Genesis 31:19-55

Laban was an unrighteous man. He proved it time after time. He treated Jacob wrongly from the beginning. He deceived Jacob, and cheated him out of seven years labor when he switched Leah for Rachel on the first wedding night. He changed the terms of Jacobs’s wages 10 times in six years. He was not in a right relationship with the God of Abraham. He had his own pretend gods. He was greedy. He kept his daughters’ share of the wedding price.

When God told him to leave, Jacob snuck off and fled with all that he had. He was afraid that if Laban knew he was leaving he would force him to leave without his family, servants or any possessions. Sometimes fear is irrational, and sometimes it is irrational not to be afraid. Jacob had good reason to be afraid. Even though Jacob had become wealthy, Laban was still wealthier and more powerful. As soon as he discovered Jacob was gone, Laban gave chase. He was not hurrying after Jacob to say goodbye. He was going to take everything back. Only one thing stopped him. He was stopped by a warning. The warning came from the God of Abraham. God warned him not to have any disagreement with Jacob.

Laban was not a godly man; however he was a God recognizing man. Earlier he recognized that God was blessing him because of Jacob’s labor. Laban’s sons blamed Jacob for the change of fortune that resulted from the six year wage agreements. Laban had to know God was at work. Now we discover that Laban is also a God fearer. He is afraid to take action knowing Jacob is under God’s protection.

God had so clearly worked in the life of Jacob that Laban recognized him. God had so powerfully worked in Jacob is life that Laban feared him. God had so faithfully worked in Jacob’s life that Laban believed him. Jacob was safe from Laban not because of who Jacob was. Jacob was safe because of who his God was. We’re not safe because of who we are. We are safe because of who’s we are.