OVERCOMING THE DYSFUNCTIONS OF ISRAEL’S PATRIARCHS

XVII. Trusting God’s Protection From Hostile Relatives

(Genesis 31:19-55)

I. Introduction

A. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Israel’s patriarchs and their respective wives and families, though blessed of God, were imperfect people who at times made huge mistakes that led to serious marital and family dysfunction.

B. Thankfully, Romans 15:4 states that we can learn from whatsoever things were written in the Old Testament for our edification, and that includes our learning how to overcome the dysfunctions of Israel’s patriarchs.

C. We view Genesis 31:19-55 on trusting God’s protection from hostile relatives for our insight and application:

II. Trusting God’s Protection From Hostile Relatives, Genesis 31:19-55.

A. Jacob believed that asking Laban for permission to return to Canaan with his family and herds was a bad idea:

1. Jacob had heard that Laban’s sons had complained that he had taken away all that had belonged to their father’s herds, and he had observed that Laban’s attitude toward him was no longer friendly, Gen. 31:1-2.

2. When God had then told Jacob to return to the land of his fathers with God’s blessing, Jacob privately called Laban’s daughters, his two wives, out to the field to see if they were willing to return with him to Canaan, Genesis 31:3-13. He was clearly fearful of letting Laban know of his desire to move to Canaan.

3. Since Laban had spent their inheritance, Leah and Rachel sided with Jacob, desiring to go with him to Canaan, so Jacob secretly left with his wives, children and herds without contacting Laban, Genesis 31:14-16. God had directed Jacob to return to Canaan, so he relied on the Lord to handle what threat Laban might be to him and started to head back to Canaan, Genesis 31:17-18.

B. Laban had left to shear his sheep, so it was three days before he learned that Jacob had fled from him with his daughters and grandchildren and herds that Jacob had gained from Laban, Genesis 31:19-22.

C. Obviously angry, Laban took his relatives with him and they quickly pursued Jacob and overtook him with all of his herds and family at Mount Gilead in what was later northern Israel, Genesis 31:23.

D. However, the Lord had come to Laban in a night dream, warning him not to speak to Jacob “either good or bad,” what likely referred to “Laban’s speaking to Jacob about returning to Haran or about any claims Laban may have thought he had to Jacob’s possessions or family,” Ryrie Study Bible, KJV, 1978, ftn. to Gen. 31:29.

E. When Laban met Jacob, he complained about Jacob’s stealing away, carrying off his daughters as if they were captives taken by the sword instead of Laban’s hosting a farewell celebration with joy and allowing Laban to kiss his grandchildren farewell, Genesis 31:24-28.

F. Laban added that it was in his human power to harm Jacob, but that the Lord had spoken to him, warning him not to speak to Jacob either good or bad lest Laban suffer divine punishment, Genesis 31:29.

G. Furthermore, and of far greater concern to Laban, was his belief that Jacob had stolen his “images,” what are called teraphim in Hebrew. These were small figurines of female deities that may have guaranteed Jacob’s right to Laban’s estate when he died, Genesis 31:30; Ryrie, op. cit., ftn. to Gen. 31:19.

H. Jacob answered that he had fled out of fear that Laban might take his daughters away from Jacob by force, Genesis 31:31. As for Laban’s teraphim, Jacob said that anyone in his group who had stolen them would not be allowed to live, for he was unaware that Rachel had taken them with the possible intent of trying to seize her father’s estate when he died, Genesis 31:32.

I. Laban searched diligently for his images, but he could not find them since Rachel sat on them in the baggage on her camel, and she refused to get up from her camel, claiming she was menstruating, Genesis 31:33-35.

J. Jacob then expressed his anger at Laban, complaining about his apparent false claim of seizing Laban’s images and voicing his annoyance at Laban’s injustices to him over the last 20 years, Genesis 31:36-42.

K. Laban countered by claiming that Jacob’s wives, children and livestock actually belonged to him, but he was powerless to do anything about it due most likely to God’s warning not to harm Jacob, Genesis 31:43.

L. Thus, the two men made a covenant that Laban and Jacob would permanently separate from each other, with Laban staying north of that spot from Jacob and Jacob staying south of that spot from Laban, Genesis 31:44.

M. After forming this covenant, Laban kissed his sons and daughters and returned to Haran, Genesis 31:45-55.

Lesson: God protected the vulnerable Jacob from his hostile relative Laban to fulfill His Abrahamic Covenant.

Application: If we face hostile relatives that we are unable to handle, may we trust the Lord to fulfill His plans for our lives and thus to protect us to the extent that God’s will might be done in our lives.