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Commentary on Genesis 31 verses 1–16
Jacob is here taking up a resolution immediately to quit his uncle's service, to take what he had and go back to Canaan. This resolution he took up upon a just provocation, by divine direction, and with the advice and consent of his wives.
I. Upon a just provocation; for Laban and his sons had become very cross and ill-natured towards him, so that he could not stay among them with safety or satisfaction.
1.Laban's sons showed their ill-will in what they said, Gen 31:1. It should seem they said it in Jacob's hearing, with a design to vex him. The last chapter began with Rachel's envying Leah; this begins with Laban's sons envying Jacob. Observe, (1.) How greatly they magnify Jacob's prosperity: He has gotten all this glory. And what was this glory that they made so much ado about? It was a parcel of brown sheep and speckled goats (and perhaps the fine colours made them seem more glorious), and some camels and asses, and such like trading; and this was all this glory. Note, Riches are glorious things in the eyes of carnal people, while to all those that are conversant with heavenly things they have no glory in comparison with the glory which excelleth. Men's over-valuing worldly wealth is that fundamental error which is the root of covetousness, envy, and all evil. (2.) How basely they reflect upon Jacob's fidelity, as if what he had he had not gotten honestly: Jacob has taken away all that was our father's. Not all, surely. What had become of those cattle which were committed to the custody of Laban's sons, and sent three days' journey off? Gen 30:35, Gen 30:36. They mean all that was committed to him; but, speaking invidiously, they express themselves thus generally. Note, [1.] Those that are ever so careful to keep a good conscience cannot always be sure of a good name. [2.] This is one of the vanities and vexations which attend outward prosperity, that it makes a man to be envied of his neighbors (Ecc 4:4), and who can stand before envy? Pro 27:4. Whom Heaven blesses hell curses, and all its children on earth.
2.Laban himself said little, but his countenance was not towards Jacob as it used to be; and Jacob could not but take notice of it, Gen 31:2, Gen 31:5. He was but a churl at the best, but now he was more churlish than formerly. Note, Envy is a sin that often appears in the countenance; hence we read of an evil eye, Pro 23:6. Sour looks may do a great deal towards the ruin of peace and love in a family, and the making of those uneasy of whose comfort we ought to be tender. Laban's angry countenance lost him the greatest blessing his family ever had, and justly.
II. By divine direction and under the convoy of a promise: The Lord said unto Jacob, Return, and I will be with thee, Gen 31:3. Though Jacob had met with very hard usage here, yet he would not quit his place till God bade him. He came thither by orders from Heaven, and there he would stay till he was ordered back. Note, It is our duty to set ourselves, and it will be our comfort to see ourselves, under God's guidance, both in our going out and in our coming in. The direction he had from Heaven is more fully related in the account he gives of it to his wives (Gen 31:10-13), where he tells them of a dream he had about the cattle, and the wonderful increase of those of his colour; and how the angel of God, in that dream (for I suppose the dream spoken of Gen 31:10 and that Gen 31:11 to be the same), took notice of the workings of his fancy in his sleep, and instructed him, so that it was not by chance, or by his own policy, that he obtained that great advantage; but, 1. by the providence of God, who had taken notice of the hardships Laban had put upon him, and took this way to recompense him: "For I have seen all the Laban doeth unto thee, and herein I have an eye to that." Note, There is more of equity in the distributions of the divine providence than we are aware of, and by them the injured are recompensed really, though perhaps insensibly. Nor was it only by the justice of providence that Jacob was thus enriched, but, 2. In performance of the promise intimated in what is said Gen 31:13, I am the God of Beth-el, This was the place where the covenant was renewed with him. Note, Worldly prosperity and success are doubly sweet and comfortable when we see them flowing, not from common providence, but from covenant-love, to perform the mercy promised - when we have them from God as the God of Beth-el, from those promises of the life which now is that belong to godliness. Jacob, even when he had this hopeful prospect of growing rich with Laban, must think of returning. When the world begins to smile upon us we must remember it is not our home. Now arise (Gen 31:13) and return, (1.) To thy devotions in Canaan, the solemnities of which had perhaps been much intermitted while he was with Laban. The times of this servitude God had winked at; but now, "Return to the place where thou anointedst the pillar and vowedst the vow. Now that thou beginnest to grow rich it is time to think of an altar and sacrifices again." (2.) To thy comforts in Canaan: Return to the land of thy kindred. He was here among his near kindred; but those only he must look upon as his kindred in the best sense, the kindred he must live and die with, to whom pertained the covenant. Note, The heirs of Canaan must never reckon themselves at home till they come thither, however they may seem to take root here.
