창세기 Chapter 31

Translation: ESV

1

Now 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.'

Key Message

Even human jealousy and hostility can serve as God's instrument to move his people toward their appointed destination.

▸Laban's sons accuse Jacob of taking what was rightfully their father's.

Laban's sons accuse Jacob of taking what was rightfully their father's. They interpret Jacob's honestly earned prosperity as theft. This jealousy is, in God's providence, the signal that it is time for Jacob to leave. Human envy becomes the instrument of divine direction.

Related Verses

Thus the man increased greatly and had large flocks, female servants and male servants, and camels and donkeys.
2

And Jacob saw that Laban did not regard him with favor as before.

Key Message

When human relationships change, God opens a new path.

▸Jacob reads Laban's countenance and perceives the change in attitude.

3

Then the LORD said to Jacob, 'Return to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you.'

Key Message

God's promise of companionship holds throughout Jacob's entire journey.

▸God speaks directly to Jacob and commands his return.

7

'Yet your father has cheated me and changed my wages ten times. But God did not permit him to harm me.'

Key Message

When people seek to harm God's servants, God restrains them and protects what he has promised.

▸Jacob recounts to his wives that Laban changed his wages ten times — a pattern of deliberate exploitation.

13

'I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and made a vow to me. Now arise, go out from this land and return to the land of your kindred.'

Key Message

God remembers the vows we make to him and calls us to fulfill them.

▸God identifies himself as 'the God of Bethel' — tying his command to return to Jacob's original encounter and vow.

24

But God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream by night and said to him, 'Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.'

Key Message

God is the universal sovereign who appears even to pagans to protect his people.

▸God intervenes by appearing to the pagan Laban in a dream and warning him not to harm Jacob.

42

'If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been on my side, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. God saw my affliction and the labor of my hands and rebuked you last night.'

Key Message

God sees every tear and every act of faithful labor; he will always vindicate those who suffer unjustly.

▸Jacob offers a magnificent summary of his twenty years: without God, he would have been sent away with nothing.

49

and Mizpah, for he said, 'The LORD watch between you and me, when we are out of one another's sight.'

Key Message

When people are separated and cannot watch one another, God sees all and keeps covenant faithful.

▸Mizpah means 'watchtower' — a place of lookout.