I’m not sure where to begin, there is so much happening in this chapter. Jacob, after receiving a dream from God, packs up his wives and children and leaves Laban to return to Canaan and his father Isaac. This wasn’t a small feat, since he now had 11 children and hundreds or thousands of animals. Laban, once he figures out Jacob has fled, pursues Jacob and catches up to him part-way.
“Then Laban said to Jacob, ‘Why did you run off secretly and deceive me? You didn’t even let me kiss my grandchildren and my daughters goodbye. You have done a foolish thing. I have the power to harm you; but last night the God of your father said to me, “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.” Now you have gone off because you longed to return to your father’s household. But why did you steal my gods?’ Jacob answered Laban, ‘I was afraid, because I thought you would take your daughters away from me by force. But if you find anyone who has your gods, that person shall not live. In the presence of our relatives, see for yourself whether there is anything of yours here with me; and if so, take it.’ Now Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the gods.” (v26-32 abr)
Laban doesn’t actually find the gods that Rachel stole (she was sitting on them and made an excuse not to get up).
Once Jacob and Laban have a chance to cool down, they talk it over like adults and make an oath with God (and a pile of rocks?) as witness. “Laban said, ‘This heap is a witness between you and me today. May the Lord keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other. If you mistreat my daughters or if you take any wives besides my daughters, remember that God is a witness between you and me. I will not go past this heap to your side to harm you and that you will not go past this heap and pillar to my side to harm me. May the God of Abraham and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge between us.’ ” (v48-53a abr) Finally, Laban kisses his daughters and grandchildren goodbye and heads home to allow Jacob’s family to continue on their way.
There are many more details left out due to the length and complexity of this chapter, but the two big things to remember are Rachel’s theft of Laban’s household gods (resulting in a death sentence from Jacob), and the fact Jacob and Laban reconcile despite Jacob taking the majority of Laban’s wealth. Jacob worked 20 years for Laban (not just the original 7 he he agreed to) and because Laban kept changing the deal on him, God blessed Jacob with Laban’s wealth (deceit and treachery don’t pay off for Laban, yet somehow it works for Jacob…).
My takeaway from this is despite all the deception and trickery between Jacob and Laban, God intervenes and helps reconcile the two of them. God is a peacemaker and reconciler at heart, and longs for people to honor and respect each other, though they often need His help and prompting in order to make that happen.
Father God, praise be to You who has a heart of reconciliation. In fact, Your heart for reconciliation was so strong, that You sent Your one and only Son, who never sinned, to die on a cross for our sin, so we could be made right with You. Thank you as well for the example of Jacob and Laban – they sinned against each other, yet when they discussed their transgressions, they were able to reconcile and gain the respect of each other. May we too learn the importance and process of reconciliation in our own lives so we may be ambassadors of peacemaking. (2 Cor 5:21, Mat 18:15 par)
~ Conqueror in Training