacob has not taken up responsibility for the quality of his relationships.

On the Leah / Rachel drama, it’s interesting that Jacob actually speaks with both of them, and together. It’s also interesting that Rachel is listed first. But maybe there’s an indication that Rachel and Leah at least have put some of their bickering behind them.