A Family Divided

After the birth of Joseph, Jacob asks his father-in-law to send him (and his family, of course) back home, but having Jacob around has been prosperous for Laban, and he’s not anxious to lose him. “Name your wages, and I will pay them,” he says. And he’s persistent.

Jacob’s one request is to go through all of Laban’s flocks and remove the speckled or spotted sheep and goats and every dark-colored lamb. In exchange, he will stay.

This sounds like a great deal for Laban … Jacob, however, makes a plan of his own!

Employing some interesting breeding system which results in weak animals going to Laban and not only distinctly colored but also strong ones to himself, Jacob ends up getting rich… and richer! Not everyone is happy about his success, and three things happen:

One, Jacob hears that Laban’s sons are accusing him of acquiring his wealth by taking away what had belonged to their father; two, he notices a change in Laban’s attitude toward him; Finally, he is told by the Lord to return home.

So Jacob arranges a meeting in the fields with his wives:

When he tells them about God’s command to return home, they don’t seem to mind at all:

With Laban’s daughters clearly on board, Jacob flees with his family, livestock, and everything he’d accumulated, along with (unbeknownst to him) Laban’s household gods, which Rachel had stolen from her father.

Now Laban doesn’t learn about this unwelcome turn of events until about three days into it, and it takes him a week in pursuit to finally catch up to his nephew/son-in-law.

Does anyone believe it was the missed farewell party and goodbye kisses that had Laban so bent out of shape? Does anyone think Jacob believed that?! But what’s this about stolen gods?

I don’t know whether Jacob didn’t believe that either, whether he was inclined to exact “justice” no matter what it might entail, or whether he spoke without considering possible repercussions. Whatever the case, he declares that anyone found in possession of Laban’s gods will die.

It was a bold proclamation that could have cost him the life of his beloved… had his beloved not been clever. But she was - clever enough to hide those gods in her camel’s saddle, sit on them, and tell her father she couldn’t stand because of her period!

When the search turns up nothing, Jacob - after 20 years working for Laban - finally gives him a piece of his mind. I think his impassioned speech as recorded in Genesis 31:36-42 is my favorite part of the whole story:

Go Jacob!

As someone who has trouble biting her tongue for 20 minutes, I don’t know whether to admire Jacob for holding his for 20 years or whether to think he bottled up way too much for way too long!

Honestly, I admire him. His example encourages me to be more concerned about doing right by other people than about making sure they’re doing right by me.

Jacob wasn’t the first person to ever find himself on the short end of justice - nor the last. But his story is a great reminder that God is much better at settling our scores for us than we are at avenging ourselves.

My problem is staying out of His way long enough to let Him do it.

What if Laban had acknowledged Jacob’s words with humility? What if he’d apologized or even just admitted where he was wrong? I guess playing victim held more appeal than accepting responsibility for the harm that had been done.

Knowing he’s “beaten,” Laban recommends making a covenant, which they do. At least the parting is peaceful, but it’s still goodbye.

In a way, I feel sorry for Laban. I’ve messed up enough to know all about how pride blinds us to things we’d rather not confront in ourselves. It’s tough to face “ugly truths.” Not only is it uncomfortable; it’s embarrassing. But the inability (or unwillingness) to do so is tragic. 

Pride destroys relationships; it separates families all the time. In Laban’s case, he says goodbye to both of his daughters as well as his grandchildren (11 at this point). How heartbreaking when someone’s ego costs him (or her) the dearest people in the world. 

As one family is saying goodbye, another is being reunited.

It’s been 20 years since Jacob had left home after earning a death threat from his enraged brother, Esau. As he makes his way back, he sends ahead messengers who return saying:  

I’m sure I’d have been tempted to turn and run the other way, but Jacob isn’t running - not this time.

He divides his people and animals into two groups.

When the most natural thing in the world is to panic, Jacob reminds us to pray.

We’ll begin next time with a powerful prayer then watch as Jacob demonstrates some remarkable courage and wisdom - and brother Esau steps in with some surprises of his own!

Blessings until then, Kim