Genesis 31

Jacob leaves Padan Aram (vs. 1-18)—Jacob’s prosperity caused envy among Laban and his sons; in verse 1, the sons complained, ”’Jacob has taken away all that was our father's, and from what was our father's he has acquired all this wealth,’" which was just as false as it could be, of course. But, wealth and prosperity—others—will do that to a lot of people. In verse 3, God tells Jacob to return home. The patriarch explained all of what had happened to his wives Rachel and Leah (vs. 4-13), and they agreed that he should leave and that they would go with him. They weren’t very happy with their father, either: “’Are we not considered strangers by him? For he has sold us, and also completely consumed our money’” (v. 15). So Jacob gathered all his belongings and headed for the “land of [his] fathers” and the Lord had instructed him (v. 3).

Laban pursues Jacob (vs. 19-24)—Jacob didn’t tell Laban that he was leaving, for reasons he explains later in the chapter. This probably wasn’t very wise, because he had to know his father-in-law would pursue him. He certainly wouldn’t be able to move very quickly, given the amount of livestock he had. Sure enough, Laban heard, three days later, that Jacob had left, and went after him. And may have had some evil intent in mind because God appeared to him in a dream and said “’Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad’" (v. 24). So Laban was restrained from any harm he might have contemplated. One important thing this section also says is that “Rachel had stolen the household idols that were her father's” (v. 19). Whether she did it just out of spite or whether she still had some idolatry in her isn’t stated, but that Jacob did have some idolaters in his entourage is indicated in a later chapter, so it’s probable that Rachel, having grown up in that atmosphere, didn’t have it completely washed out of her yet.

Jacob and Laban meet (vs. 25-55)—Laban rebukes Jacob for having left unannounced, and it’s hard to believe some of what he says. For example, v. 27: “’For I might have sent you away with joy and songs, with timbrel and harp?’” Probably not. His main concern, however, seemed to be his missing household gods (v. 30) and he wants them back. Jacob explains that he left because he “’was afraid, for I said, “Perhaps you would take your daughters from me by force”’” (v. 31), and pleads innocence regarding the idols that had been stolen: “’With whomever you find your gods, do not let him live’” (v. 32). Oops. “Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them” (v. 33).

Laban searches, but doesn’t find the gods because Rachel stuffs them under a camel’s saddle, sits on the saddle, and then doesn’t arise when her father enters her tent, pleading “’the manner of women is with me’" (v. 35). Slick. Laban doesn’t find his gods, of course, and Jacob, angry, unloads on Laban, fairly stating what had really happened, i.e., that he worked for what he had and “’unless the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. God has seen my affliction and the labor of my hands, and rebuked you last night’" (v. 42), which is almost certainly true. Laban tries to save face with a bald-faced lie: “’These daughters are my daughters, and these children are my children, and this flock is my flock; all that you see is mine. But what can I do this day to these my daughters or to their children whom they have borne?’” (v. 43). When we first meet Laban back in Genesis 24, his character is admirable and favorable. By the time this chapter is over, it’s hard not to loathe the man. Jacob and Laban then make a covenant, setting up a pillar as an agreement that “I will not pass beyond this heap to you, and you will not pass beyond this heap and this pillar to me, for harm” (v. 53). Laban left the next morning (v. 55), and as far as we know, Jacob never saw him again. And was probably very happy about it.