Bible Commentary (1871–1879 Edition)
Jacob's Covoiant with Laban, GENESIS XXXI. Envy of Laban and his Sont.
varieties Jacob emploj'ed. The styles are of a bright red as a stigma, and deplored as a grievous calamity. Give ine clill«lren or else I die—either be reckoned as good as dead, or i)ine away from vexation. Tlie intense anxiety colour, when poeled ; and along with them he took wands of other shrubs, which, when stripped of the bark, had white streaks. These, kept constantly before the eyes of the female at the time of gestation, his observation had taught him would have an Influence, through the imagination, on the future offspring. 38. watering troughs - of Hebrew women for cliildren arose from the hope of giving; birth to tlie promised seed. Rachel's conduct was
Klnful. and contrasts unfavourably with that of Rebekah
(:i ch. 25. 22) and of Hannali (1 Samuel 1.11). 3-9. BUusually a long stone block hollowed out, from which liah, . . . Zllpali—Following tlie example of Sarah with regard to Hagar, an example which is not seldom imiseveral sheep could drink at once, but sometimes so small as to admit of one only drinking at a time.
tiited still, she adopted tlie children of her maid. Leah took the same course. A bitter and intense rivalry ex-
CHAPTER XXXI.
isted between them, all the more from their close relationship as sisters; and although they occupied separate apartments, with their families, as is the uniform custom where a plurality of wives obtains, and the husband and father spends a day with each in regular succession, that did not allay their mutual jealousies. The
Ver. 1-21. Envy of Laban and Sk)NS. I. he heard the Avords of Laban's sonsT-^It must have been from rumour that Jacob got knowledge of the invidious reflections cast upon him by his cousins; for they were separated at the distance of three days' journey. 3. And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban lit., was not the same as yesterday, and the day before ;—a common Oriental form of speech. The insinuations against Jacob's evil lies iu the system, which being a violation of God's original ordinance, cannot yield happiness. 30, Leali said, Go€l lintli endued me witli a good dowry—The birth of a son is hailed with demonstrations of joy, and the possession -of several sons confers upon the mother an honour and respectaljility proportioned to their number. Tlie husband attaches a similar importance to the possession, and it forms a bond of union which renders fidelity by Laban's sons, and the sullen reserve, the churlish conduct, of Laban himself, had made Jacob's situation. In his uncle's establishment, most trying and painful. It is always one of the vexations attendant on worldly prosperity, that it excites the envy of others it impossible for him ever to forsake or to be cold to a wife who has borne him sons. This explains the happy anticipations Leah founded on the possession of her six sons. 31. afterwartls, slie bare a daiigliter—The in-
(Ecclesiastes 4. 4); and that, however careful a man is to maintain a good conscience, he cannot always reckon on maintaining a good name, in a censorious world. This, Jacob experienced; and it is probable that, like a good man, he had asked direction and relief in prayer. 3. the Lord said, . . . Return unto tlie land of thy fathers— Notwithstanding the ill usage he had received, Jacob might not have deemed himself at liberty to quit his present sphere, under the Impulse of passionate fretfu> ness and discontent. Having been conducted to Haran by God (ch. 28.15); and having got a promise that the same heavenly Guardian would bring him again into the land of Canaan—he might have thought he ouglit not ferior value set on a daughter is displayed in the bare announcement of the birth.
Jacob's Covenaitt with Laban. 23. when riacliel had borite Joseph—Shortly after the birth of this Eon, Jacob's term of servitude expired, and feeling anxious to establish an independence for his family, he probably, from knowing that Esau was out of tlie way, announced his intention of returning to Canaan (Hebrews 13. U). In this resolution the faitli of Jacob was remarkable, for as yet he had nothing to rely on but the promise of God (cf. ch. 28. 15). • 37. Laban said ... I have learned—His to leave it, without being clearly, persuaded as to tlie path of duty. So ought we to set the Lord before us, and selfish uncle was averse to a separation, not from warmth of affection either for Jacob or his daughters, but from the damage his own interests would sustain. He had found, from long observation, that the blessing of heaven rested on Jacob, and that his stock had wonderfully increased under Jacob's management. This was a' remarkable testimony that good men are blessings to the places where they reside. Men of the world are often blessed with temporal benefits on account of their pious relatives, though they have not always, like Laban, the wisdom to discern, or the grace to acknowledge it. 38. appoint me thy wages, and I will give It—The Eastern shepherds receive for their hire not monej', but a certain amount of the increase or produce of the Hock; but Laban would at the time have done any thing to secure the continued services of his nephew, and make a show of liberality, which Jacob well knew was constrained. 31. Jacob said, Thou sholt not give me any thing— to acknowledge him In all our ways, our journeys, our settlements, and plans In life. -4. Jacob sent and called Rachel and I«ah—His wives and family Were in their usual residence; and whether he wished them to-be present at the festivities of sheep-shearing, as some think; or, because he could not leave his flock, he called them both to come to him, In order that, having resolved on immediate departure, he might communicate his intentions. Rachel and Leah only were called, for the other two wives, being secondary, and still in a stat« of servitude, were not entitled to be taken into account. Jacob acted the part of a dutiful husband in telling them his plans; for husbands, that love their wives, should consult with them, and trust in them (Proverbs 31. 