Finally, Jacob steps up. Finally in this chapter, he becomes a man who publicly recognises the goodness of God in his life, and publicly honours God. Before his wives, he acknowledges that it is God who has made him prosper.

Things move quickly after this. The situation between Jacob and Laban’s family is becoming increasingly tense. God has told Jacob to go back to Canaan and at last, twenty years after he set off to find himself a wife, Jacob is preparing to return to the land God has promised to Abraham’s descendants. It is as though Jacob is getting back with the plan at last.

We have seen throughout Jacob’s time with Laban that the relationship between them was difficult. Laban’s behaviour has been appalling, and Jacob has hardly been a fine example of a righteous man. Laban’s daughters make their choice though, rejecting their father’s household in favour of Jacob’s, and turning their backs on him for good. Rachel feels so annoyed at the way Laban has behaved that she unwisely steals his household gods.

By the time Laban catches up with Jacob, both men feel justified in being angry. The prospect of battle between them must have been real, as God appeared to Laban to warn him before he met Jacob. There is some talk, and going over old ground, but there is no realistic way to solve the problems between them. What is done, is done. In the end, the best that the two men can agree to is to stay out of each others’ way, and to trust to God to keep an eye on each other.

There would be no reconciliation between Laban and Jacob, but there could be a truce, and there could be peace. The two men agreed to disagree, and each went to his own place, and to his own people, leaving it up to God to make sure the other kept their side of the bargain. God is the truest arbiter and the most righteous judge. He knows the heart of every man. If we find ourselves in an impossible place we, like Jacob and Laban, can hand it over to God.

next devotional >>

 

 

NEWBOLD COMMUNITY CHURCH