311 Now it came to the ears of Jacob that Laban's sons were saying, Jacob has taken away all our father's property, and in this way he has got all this wealth. 2 And Jacob saw that Laban's feeling for him was no longer what it had been before. 3 Then the Lord said to Jacob, Go back to the land of your fathers, and to your relations, and I will be with you. 4 And Jacob sent for Rachel and Leah to come to him in the field among his flock. 5 And he said to them, It is clear to me that your father's feeling is no longer what it was to me; but the God of my father has been with me 6 And you have seen how I have done all in my power for your father, 7 But your father has not kept faith with me, and ten times he has made changes in my payment; but God has kept him from doing me damage. 8 If he said, All those in the flock which have marks are to be yours, then all the flock gave birth to marked young; and if he said, All the banded ones are to be yours, then all the flock had banded young. 9 So God has taken away your father's cattle and has given them to me. 10 And at the time when the flock were with young, I saw in a dream that all the he-goats which were joined with the she-goats were banded and marked and coloured. 11 And in my dream the angel of the Lord said to me, Jacob: and I said, Here am I. 12 And he said, See how all the he-goats are banded and marked and coloured: for I have seen what Laban has done to you. 13 I am the God of Beth-el, where you put oil on the pillar and took an oath to me: now then, come out of this land and go back to the country of your birth. 14 Then Rachel and Leah said to him in answer, What part or heritage is there for us in our father's house? 15 Are we not as people from a strange country to him? for he took a price for us and now it is all used up. 16 For the wealth which God has taken from him is ours and our children's; so now, whatever God has said to you, do.
17 Then Jacob put his wives and his sons on camels; 18 And sending on before him all his cattle and his property which he had got together in Paddan-aram, he made ready to go to Isaac his father in the land of Canaan. 19 Now Laban had gone to see to the cutting of the wool of his sheep; so Rachel secretly took the images of the gods of her father's house. 20 And Jacob went away secretly, without giving news of his flight to Laban the Aramaean. 21 So he went away with all he had, and went across the River in the direction of the hill-country of Gilead.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 31:1-21
Commentary on Genesis 31:1-21
(Read Genesis 31:1-21)
The affairs of these families are related very minutely, while (what are called) the great events of states and kingdoms at that period, are not mentioned. The Bible teaches people the common duties of life, how to serve God, how to enjoy the blessings he bestows, and to do good in the various stations and duties of life. Selfish men consider themselves robbed of all that goes past them, and covetousness will even swallow up natural affection. Men's overvaluing worldly wealth is that error which is the root of covetousness, envy, and all evil. The men of the world stand in each other's way, and every one seems to be taking away from the rest; hence discontent, envy, and discord. But there are possessions that will suffice for all; happy they who seek them in the first place. In all our removals we should have respect to the command and promise of God. If He be with us, we need not fear. The perils which surround us are so many, that nothing else can really encourage our hearts. To remember favoured seasons of communion with God, is very refreshing when in difficulties; and we should often recollect our vows, that we fail not to fulfil them.