Genesis 31:1 - Meaning and Application

Jacob now decided at once to leave his uncle’s service, take his possessions, and return to Canaan. He made this decision for a good reason, under God’s direction, and with his wives’ agreement. Laban’s family had become hostile toward him, so he could no longer stay there with peace or safety.

Laban’s sons showed their anger in what they said. It seems they said it where Jacob could hear them, on purpose to upset him. The last chapter began with Rachel envying Leah, and this one begins with Laban’s sons envying Jacob. They greatly praised Jacob’s success, saying, “He has gained all this glory.” Yet the “glory” they meant was only some sheep, goats, camels, and donkeys. Worldly wealth looks wonderful to people who love earthly things, but it has no true glory compared with the glory of heavenly things. When people value money too highly, that mistake lies behind greed, envy, and every sort of evil.

They also wrongly accused Jacob of taking what belonged to their father. That was not true, at least not in the way they meant it. They were speaking unfairly, as people often do when jealousy rules their hearts. A good conscience does not always protect a person’s name. One of the troubles that comes with outward success is that it makes a person a target for envy. Whomever God blesses, others may curse.

Laban himself said little, but his face no longer showed kindness toward Jacob. Jacob noticed this, and he could not ignore it. Laban had always been a hard man, but now he was even more unpleasant than before. Envy often shows itself in a person’s face, which is why Scripture speaks of an evil eye (Proverbs 23:6). Sour looks can do much to ruin peace and love in a family. Laban’s angry face cost him the greatest blessing his household ever had, and justly so.

Jacob also had divine direction. The Lord told him, “Return, and I will be with you” (Genesis 31:3). Though Jacob had been badly treated there, he did not leave until God told him to. He had come there by heaven’s command, and he would stay until God sent him back. It is our duty to place ourselves under God’s guidance, both when we go out and when we come in.

Jacob later explained this direction to his wives more fully (Genesis 31:10-13). He told them about a dream in which the angel of God noticed his thoughts and taught him what was happening. This was not luck, and it was not Jacob’s own cleverness. It was God’s providence, because God had seen all that Laban had done to him and was repaying him fairly. God’s ways of giving justice are deeper than we often realize, and by them injured people are truly repaid, even if they do not notice it right away.

Jacob’s increase was also tied to God’s promise. God said, “I am the God of Beth-el,” the place where the covenant had been renewed with him. Worldly success is much sweeter when we can see that it comes from covenant love, that is, from God keeping the promises he made to his people. Jacob was still told to return, even with this hopeful prospect of wealth, because the world was not his home. When life starts to smile on us, we should remember that we are still pilgrims.

He was told to arise and return, first to his worship in Canaan. He had likely neglected those sacred duties while living with Laban. The years of service had passed, but now it was time to go back to the place where he had set up the pillar and made his vow. As prosperity increased, it was time to think again of the altar and sacrifices. He was also to return to the land of his kindred. He lived among relatives in Haran, but Canaan was the land that belonged to the covenant people. Those who inherit Canaan should never think they are fully home until they reach it.

Jacob also acted with the knowledge and consent of his wives. He called Rachel and Leah to meet him in the field, so he could speak with them privately. Husbands who love their wives should share their plans with them. Where there is real affection, there should also be trust. A wise wife helps her husband trust her heart (Proverbs 31:11).

Jacob told them first how faithfully he had served their father. If others fail to do right by us, we can still have the comfort of knowing we did our duty. He then explained how unfairly their father had treated him. Laban never kept to the agreement he made. Each time Jacob’s wages were supposed to be fixed, Laban changed them whenever he saw God favoring Jacob’s flocks. He did this again and again, as if he could outsmart both Jacob and God’s providence. People who act honestly are not always treated honestly by others.

Jacob also told them how God had protected and provided for him anyway. God kept Laban from harming him. Those who stay close to God are kept safe by him. God also gave Jacob plenty, even though Laban intended to ruin him. In this way, Jacob’s prosperity came from God, who took away the cattle of their father and gave them to Jacob.

In this way, the righteous God paid Jacob for his hard work out of Laban’s own wealth. Later, he did the same for the descendants of Jacob when he gave them the Egyptians’ spoil. God is never unjust, even if people forget the work and loving service of his people, as Hebrews 6:10 says. Providence can make honest gains come from plans that were not honest at the start. The wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous (Proverbs 13:22).

Jacob also told his wives that God had commanded him in a dream to return to his own land (Genesis 31:13). He said this so they would not think his decision came from restlessness or dislike for their country or family. He wanted them to see that he was acting in obedience to his God and trusting him for the future.

His wives gladly agreed with his plan. They also spoke of their own hurt, saying that their father had treated them not only badly, but unfairly too (Genesis 31:14-16). He had treated them like strangers and shown no natural love for them. Jacob saw the wealth God had moved from Laban to him as wages for his labor, while they saw it as their share of the family inheritance. In both ways, God made Laban pay what he owed, both to his servant and to his daughters.

It seems they had grown tired of their father’s house and their own people, and could easily let go of them. We should make good use of the unkind treatment we receive from the world. It should loosen our grip on it and make us more ready to leave it, and more eager to be at home with God. They were also willing to go with their husband and place themselves under God’s direction with him: “Do whatever God has told you.” Wives who truly help their husbands will never stand in the way when God calls them to act.