[And He Walks With Me] Genesis 31

1-2        Jacob did everything he could to operate with integrity (see note on 30:37-40). Yet, Laban’s sons began to complain, and Laban’s own attitude toward [Jacob] was not the same. That is, instead of wanting Jacob around for the blessing, Laban and his sons came to believe Jacob was stealing from them. It was an absurd accusation, but envy warps our perception of other people and events.

6-7        There is no biblical record of how Laban changed [Jacob’s] wages ten times. We have record only of the time when he gave Leah rather than Rachel to be Jacob’s wife (29:13-30) and then demanded Jacob work another seven years for Rachel, and the time he agreed to give Jacob the spotted, streaked, and speckled sheep and goats but then separated them all from the flock and disappeared with them. It could be that Jacob’s statement here is hyperbole, but given these bona fide incidents of cheating, it is not difficult to believe that Laban was constantly amending their agreement to his own advantage.

14-16        Rachel and Leah also observed Laban’s behavior and God’s blessing and Laban’s rejection.

19        It is unclear why Rachel stole Laban’s household gods. She may have thought these small portable idols would protect and bless her or desired a tangible object to worship.^[68] Typically, however, women transferred their loyalty and worship to their husbands’ gods.^[69] Alternatively, she may have longed for some reminder of home or just wanted to strike back at her father for his manipulation and deceit.

20-21        The term translated deceived by the CSB is literally rendered “he stole the heart of” (see CSB footnote). It is important to note that it is the same word translated stole in verse 19, but according to New Nave’s Topical Bible, it is not as much about deception or theft as much as it is to “take by stealth (for good purpose).” Therefore, Jacob’s action was not the same as Rachel’s. Other translations do a better job conveying this idea. E.g., the RSV renders the term outwitted, and the NKJV reads stole away, unknown to Laban. It is important to notice that Jacob was not aiming to deceive or cheat Laban. He simply knew that, if Laban realized Jacob was taking his family and things and leaving, Laban likely would have tried to stop him, or at least cheat him one more time.

25-30        In 30:27-28, Laban demonstrated some narcissistic behaviors. Now, his narcissism is on full display. He blame shifts, accusing Jacob of deceiving him when he was the one deceiving. He accuses Jacob of things he did not do (e.g., taken my daughters away like prisoners of war). He gaslights, insisting he would have sent [Jacob] away with joy and singing rather than the badmouthing and sidelong glances described in vss 1-2 and suggesting Jacob misinterpreted the situation. He heaps on the guilt by lamenting the inability to kiss [his] grandchildren and [his] daughters. He tries to get Jacob to question himself and his decisions by saying you have acted foolishly. Typically, women transferred their loyalty and worship to their husbands’ gods. Therefore, it is interesting that . And he threatens to harm Jacob. Notice also the use of you, me, and my. Laban clearly presents this as a case of Jacob betraying him.

31-32        Again, Jacob’s innocence in all this is emphasized. He is playing the upright, honest person, and he was not held accountable for what Rachel did without his knowing.

36-42        Jacob’s record of hard work, productivity, and integrity are here recounted. Jacob, however, does not merely claim to have done these things. He points out that Laban’s actions toward him corroborate his claims, and God himself has vindicated him through Laban’s dream (see vs 24). On the contrary, he observes that Laban has been the one causing problems.

[68] NIV Study Bible 2011, Genesis 31:19

[69] Keener and Walton 2016, Genesis 31:19