Genesis 31: 22-29: “And it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob was fled. And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven days’ journey; and they overtook him in the mount Gilead. And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad. Then Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mount: and Laban with his brethren pitched in the mount of Gilead. And Laban said to Jacob, What hast thou done, that thou hast stolen away unawares to me, and carried away my daughters, as captives taken with the sword? Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp? And hast not suffered me to kiss my sons and my daughters? thou hast now done foolishly in so doing. It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt: but the God of your father spake unto me yesternight, saying, Take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.”
Laban finally heard about Jacob’s departure and was very angry. He took his family with him and chased Jacob. This can be compared to Abraham in Genesis 14: 14 (“And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.”) It is highly unlikely that Laban had as many men as Abraham had but he was a nomadic herder and would have had men from his family, including slaves, to defend his herds. Laban was very angry because someone had taken his household gods. This was more than just a tradition, it was a belief. On top of that, Laban wanted to distribute his wealth, demonstrated by the gift of the gods, to his own choice rather than have someone take them from him. He was angry enough to chase Jacob for seven days and, no doubt, was determined to inflict injury upon him. However, God came to Laban in a dream and warned him to be careful in his dealings with Jacob and not to say anything, good or bad,to his son in law. Laban, foolishly, believed that he could do anything he wanted to Jacob but God was in control and He would not allow Laban to cause Jacob any grief. If you entrust your life to God He will give you the same protection, for ever.
(The view expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)
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