Gen. 30:27-31:3
“AND LABAN said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favor in thine eyes, tarry; for I have learned by experience that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake.” v. 27. Laban was not one to embrace any thought toward God in his life, but was quick to see that God was with Jacob. He pressed him to rain with him, so that he himself might prosper still further and said: “Appoint me thy wages, and I will give it.”
Jacob yielded to the pleading, because he too saw an opportunity for his own personal gain and a chance to out scheme the older man. Thus delaying his return to his own country, he was to spend six additional years in this foreign land. Ah, poor treacherous heart of Jacob, which prolonged the days in which his family continued amid the idolatry and unhealthy atmosphere of that worldly place, for earthly gain. And yet God watched over him, for God’s ways with His own are not determined by their purposes, but according to His grace and goodness.
In the years that followed Jacob was successful in building up a great flock of goats and sheep for himself, all in accordance with his bargain with Laban, but at the expense of the older man, as well. “And the man increased exceedingly, and had much cattle, and maidservants, and menservants, and camels, and asses.” v. 43. As Jacob’s prosperity is recited, the riches of Abraham while he was in Egypt (Chap. 12) and the riches of Isaac while in the land of Abimelech (Chap. 26) are both brought to mind. It will be remembered that in both instances their possessions brought upon them the envy and enmity of those among whom they dwelt, a sorry, but helpful lesson those who will hearken, that rich in this world’s goods are a pop source of happiness.
If God had not interrupted the earthly prosperity of Jacob, perhaps he would never have been content to leave Laban’s side in spite of his many trials. However, Laban’s sons were not unaware of what was taking place and, at the end of six years, they complained to their father: “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. And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before.” Chap. 31:1,2.
“And the LORD said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee.” v. 3. This is the first recorded instance of Jacob hearing the Lord’s voice since he arrived in Haran twenty years before. He had now reached a point of fear and uncertainty, which was exactly what was required to cause him to look away from self. No longer in a position to bargain for himself in the face of his father-in-law’s anger, how welcome to his ear must have been the voice of the One who had spoken to him at Beth-el and who would now direct his way for him.
Memory Verse: “AS MANY AS RECEIVED HIM, TO THEM GAVE HE POWER TO BECOME THE SONS OF GOD.” John 1:12.
ML-10/23/1966