Genesis 31: Understanding Laban

Always looking for the advantage

Welcome to the Daily Bible Chapter. My name is James Leroy Wilson and I invite you to join me as we discover new insights and new perspectives from a very old book.

GENESIS 31

I’ve been reading from Young’s Literal Translation (YLT) and the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

Jacob seems to represent one who is blessed by following the LORD. Although they come from the same extended family, Laban doesn’t really follow the LORD but has become reliant on Jacob. That’s probably a reason he deceived Jacob on the wedding night, replacing Rachel with Leah. And it’s why he asked Jacob to stay years after Joseph’s obligations to him had ended. Laban thought he could profit with Jacob as manager of his flocks.

Instead, it was Jacob who profited, and Laban’s daughters believe he squandered their inheritance. That’s probably why Rachel stole Laban’s “household gods;” she wanted something of value from him after he had taken advantage of Jacob.

I do believe Jacob was ethical in his dealings with Laban up until he feared for his own life. He was, in letter if not in spirit, loyal to a man he didn’t even trust.

But I’m wondering if Laban’s own deceitful dealings with Jacob are a model of how many…