311 Now Jacob heard the words of Laban's sons , saying , "Jacob has taken away all that was our father's , and from what belonged to our father he has made all this wealth ." 2 Jacob saw the attitude of Laban , and behold , it was not friendly toward him as formerly . 3 Then the Lord said to Jacob , " Return to the land of your fathers and to your relatives , and I will be with you." 4 So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to his flock in the field , 5 and said to them, " I see your father's attitude , that it is not friendly toward me as formerly , but the God of my father has been with me. 6 " You know that I have served your father with all my strength . 7 "Yet your father has cheated me and changed my wages ten times ; however, God did not allow him to hurt me. 8 "If he spoke thus , 'The speckled shall be your wages ,' then all the flock brought forth speckled ; and if he spoke thus , 'The striped shall be your wages ,' then all the flock brought forth striped .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 31:1-8
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.