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'''CHAPTER FIFTEEN: THE DECEIVER IS DECEIVED'''

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

THE DECEIVER IS DECEIVED

Jacob’s 14 years of serving Laban had ended. Yet he had very few possessions to show for it. His hard work had gone toward increasing his father-in-law’s riches, not his own.

He went to Laban and said that he wanted to take his family back to Canaan (Genesis 30:25-26).

Laban was afraid of losing such a profitable worker. He knew that his increase in wealth was due to having a God-fearing man manage his affairs. Quickly, he said to Jacob, “What can I do to make you want to stay? Name your own wages and I’ll pay it.”

“No need to pay me anything. Just allow me to pick from your flock all the speckled and spotted sheep and goats, as well as all the brown lambs. They will be my wages” (Gen 30:27-32).

Laban quickly agreed. The next day, Jacob found out why.

Laban had his sons and herdsmen take most of the speckled, spotted and brown animals Jacob had wanted. Then they took them to a place that was three days away (Gen 30:34-36). Now, instead of leaving for Canaan with a good-sized flock, Jacob would have to wait for the animals to be born.

During the next six years that Jacob tended to Laban’s sheep, a mysterious thing happened: Jacob’s flocks increased while Laban’s flocks became smaller. God was with Jacob and made him prosper.

Jacob also increased in camels, donkeys and servants (verse 43).

Laban was not pleased. He knew that Jacob would soon leave him.

Jacob Flees

One day, Jacob overheard Laban’s son complain that Jacob had taken away their father’s wealth. Hearing this, Jacob thought about how Laban no longer acted friendly toward him. He realized that Laban and his sons would grow to be angrier at him if he did not soon leave.

“But if Laban sees me leave, he might use his men to force us to stay. I’ll be in trouble if I stay and I’ll be in trouble if I try to leave.”

Then God spoke to Jacob: “Return to Canaan and bring your family with you. I will protect and guide you” (Genesis 31:1-3).

With that, Jacob set into motion a plan of escape. He waited until Laban and his men were several miles away shearing his sheep. Then Jacob, his wives, children and servants fled on camels. They took all their livestock and possessions with them.

Jacob also made sure to tell everyone in his caravan not to take anything that belonged to Laban. He did not want to give his father-in-law any excuse to come after them (Gen 31:17-18, 20).

Laban Rides in Hot Pursuit

Three days passed before Laban heard the news that Jacob had left him. Angry, he ordered his sons and servants to saddle their camels, and they raced into the wilderness in hot pursuit.

After seven days of long, hard riding through rugged countryside, they came within sight of Jacob’s campsite, which was in the mountains of Gilead. Laban decided that his men, who were tired and weak, should get a good night’s rest before swooping down on Jacob’s camp.

“He has too many possessions and women and children to be able to run away from us,” he told them.

That night, God spoke to Laban in a dream. In it, He warned him not to harm Jacob—else the Eternal would deal with him. Though Laban did not worship God, the dream made him fear God—at least for a little while (Genesis 31:22-25).

The next morning, Laban and his men entered Jacob’s camp.

“Why did you sneak away like a thief in the night?” he said to Jacob. “And why did you steal away my daughters like captives taken in war? If you had only told me that you were leaving, I would have sent you off with a great feast. Because of you, I didn’t even get a chance to kiss my daughters and grandchildren goodbye. Why have you treated me so harshly when I have treated you like a son?”

Trying not to let his fear show, Jacob said, “I left without telling you because I was afraid you would try to take your daughters away from me.”

“Why would you think such a thing? I have the power to harm you, but the God of your father warned me not to.”

“It would be wise to obey God’s warning,” said Jacob.

Laban said, “I agree. But tell me, if it was so urgent for you to journey back to Canaan, why did you feel the need to take my gods with you?” He was talking about his household idols, or carved images.

Jacob’s fear turned to boiling anger. “I do not steal idols!”

Laban took a step back. He realized he had said too much.

Jacob said, “If you think that I have your so-called ‘gods,’ then search my possessions. In fact, search the tents of everyone in my caravan— and make it quick!”

Laban searched Jacob’s tent, then Leah’s, and then the tents of Bilah and Zilpah. He did not find his idols.

Then he entered Rachel’s tent. As he searched, he noticed that Rachel was sitting on a saddlebag. He wanted to search through them, but she said, “Excuse me for not getting up, father. I am feeling weak and sickly right now.”

Her father decided to leave the saddlebags be (Gen 31:26-35).

When he left the tent, Rachel let out a soft sigh. Laban’s household idols were hidden in her saddlebags! Jacob did not know she had stolen them (Gen 31:19, 32).

Jacob’s face was burning red from anger. “Well, where are these socalled ‘gods’ you claim I have stolen from you?”

Laban was speechless.

Jacob said, “I have worked for you for 20 long years. And my hard work has fattened your tents with riches. Yet you have deceived me over and over again, and have changed my wages ten times! Why have you treated me so unfairly?”

Embarrassed, Laban knew that he was right. He could feel the stares of his sons and servants as they considered Jacob’s words.

Wanting to appear to be a fair man, Laban asked to make a covenant, or agreement, of peace with Jacob.

Jacob agreed. He set up a stone as a pillar. The other men piled some other stones to be used as a monument, or reminder, of their covenant. Then they sat down and feasted together (Gen 31:43-48).

Early the next morning, Laban kissed his daughters and grandchildren goodbye, and headed back to Haran (Gen 31:55).

Jacob was finally free.

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