Genesis: These Are The Generations (XXXIII)

The Separation Of Jacob And Laban (31:1-55)

Neal Pollard

Things began to heat up for Jacob. His brothers-in-law were bandying about some pretty indicting accusations (1) and his father-in-law’s attitude “was not friendly toward him as formerly” (2). Therefore, God calls for Jacob to leave and return to his homeland under His banner of protection (3). Jacob calls his wives, the sisters Rachel and Leah, to meet him in the field to discuss this situation explaining how God was with him and guiding him in the acquisition of the herds they now possessed (4-16). They not only recognize God’s hand in the situation, but they are eager to depart and feel entitled to all that they collectively owned (16). So it was all decided. 

The exodus (17-21).

Jacob gathers his children and wives and puts them on camels (just another indication of how wealthy Jacob had become), driving his livestock and property to go to Canaan’s land (17-18). The New Living Translation says, “Jacob outwitted Laban the Aramean, for they set out secretly and never told Laban they were leaving. So Jacob took all his possessions with him and crossed the Euphrates River, heading for the hill country of Gilead” (20-21). Remember the nature of these men’s relationship with each other, how secrecy, deception, lying, and outwitting are the words best describing it. Jacob is now on the run! 

The expropriation (19,30,32-35)

Following the example of her husband, Rachel steals her father’s household idol while he is away shearing his sheep (you will notice that the word “deceived” for Jacob in v. 20 is the same word for “stole” in v. 19). This was a labor intensive, yet festive, time, and it would have had Jacob’s in-laws quite preoccupied. Laban will find this theft particularly galling, though he never finds out she was the thief. Jacob did not know either, or he would not have suggested the death penalty for the offender (32).  Cyrus Gordon suggests that taking these teraphim or household gods legally guaranteed an inheritance (“Biblical Customs and the Nuzu Tablets.” The Biblical Archaeologist Reader. Ed. David N. Freedman and Edward F. Campbell. II. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1964. 25). Other explanations include that it was used for divination, an activity Laban certainly practiced (30:27) or they were made of precious metal and of great value. More than one of these could be simultaneously true, but whatever their value to Laban he is angry and insistent it be returned. 

The examination (22-35)

Jacob has a three day head start on Laban (22), but the man is determined to catch his son-in-law. It takes him seven days, but he overtakes “in the hill country of Gilead” (23). This is the area where three of Jacob’s sons will desire to make their land inheritance and the place later Old Testament writers allude to as a place of balm, fertility, and green pastures (Song 4:1; Jer. 8:22; Mic. 7:14). 

Here, it is the place of confrontation. Laban is incensed and scolds Jacob for his surreptitious escape (26-28). His stated objection was that he did not get to say goodbye to his daughters and grandchildren. Yet, since God appeared to him and warned him not to take action against Jacob, Laban simply centers his complaint on the stolen teraphim. He searches Jacob’s things and because of Rachel’s crafty ploy does not find it. Jacob admonishes him for his accusation and the tone and tenor of the conversation changes. Jacob has become incensed. 

The exchange (36-54)

It is Jacob’s turn to scold Laban. The essence of his grievance is found in verse 41: “These twenty years I have been in your house; I served you fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flock, and you changed my wages ten times.” Yet, Jacob credits God for preventing him from leaving Laban empty-handed and impoverished (42). Jacob’s summary is that “God has seen my affliction and the toil of my hands, so He rendered judgment last night” (42b). 

Laban, now more contrite, urges that the men make a covenant with one another (43-44). Jacob consents (45-46), and the men forge the agreement calling on God to be their witness. Jacob offers a sacrifice and they all spend one last night together on the mountain called Galeed and Mizpah. The next day Laban and company depart from Jacob and his household. Another significant step is taken toward the fulfillment of the land and seed promise first made to Abraham. God has given him victory over one adversary, but looming over the horizon is another. This one will frighten him tremendously!