III. With the knowledge and consent of his wives. Observe,
1.He sent for Rachel and Leah to him to the field (Gen 31:4), that he might confer with them more privately, or because one would not come to the other's apartment and he would willingly talk with them together, or because he had work to do in the field which he would not leave. Note, Husbands that love their wives will communicate their purposes and intentions to them. Where there is a mutual affection there will be a mutual confidence. And the prudence of the wife should engage the heart of her husband to trust in her, Pro 31:11. Jacob told his wives, (1.) How faithfully he had served their father, Gen 31:6. Note, If others do not do their duty to us, yet we shall have the comfort of having done ours to them. (2.) How unfaithfully their father had dealt with him Gen 31:7. He would never keep to any bargain that he made with him, but, after the first year, still as he saw Providence favour Jacob with the colour agreed on, every half year of the remaining five he changed it for some other colour, which made it ten times; as if he thought not only to deceive Jacob, but the divine Providence, which manifestly smiled upon him. Note, Those that deal honestly are not always honestly dealt with. (3.) How God had owned him notwithstanding. He had protected him from Laban's ill-will: God suffered him not to hurt me. Note, Those that keep close to God shall be kept safely by him. He had also provided plentifully for him, notwithstanding Laban's design to ruin him: God has taken away the cattle of your father, and given them to me, Gen 31:9. Thus the righteous God paid Jacob for his hard service out of Laban's estate; as afterwards he paid the seed of Jacob for their serving the Egyptians, with their spoils. Note, God is not unrighteous to forget his people's work and labour of love, though men be so, Heb 6:10. Providence has ways of making those honest in the event that are not so in their design. Note, further, The wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just, Pro 13:22. (4.) He told them of the command God had given him, in a dream, to return to his own country (Gen 31:13), that they might not suspect his resolution to arise from inconstancy, or any disaffection to their country or family, but might see it to proceed from a principle of obedience to his God, and dependence on him.
2.His wives cheerfully consented to his resolution. They also brought forward their grievances, complaining that their father had been not only unkind, but unjust, to them (Gen 31:14-16), that he looked upon them as strangers, and was without natural affection towards them; and, whereas Jacob had looked upon the wealth which God had transferred from Laban to him as his wages, they looked upon it as their portions; so that, both ways, God forced Laban to pay his debts, both to his servant and to his daughters. So then it seemed, (1.) They were weary of their own people and their father's house, and could easily forget them. Note, This good use we should make of the unkind usage we meet with from the world, we should sit the more loose to it, and be willing to leave it and desirous to be at home. (2.) They were willing to go along with their husband, and put themselves with him under the divine direction: Whatsoever God hath said unto thee do. Note, Those wives that ar their husband's meet helps will never be their hindrances in doing that to which God calls them.
(Chapter XXXI, verses 7 and 8) And your father deceived me and changed my wages ten times, and God did not allow him to harm me. If he said, 'Your wages will be the spotted flock,' then every flock was born spotted. And if he said, 'Your wages will be the solid-colored flock,' then every flock was born solid-colored. Because of this, he changed my wages ten times. The Seventy Interpreters have stated, driven by some unknown opinion, that 'moni' in the Hebrew language means 'number' rather than 'lambs.' Finally, the meaning is further confirmed by the fact that Laban always changed the condition of each offspring. If he saw mixed livestock being born, he would say after the birth, 'I want mixed offspring in the future.' Again, when he saw single-colored animals being born (because Jacob had heard this, he did not place rods in the canals), he would say that the future offspring should be of a single color for him. And what more? Laban changed the condition of his flock or Jacob up to ten times. And whatever color he had intended to be born as, it turned into the opposite color. And so that no one may think that in ten years twenty births are incredible, read Virgil (Georg. II), in which it is said:
The pregnant cattle twice. However, it is said that the nature of Italian and Mesopotamian sheep is the same.
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SUMMARY
Genesis 31:8 vividly portrays God's direct and miraculous intervention on Jacob's behalf, ensuring his prosperity and vindication despite Laban's repeated attempts to defraud him. Each time Laban changed Jacob's wages by specifying certain animal patterns—whether "speckled" or "ringstraked"—God supernaturally caused the flocks to bear offspring precisely matching those patterns, thereby guaranteeing Jacob's rightful compensation and demonstrating divine faithfulness and justice in the face of human deceit.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 31:8 presents a clear and emphatic account of God's direct intervention in the natural order to secure Jacob's rightful compensation. The verse states, "If he said thus, The speckled shall be thy wages; then all the cattle bare speckled: and if he said thus, The ringstraked shall be thy hire; then bare all the cattle ringstraked." This highlights a supernatural manipulation of animal genetics, ensuring Jacob's flocks produced exactly what Laban had designated as his payment, regardless of Laban's intent to defraud.
