Laban And Jacob Make Peace

Genesis 31:25–55
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Laban claimed that Jacob had robbed him of his gods (v. 30) and presented himself as a hurt father (v. 28) and baffled avenger (v. 29). When Laban demanded that Jacob return the gods, Jacob put the death penalty on Rachael not knowing she had taken them (vv. 30-32). He told Laban to go ahead and search his tents which he did. Rachael sat on the gods, so he did not find them (vv. 33-35). While Laban was making this search Jacob began to get angry. For years resentments had been building up in Jacob’s heart. There is no record that up to this point he had ever vented these grudges. But now after Laban had looked through all his things and found anything, Jacob decided to give him a piece of his mind (vv. 36-42). Laban had nothing to say about the charges that Jacob had just leveled against him. He knew only too well how much he really owed to Jacob but had no intentions of admitting any wrong (v. 43). God’s warning to Laban in his dream and Jacob’s forceful defense made Laban know he was beaten. 

Everyone gathered stones and ate a meal together as a symbol of the agreement they had reached (vv. 44-45). Eating a meal together was an Eastern custom when creating a binding agreement (v. 46). The pile of stones was to be a witness to the agreement they were making (vv. 47-50). This narrative concludes with an agreement between Jacob and Laban. Just as Isaac parted ways with Abimelech by entering a covenant (Gen. 26:28-31), Jacob and Laban parted ways with a covenant. Jacob responded by calling all the people to join in building a permanent memorial to the agreement about to be made. To Laban, this pile of stones meant that neither he nor Jacob would cross this boundary mark in the future to annoy each other (vv. 51-53). It also stipulated that Jacob would not harm Laban’s daughters. Jacob arranged for a covenant meal to seal this agreement (v. 54). With this event over Laban prepared to leave. He embraced his daughters and his grandchildren and “returned to his place (v. 55). There is no more mention of Laban, and this records the last contact the patriarchs had with their homeland and relatives.

Application

Selfish interests not only harm my relationship with God but can bring divisions in our family. I must never allow anything in my life to hinder my relationship with other members of my family.