Genesis 30:25-43

November 6, 2016

Lord’s Day Worship

Sean Higgins

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The sermon starts at 16:55 in the audio file.

Or, Provision for Jacob’s Household

The intensities of dysfunction were at danger levels in Jacob’s house, like trying to thread a needle when the thread and the needle are both on fire; it’s not if you’re going to get burnt but how big will the skin graft need to be. His wives envied each other into a baby race, which included Leah and Rachel giving Jacob their servants to be his wives as well. In around seven years Jacob fathered eleven sons and (at least) one daughter. This not a Brady Bunch comedy, the antics are not fun as in Cheaper by the Dozen. This was heavy duty bitterness and bartering over whose bed Jacob would sleep in.

About the same time that Rachel had her first son Jacob was finishing his bridal contract with his father-in-law. Jacob completed fourteen years of work in which he got more than he bargained for. But now that his contract was ending, his favorite wife now had a son, and Esau had to be less angry, it was a good time for Jacob to start thinking about going home.

But he had more mouths to feed than when he made the trip from Canaan to Haran and, if he left now, no provision to feed those mouths.

He approaches his uncle to announce that he’s leaving anyway because he’s tired of being under his uncle’s control and also eager to return to the land the LORD promised him. But Laban doesn’t want him to go. Jacob has been good for business. Laban suggests that if Jacob stays a little longer, then Jacob could leave without being empty-handed. He could earn something for his own household.

There are two parts to the last half of chapter 30, Brokering Another Deal (verses 25-34) and Breeding a New Flock (verses 35-43).

Brokering Another Deal (verses 25-34)

Because Rachel gave birth to Joseph about the same time as the second seven years was coming to an end, Jacob felt as if the latch unlocked on the door to his cage. As soon as Rachel had borne Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, “Send me away, that I may go to my own home and country. Give me my wives and my children for whom I have served you, that I may go, for you know the service that I have given you.” Jacob is not really asking for permission, he is telling his superior to send him away. It’s sort of his two-weeks’ notice. He puts his imperative in “Let me leave and let me have” terms because he’s living under Laban’s conditions, but he doesn’t even say “Please.” This begins a back and forth negotiation through verse 34.

Laban is not ready to let go. But Laban said to him, “If I have found favor in your sight, I have learned by divination that the LORD has blessed me because of you. Name your wages, and I will give it.” First, this has nothing to do with Laban loving his family, this is all about his finances. Second, this is patronizing. Laban doesn’t care if he’s found favor in Jacob’s eyes. Laban isn’t making a humble request in return, he’s asking Jacob to indulge him while he refuses to give a straight answer. The name your wages comment comes because he knows that his daughters were the only wage Jacob had earned in their previous contract. Another deal is required if more wages are to be paid.

Third, this was pure selfishness on Laban’s part. The ESV translates, I have learned by divination, in other words, other spirits revealed to Laban that Yahweh was responsible for the Laban’s profit by Jacob. Some have translated it, “I have learned by experience,” but experience doesn’t reveal Yahweh. I don’t have a problem thinking that Laban learned the truth through his false worship. And if he did, why did he wait till now to say so? How about a service award? How about just a “thank you”?

Jacob affirms that Laban didn’t need supernatural help to count the sheep. ”You yourself know how I have served you, and how your livestock has faired with me. For you had little before I came,[...]