Genesis 31:1 Commentary and Bible Study

Jacob has made a very clear agreement with Laban about which animals would be his and which would be Laban’s. Although it was the case that the speckled and spotted livestock which Jacob had claimed for himself were more unusual, it turns out that this is exactly what the flocks and herds have produced. This is true in spite of Laban’s further act of trickery in removing any animals with these marking from the flock at the start of the last six-year period. Laban’s sons knew all about this because the separated livestock had been placed in their care, and they themselves had taken them three days journey away from the main flocks and herds which Jacob was managing. So in spite of their deceit and in spite of their expectation that Jacob could not prosper from this agreement, things have turned out very differently. Laban’s sons are not happy about this and since they are not men of honour, they are looking for a way to get around this agreement. It seems that they have done little to care for the livestock themselves, but they know that the family wealth is tied up with the animals. Jacob has been treated as a household servant. Jacob does not like the sound of what the sons are saying, and seems to know that they are a rough lot and there is danger for him in this situation. The way they express themselves it sounds as if Jacob has been taking advantage of their father, Laban, but that is far from the truth: evil men do not trouble to express themselves accurately, but simply to make a case in their own favour.Furthermore, Laban who had at least feigned friendliness to Jacob, could see plainly that he was on the losing side of this bargain, and so his face had lost its phoney smile. That could only mean one thing: matters were about to reach a head, and Jacob had better act quickly if he was to escape at all.