Genesis 31:17-
Is running away from trouble a pattern for you? It is for many and the reasons are also
many; fear in numerous forms, the desire to be free from responsibility, a
dream of something over the horizon, and you may want to add to the list. To our knowledge this is the second
time for Jacob to run from someone, and also to someone. The first time he is running from his
brother Esau who plans to kill him, but he is also running to his Uncle Laban,
whom both his parents have commanded him to do. This account is Jacob running from Laban to his father’s
house, and once again, it is out of both fear of Laban and in obedience to the
God of his father’s.
Beginning in verse seventeen, “So
Jacob arose and set his sons and his wives on camels. He drove away all his livestock, all his property that he
had gained, the livestock in his possession that he had acquired in
Paddan-aram, to go to the land of Canaan to his father Isaac.” Jacob did not allow his
wives or his children to say goodbye to anyone, not neighbors, not cousins, and
especially not to granddad. When
we lived in Spring, Texas, we had a couple who were the first to welcome us to
the neighborhood; I served on the Water Board for fourteen years with the
husband, we spent time at each others homes on special occasions. Then one day, one of the neighbors told
us they had moved, it came as a shock, what had happened, why would they not
let us in on such a move, and to this day we wonder what happen. I can only imagine what Jacob’s father-in-law
is feeling at this time.
He has not only lost his daughters, and his grandchildren,
and someone has taken his property, and his household gods. Without Jacob’s knowledge Rachel
who feels as if her father has sold her as he would his sheep, slipped into
Laban’s tent and steals his idol that he uses to bring him luck. It is important to note, that Laban
knows about God but he puts his trust in an image he can see, and he is not
that much different than many in churches today. It is also worth mentioning, that the word luck should not
be in a Christian’s vocabulary.
It is three days before Laban is told and he and his sons
are wanting a piece of Jacob, in fact, it could be assumed that they planned on
not only taking back the flocks but also their sisters and Laban’s
grandchildren. You might assume
that they planned on giving Jacob a choice, leave with little or nothing or
die. What they did not know is
that God has already promised Jacob that he would be with him, and it was God
who Jacob is obeying. It is also
clear that God did not want Jacob to physically harm his kinfolks, so he warned
Laban the night before in a dream, not to do anything to Jacob.
We, like Jacob, cannot know the heart of Laban, but we can
read the account in verses 26-29 where Laban tells Jacob, you tricked me and
took my daughters like captives, and did not let me throw you a going away
party or even kiss my grandchildren.
Picking up in verse thirty where Laban is telling Jacob you went over
the line and I cannot let you get by with this. “And now you have gone away
because you longed greatly for your father’s house, but why did you steal my
gods?” Jacob answered and said to Laban, “Because I was afraid, for I thought
that you would take your daughters from me by force. Anyone with whom you find your gods shall not live. In the
presence of our kinsmen point out what I have that is yours, and take it.” Now Jacob did not know that Rachel had
stolen them.”
The Scripture tells us that Laban searched the tents and
Rachel was able to hide the images from her father and then Jacob lit into
Laban. How often anger and fear
controls us, and that is not pleasing to our Lord. The apostle James moved by the Holy Spirit gives this
council, “Who is wise and understanding among
you? By his good conduct let him
show his works in the meekness of wisdom.
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do
not boast and be false to the truth.
This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly,
unspiritual, demonic. For where
jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile
practice. But the wisdom above is
first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good
fruits, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:13-17)
From the Back Porch,
Bob Rice
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