Gen 31:40 | KingComments | STEP | When Laban’s search is unsuccessful, Jacob becomes angry. He defends himself and blames Laban for his selfish behavior. This would not have been necessary if he had confidently placed everything in God’s hand. The Lord Jesus is our example. He has entrusted [Himself] to Him who judges righteously ( ). If we do not live with the Lord, we will vigorously defend ourselves against false accusations. We will blame the other. Such reproaches can be justified, as here with Jacob, but our anger is mainly due to our own wounded pride. For the sake of convenience, we forget that we ourselves have not always acted correctly and have disadvantaged others. This disadvantage can be material, but also spiritual. We can say something bad about someone else to get out of it better ourselves. From what Jacob says, and what Laban does not contradict, he turns out to have been a hard worker, someone who has made a lot of effort for the sake of his not easy boss. He didn’t slack off nor deceived his boss. His great patience is also evident from the endurance of the often unjust actions of his boss Laban. He did not revolt, but was submissive to injustice (cf. ). He also had the experience that God has given him justice. Jacob speaks of God as “the God of my father, the God of Abraham”, that is the God Whom Abraham trusted. He also speaks of God as “the fear of Isaac”. At the moment Jacob says this, Isaac is still alive, and his life shows fear of God.

‏ Genesis 31:40

Jacob Blames Laban

When Laban’s search is unsuccessful, Jacob becomes angry. He defends himself and blames Laban for his selfish behavior. This would not have been necessary if he had confidently placed everything in God’s hand. The Lord Jesus is our example. He has entrusted [Himself] to Him who judges righteously (1Pet 2:23). If we do not live with the Lord, we will vigorously defend ourselves against false accusations. We will blame the other.

Such reproaches can be justified, as here with Jacob, but our anger is mainly due to our own wounded pride. For the sake of convenience, we forget that we ourselves have not always acted correctly and have disadvantaged others. This disadvantage can be material, but also spiritual. We can say something bad about someone else to get out of it better ourselves.

From what Jacob says, and what Laban does not contradict, he turns out to have been a hard worker, someone who has made a lot of effort for the sake of his not easy boss. He didn’t slack off nor deceived his boss. His great patience is also evident from the endurance of the often unjust actions of his boss Laban. He did not revolt, but was submissive to injustice (cf. 1Pet 2:18). He also had the experience that God has given him justice.

Jacob speaks of God as “the God of my father, the God of Abraham”, that is the God Whom Abraham trusted. He also speaks of God as “the fear of Isaac”. At the moment Jacob says this, Isaac is still alive, and his life shows fear of God.