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. Repetition is prominent with the phrase "If he said thus... then all the cattle bare..." which occurs twice, emphasizing Laban's repeated attempts to defraud and God's consistent, matching response. This structural parallelism highlights the divine counter-action to every one of Laban's schemes. The narrative also utilizes Divine Intervention as a key plot device, where the supernatural act of God directly alters the natural course of events (animal breeding) to achieve His purposes. This underscores God's active role in the human drama. Furthermore, there is a clear Contrast between Laban's deceitful intentions and God's righteous and faithful provision, which turns Laban's attempts to diminish Jacob's wealth into the very means of his increase.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 31:8 stands as a powerful testament to God's active and sovereign involvement in the lives of His people, particularly in situations of injustice and exploitation. It illustrates that God is not a distant observer but an intimate participant who ensures His covenant promises are fulfilled and His people are vindicated. This divine intervention in the natural order of animal breeding underscores God's absolute control over creation to accomplish His purposes, transforming Laban's manipulative schemes into instruments of Jacob's blessing. It reveals God's character as a righteous judge who defends the oppressed and upholds justice, even when human systems fail.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers profound encouragement that God is intimately aware of and actively involved in our personal and professional circumstances, even when we face unfair treatment, exploitation, or deceit. It reminds us to trust in God's provision and timing, knowing that He will ultimately bring about justice for His people, just as He did for Jacob. This passage encourages perseverance and faithfulness in our work, even under difficult or unjust circumstances, because our ultimate reward and true provision come from God, not solely from human employers or systems. God will honor our labor and make things right, as He did for Jacob, a principle echoed in Colossians 3:23, which encourages us to work heartily, as unto the Lord, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
How did God supernaturally intervene in the breeding of the livestock?
Answer: The text describes a direct, miraculous intervention where the animals consistently bore offspring matching the specific patterns Laban designated as Jacob's wages. This was not due to Jacob's natural breeding techniques, which are mentioned elsewhere in Genesis 30:37-43, but God's sovereign control over creation, ensuring Jacob's rightful compensation despite Laban's deceit. The miracle lay in the consistent and overwhelming production of the desired patterns, regardless of the natural genetic odds.
Does this verse imply God will always make us prosperous in the face of injustice?
Answer: While God often blesses His faithful, this verse primarily highlights His commitment to justice and His covenant promises. It assures us of God's active involvement and care, even in unfair situations, rather than guaranteeing a specific outcome of material prosperity in every instance. Our ultimate trust is in His character and provision, which may manifest in various ways, including spiritual strength, vindication, or eventual deliverance, not solely in the immediate removal of all difficulties or a specific material gain.
What is the significance of Laban changing Jacob's wages multiple times?
Answer: Laban's repeated changing of Jacob's wages, explicitly mentioned in Genesis 31:7, underscores his deeply deceitful and exploitative character. It highlights the extent of Jacob's endurance under injustice and, more importantly, the depth of God's faithfulness. God intervened precisely because of Laban's persistent attempts to defraud Jacob, turning Laban's schemes into opportunities for Jacob's blessing and demonstrating that no human trickery can thwart God's divine plan for His people.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 31:8, with its portrayal of God's faithful provision and justice for Jacob against Laban's deceit, points forward to the ultimate provision and vindication found in Jesus Christ. Just as God ensured Jacob received his due wages by miraculously altering the natural order, Christ, as the faithful Son, secures for His people an eternal inheritance and spiritual blessings that are beyond human manipulation or earthly injustice. He is the ultimate advocate who delivers His people from the oppression of sin and secures their true "wages"—not based on their merit or cleverness, but on His perfect atoning work and God's sovereign grace. In Christ, God's justice is fully satisfied through His sacrifice on the cross, and His covenant promises find their ultimate "yes and amen" in Him, as declared in 2 Corinthians 1:20. Through faith in Jesus, believers are granted a spiritual prosperity and an unshakable standing before God, a far greater reality than any earthly flock, as they are made heirs with Christ and assured of their place in His eternal kingdom, as promised in Ephesians 1:11.