11). 6. ye know that ... I have served your father—Having stated his strong grounds of dissatisfaction with their father's conduct, and the ill requital he had got for all his new agreement was made, the substance of which was, that he was to receive ren»uneration in the usual way, but on certain conditions which Jacob specified. 33. I will pa«s through all thy flock to-day—Eastern sheep being generally white, the goats black, and spotted or speckled ones comparatively few and rare, .Jacob proposed to remove all existing ones of that description from the flock, and to be content with what might appear at the next lambing time. The proposal seemed so much in favour of Laban, that he at once agreed to it. But Jacob has been accused of taking advantage of his uncle, and though It is difficult to exculpate him from practising some degree of dissimulation, he was only availing himself of the results of his great skill and experience in the breeding of cattle. But It Is evident from the next chapter (5-13), that there was something miraculous, and that the means he had employed had been suggested by a Divine Intimation. 37. Jacob took, rods, <fec.—There are many varieties of the hazel, some of which are more erect than the comraon hazel, and It was probably one of the 3 faithful services, he informed them of the blessing of God, that had made him rich notwithstanding Laban's design to ruin him; and finally, of the command from. God he had received to return to his own country, that they might not accuse him of caprice, or disaffection to their family; but be convinced, that in resolving to depart, he acted from a principle of religious obedience. 14. Rachel and Leah answered— Having heard his views, they expressed their entire approval; and from grievances of ther own, were fully as desirous of a separation as himself. They display not only conjugal afl'ectlon, but piety In following the course described—" whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do." "Those that are really their husbands' helps meet, will never be their hindrances in doing that to which God calls them." [Henky.] 17. Tlien Jacob rose up—Little time is spent by pastoral people In removing. The striking down the tents and poles, and stowing them among their other baggage; the putting their wives and children In Jiouda.!
like cradles, on the backs of camels, or In panniers on
Laban I'ursueth Jacob. GENESIS XXXII. Vision of Angela.
is difficult to " be angry and sin not." But these two rela tives, after having given utterance to their pent up feel ings, cameat length to a mutual understanding, or rather, God influenced Laban to make reconciliation with his injured nephew (Pioverbs 16.7). 44:. Come thou, let u« make a coveitant—The way in wliich this covenant waa ratified was by a heap ot stones being laid in a circular isses; and the ranging of the various parts of the flock under tlie respective sheplierds; all this is a siiort process. A plain that is covered in the morning with a long array of tents, and with browsing flocks, may, in a few hours, appear so desolate, that not a vestige of the encampment remains, except the holes in which the tentpoles had been fixed. 30. Jacob stole away—The result showed the prudence and necessity of departing secretly; otherwise, Laban might have detained him by violence or artifice. 18. lie carried the cattle of Kls getting— pile, to serve as seats, and in the centre of this circle a large one w;vs set up perpendicularly for an altar. It in probable that a sacrifice was flrst offered, and then that the feast of reconciliation was partaken of by both pari.e., his own and nothing more. He did not indemnify himself for his many losses by carrying oft' any thing of Laban's, but was cpntent with what Providence had given him. Some may think that due notice should have been given ; but when a man feels himself In danger—the law of self-preservation prescribes the duty of immediate ties seated on the stones around it. To this day heaps of stones, which have been used as memorials, are found alunidantly in the region where this transaction took phice. 53. This heap be witness—Objects of nature were frequently thus spoken of. But over and above, there was a solemn appeal to Gotl; and it is observable that there was a marked difference in tlie religious sentiments of the two. Laban spake of the God of Abraham and Nahor, their common ancestors; Init Jacob, knowing that idolatry had crept in among that branch of the family, swore by the Fear of Isaac. They who have one God should have one heart: they who are agreed In religion should endeavour to agree in every thing else.
flight, if it can be done consistently with conscience.
22-5-5. Laban Pursueth Jacob—their Covekaxt at GlLEAD. 38. It was told Labau on tile tliird day—No sooner did the intelligence reach Laban than he set out in pursuit, and he being not encumbered, advanced rapidly; whereas Jacob, with a young family and numerous flocks, had to march slowly, so that he overtook the fugitives after seven days' journey, as they lay encamped on the brow of mount Gilead, an extensive range of hills forming the eastern boundary of Canaan. Being accompanied by a number of his people, he might have used violence had he not been Divinely warned in a dream to • give no interruption to his nephew's journey. How striking and sudden a change ! For several days he had been
CHAPTEE XXXII.
