The Pulpit Commentary — Genesis — Section 441

HOMILETICS. Vers. 22-44.-Lahan'spursuit of Jacob. I. THE HOSTILE PREPARATION. Leam- ing of bis son-in-law's departure, Laban at once determines on pursuit; not alone for tl!e purpose of recovering his household gods, but chiefly with the view of wreaking his pent-up_ veng~ance on Jacob, whom ½e now regarded as the spoiler of his for- tunes, and if possible to capture and detam the much-coveted flocks and herds which he considered had been practically stolen by his nephew. Mustering his kinsmen by either force or fraud,-by command enjoining those belonging to his household, and by misrepresentation probably beguiling such as were independent of bis authority - he loses not a moment, but starts upon the trail of the fugitives. Worldly men ~re seldom slow in seeking to repair their lost fortunes, and angry men are seldom laggard in exacting revenge. It is only God's vengeance that is slow-footed. II. THE DIVINE INTERPOSITION. Six days the wrathful Laban follows in pursuit of Jacob, and now the distance of one day is all that parts him from the fugitives. In a dream by night be is warned by Elohim to speak neither good nor bad to Jacob. The incident reminds us of the Divine superintendence of mundane affairs in general, and of God's care for his people in particular; of the access which God ever has to the minds of bis dependent creatures, and of the many different ways in which be can communicate bis will ; of his ability at all times to restrain the wrath of wicked men, and check the hands of evil-doers, who meditate the spoiling of his Church or the persecution of hie Raints. Ill THE STORMY INTERVIEW. 1. The pompous harangue of Laban. Laban gives way to-(1) Passionate reproach; chargmgJacob with having clandestinely departed from bis service and violently carried off his daughters, in the first of which Jacob did nothing WTong, while the second was a pure exaggeration (vide ver. 16). (2) Hypocritical affection; declaring that Jacob, bad he, Laban, only known, might have been sent away with public demonstrations of rejoicing, while Rachel and Leah might have carried with them a parent's kiss, if not a father's blessing. But if Jacob's leave-taking would in any way have excited Laban's jubilation, it is doubtful if this would not have been traceable less to Laban's regard for his son-in-law than to Laban's anxiety about his flocks, which, in the absence of the spoiler, he might hope would become prolific as before : while as for Laban's love for his daughters, one might fairly claim indemnity for suspecting an affection so recent in its origin, and so palpably contradicted by his previous behaviour. (3) Boastful assertion ; passing on, like all weak natures who love to he considered formidable, to brag about his power to inflict injury on Jacob (ver. 29), and to hint that he only forbears to do so out of respect for God, who had appeawd to him on the previous night. (4) Direct accusation; ere he closes his oration, deliberately impeaching Jacob with having abstracted his teraphim. 2. Tlie ingenuous response of Jacob. In this are discernible virtues worthy of imitation, if alao infirmities deserving reprobation. If Jacob'e candour in declaring the reasons of his flight (ver. 31) and willingnees to r6.9tore to La.ban whatever property belonged to him (ver. 32) are examples to be CH. XXXI. 22-44.] THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 385