Year 7, Day 30: Genesis 31

Theological Commentary: Click Here

We continue in our study of humanity and its sinfulness.  As Jacob becomes prosperous, Laban’s men become jealous.  They see Laban’s wealth diminishing while Jacob’s wealth grows.  They begin to be worried about themselves.  After all, Laban was their meal ticket.  He paid them, fed them, and cared for them.  He was their ability to care for their families.  If Laban’s wealth dwindled, their families would feel it, too.

Jacob decides to get out of Dodge as quickly as possible.  H talks to His wives about leaving.  When he does, we get a fabulous glimpse of why all of this is happening in the first place.  I love the honesty in the response of the women.  They ask what inheritance they now have with Laban.  After all, he’s already sold them as evidenced by making Jacob work for him as their price!

One of the fundamental qualities about human beings is that our nature is to learn from the actions of others.  Think about the last five or so days of our study.  What have we learned about Jacob?  Rachel taught him how to lie and cheat and make his life the best it can be at the expense of others.  Jacob learned how to be the way he was because of the people in his life.

How did Rachel learn to be manipulative, think only about herself, and be willing to use others to get what she wants?  She learned it from her dad, who did the exact same thing to her.  Jacob wanted Rachel, Laban sold Rachel to Jacob for the price of years of free labor.

Take a look at Leah.  Where did Leah learn to use her slave for her own benefit?  She learned that from Rachel.  She was content with life until Rachel got the better of her and got the upper hand.

Where did Jacob learn to cheat Laban out of his flock?  I remember Laban cheating Jacob out of seven years of hard work and giving him Leah instead of Rachel!  How did Rachel learn to steal the family gods?  She saw stealing modeled in her own home.  In every example we have, there is a pattern of learned behavior.  The sins of one generation is being passed on quite efficiently into the next generation.

Again, though, God shows us a better way.  Amidst all the generational sin at play in this chapter, look how it ends.  Laban comes to Jacob and peace is found.  Laban comes to Jacob and chooses the better way.  More importantly, look at what has to happen in order for this to be true.  Laban has to humble himself and be willing to listen to God.  There’s the secret.  When we are willing to be humble and listen, God can triumph over our human sinfulness.

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