Ver. 1. 2. Vision of Angels. 1. nngels of God meet him—It is not said whether this angelic manifestation was made in a vision by day, or a.droam by night. There full of rage, and was now in eager anticipation that his vengeance would be fully wreaked, when lo! his hands are tied by Invisible power (Psalm 76. 10). He durst not touch Jacob, but there was a war of words. 25-30. Laban said . . . What hast then done \—Not a word is said of the charge, v. 1. His reproaches were of a different kind. His flrst charge was for depriving him of the satisfaction of giving Jacob and his family the usual salutations at parting. In the East it is customary, when any are setting out to a great distance, for their relatives and friends
Is an evident allusion, however, to the appearance upon the ladder (cf. ch. 28. VI), and this occurring to Jacob ffu his return to Canaan, was an encouraging pledge of the continued presence and protection of God (Psalm S4.7; Hebrews 1. 14). 3. Malianaim—two hosts or camps. The place was situated between mount Gilead and the Jabbok —near the banks of that brook.
3-.'i2. Mrssn)N TO Esau. 3. Jacob sent messengers b««- fore him to Ksau i. e., had sent. It was a prudent precaution toas(;ertain the present temper of Esau, as th« to accompany them a considerable way with music and valedictory songs. Considering the past conduct of Laban, his complaint on this ground was hypocritical cant. But his second charge was a grave one—the carrying ofT his %oi\s—Hebrew, Teraphim, small images of human tigure, used not as idols or objects of worship, but as talismans, roiwl, on approaching the eastern confines of Canaan, lay near the wild district where his lirother was now established, the Innil of Seir-a highland cou Titry on the east and south of the Dead .Sea, inhabited by the Horitcs, who were dispo.ssessed by Esau, or his posterity (Deuteronomy
11. 12). When, and in what circumstances he had emigrated thither—whether the separation arose out of the undutiful conduct and idolatrous hal>lts of his wives, which had made them unwelcome inmates in the tent of his parents, or whether his roving disposition had sought a country from his love of adventure and the chase, he was living in a state of power and affluence, and this settlement on the outer borders of Canaan, though madtj of his own free-will—was overruled by Provi<U'nce to p.ave the way for Jacob's return to the promised land. 4. TIkus sltall ye speak unto my lord Esau—The purport of the message was that, after a residence of twenty years in Mesopotamia, ho was now returning to his native land—that he did not need,any thing, for he had abundance of piustoral wealth-but that he could not pass without notifying his arrival to his brother, and paying the homage of his respectful obeisance. Acts of civility tend to disarm opposition, and soften hatred (Kccleslastes for superstitious purposes. 31, 32. Jacob said, . . . With whomsoever thon ftndeth thy gotls let htm not live Con.scious of his own innocence, and little suspecting the misdeed of his favourite wife, he boldly challenged a search, and denounced the heaviest penalty on the culprit. A personal scrutiny was made by Laban, who examined every tent; and having entered Rachel's la.st, would have infallibly discovered the stolen im.nges ha<l not Rachel made an appeal to him which prevented further search. 34. Rachel had taken tlie lnia|;es, and put them In the camel's furniture, and sat ui>on tlirm —The common pack-.saddle is often used as a seat or a cushion, against which a person s<iuatted on the floor may lean. 3fl, 37. Jacob was wroth—Recrimination on his part was natural In the circumstances, and, as usual, When pa-sslon Is high, the charges took a wide range. He rapidly enumerated his grievances for twenty years, and in a tone of unrestrained severity described the niggard charactej" and vexatious exactions of his uncle, together witli tlie hardships of various kinds he had patiently endured. 3^. The rams of thy flock have I not eaten Kastern people seldom kill the fcmitles for food e.xcept they are barren. 39. That which wn« torn of beasts I "broufht not nnto thee—The shepherds are strictly re-
10. 4). Thy servant Jacob—He had been nuide lord over his brethren (cf. ch. 27. 29). But it Is probable he thought this referred to a spiritual superiority; or if to temporal, that it was to be realized only to his posterity. At all events, leaving It to God to fulfil that purpo,se, he deemed
It prudent to assume the most kind and respectful l)eaT-
Ing. 0. The messenger* returned to Jacoli—Their report left Jacob In painful uncertainty as to what was hin brother's views and feelings. Esau's studied reserve gave him reason to dread the worst. Jacob was natumlly timid; but his conscience told him that there was much ground for apprehension, and his distress was all the more aggravated that he had to provide for the safety of a large and helpless family. 9-12. Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham—In this great emergency, he liai!
sponsible for losses in the flock, unless they can prove these were occaslone<l by wild beasts. 40. In the day the droujht . . . and the ft-ost by night—The temperature changes often In twenty-four hours from the greatest exititomcw of heat and colil, most trying to the shepherd who •has to keep watcli by his flocks. Much allowance must be made for Jacob. Groat and long-continued provocations ruflle the mildest and most diMclpIlned tempers. It 31