![]() ![]() They recognized they had simply been used as tokens of commerce, traded for years of Jacob’s hard work. Jacob spoke with his wives, and they were fully on board, having seen their father’s business dealings. ![]() It would have been easy for Jacob to make excuses, to continue in the uncomfortable place with his father-in-law out of fear for the future. And to return to his relatives? Except for his aging father, the only relative he had left was Esau, and the last time they spoke, Esau was plotting to kill him. Immediately, Jacob would have thought of the reasons why he shouldn’t leave. Genesis 31:3 – Then the Lord said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you.” Finally, God confirmed what he already knew in his heart. He had seen Laban’s attitude grow distant and more hostile. I’m sure this idea marinated in his heart and mind for some time, but it came to a head when he heard his brothers-in-law complaining to one another about him. Jacob knew Laban’s favor on him was ending, and it was time for these two large families to separate. In this way, his wealth and possessions grew to the point Laban’s sons were jealous. Jacob was still a bit of a schemer, so he manipulated things so that the stronger flocks bore speckled and spotted, while the weaker bore Laban’s part. In this way, there would be no doubt it eliminated any conflict over who owned what. At his suggestion, he and Laban had agreed that the spotted and speckled goats would belong to him, along with the black sheep. He was more of a servant than a son-in-law. Jacob had served fourteen years for his two wives, and six years for the flocks and herds which became his wages. While I am sure they had shared some happy times together, for the most part, scripture seems to indicate the relationship had been more of a business deal. He has been a part of his father-in-law’s family for twenty years. ![]() In Genesis 31, Jacob faces just such a dilemma. Do you ever question God’s timing? Has God ever impressed upon your heart that it was time to act on a decision you’d been putting off? Perhaps you’d been reluctant because you weren’t quite ready to deal with the negative effects that may result?
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