Jacob and Laban
A. F. Joscelyne, B. A. Genesis 31:1-12 And he heard the words of Laban's sons, saying, Jacob has taken away all that was our father's… I. JACOB'S ARRIVAL AND RECEPTION AT HARAN. 1. God's revelations of Himself, of His love and purposes, are incentives to action and encouragements to duty. 2. Notice the similarity and difference between Eliezer's arrival at Haran and reception by Laban, and Jacob's. (1) Both met the object of their quest as well. (2) Laban welcomed Eliezer because of his presents, and sent Rebekah away with him. He welcomed Jacob as a kinsman, but, with keen foresight that he should not be a loser, practically enslaved the heir of Isaac. II. THE LESSONS OF JACOB'S SERVITUDE AND PROSPERITY AT HARAN 1. Even a wise custom is no justification of untruth or deceit (Genesis 29:26). 2. There is a law of retribution and of compensation in life. Jacob's love for Rachel sweetened his servitude. 3. The danger of taking narrow views of life. 4. Faith is proved by patience rather than by retaliation (Genesis 30:37-43). 5. The faithfulness of God is irrespective of man's desert. III. JACOB'S FLIGHT FROM HARAN, LABAN'S PURSUIT OF HIM, AND THE COVENANT WITH WHICH THEY SEPARATED. 1. Mutual distrust produces estrangement. 2. Suspicion leads to angry accusation and recrimination. 3. The use and misuse of solemn words (vers. 47, 48). (A. F. Joscelyne, B. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And he heard the words of Laban's sons, saying, Jacob hath taken away all that was our father's; and of that which was our father's hath he gotten all this glory. WEB: He heard the words of Laban's sons, saying, "Jacob has taken away all that was our father's. From that which was our father's, has he gotten all this wealth."