Genesis 31:1-35

November 13, 2016

Lord’s Day Worship

Sean Higgins

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The sermon starts at 18:50 in the audio file.

Or, When the Putter-On Acts Put Upon

To be “put-upon” is to be used, taken advantage of, exploited, victimized. For the last two chapters of Genesis Jacob has been put-upon again and again. He has been the victim of deceit, which he sort of deserved as a consequence of his own deception, though the LORD protected him from being completely devastated, which he didn’t deserve but got because of God’s grace. The LORD even started to cause Jacob to prosper, with sons and “large flocks, female servants and male servants, and camels and donkeys” (30:43). But his blessings were starting to make the in-laws bitter, and the one who’s been doing the victimizing whines like he’s the victim. It’s common for the putter-on to act put-upon.

It’s a long story, taking fifty-five verses in Genesis 31. As the ESV breaks it up there are ten paragraphs. The main character in the first three is Jacob: “Now Jacob” (v.1), “So Jacob” (v.4), “So Jacob” (v.17). Then there are three with Laban: “When…Laban” (v.22), “And Laban” (v.25), “So Laban” (v.33). The last three are also Laban: “Then Laban” (v.43), “Then Laban” (v.51), “[And] Laban” (v.55). Right before that is one with Jacob: “Then Jacob” (v.36), a response to Laban’s confrontation. Let’s look at the first two today, Jacob’s Steals Away (verses 1-21) and Laban Runs After (verses 22-35).

Jacob Steals Away (verses 1-21)

Jacob had started to think about returning to his homeland after Joseph was born (30:25). But at least six years have passed since then.

His Reasons (verses 1-3)

There are three reasons in as many verses that caused Jacob to think that now was the time to go home.

First, Jacob heard that the sons of Laban were saying, “Jacob has taken all that was our father’s, and from what was our father’s he has gained all this wealth” (verse 1). This is maybe a quarter true. Jacob didn’t have anything when he arrived twenty years ago. His increase did come because of his service to Laban. But it was all earned as part of a contract. Jacob had been working for his wages which were paid out of Laban’s possessions. The sons, however, were bitter and would have voted for more wealth for themselves without more work for themselves. They saw their father’s holdings, their future holdings, going to someone else.

Second, Jacob saw that Laban did not regard him with favor as before (verse 2). A better translation would be, “the face of Laban was not with him.” That is, Laban didn’t put on a happy face for Jacob anymore. Laban never fully trusted Jacob or treated him with full-hearted favor, but at least he masked his selfishness. Now the mask was off and Jacob was a persona non grata, a person not pleasing.

Third, and most decisive, Then the LORD said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you” (verse 3). God’s word made leaving an obedience issue not a wisdom call. Along with the command was a promise, that the LORD would be with Jacob, which makes his way of leaving unnecessary, and possibly detrimental.

His Persuasion (verses 4-16)

Jacob wants to go home with what is his, not all by himself, empty-handed like he had left. But what would his family say, in particular his wives for whom Paddan-aram was home?

So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Lean into the field where his flock was in order to sound them out away from eavesdropping ears. Maybe they wouldn’t be favorable, or maybe Laban’s servants would overhear and run to tell their boss.

Next Jacob gives them a long speech to persuade them in verses 5-13.

I see that your father does not regard me with favor as he did before. But the God of my father has been with me. You know that I have served your father with all my strength, yet your father has cheated me and changed my wages ten times. But God did not permit him to harm [...]