The Pulpit Commentary — Genesis — Section 442

copied, on the other hand, the over-confident assertion that no one had Laban·s gods, 11nd the over-hasty imprecation on any who should be found possessing them, are 1:ot to be commended. IV, THE FRUITLESS SEARCH. 1. The musing gods. On the nature, probable origin, and uses of the teraphim see Exposition, ver. 19. The existence of these silver or wooden images in Laban's tent was a proof of the reliITTous declension if not complete apostasy, of this branch of the family of Tera!~ Scripture ne~er represents idolatry as an upward effort of the human heart, as o.furtherdeveloprnent in the onward evolution of the son! ( Sir J. Lubbock on the' Origin of Civilisation ' p. 256); but always as a deterioration, or a retrogression, or a falling away of the Irn:rian spirit from its rightful allegiance. The lose of Laban's manufactured deities was a ridiculous commentary on the folly of worshipping or trusting in a god that could be st<;>len-a complete reductio ad absurdum of the whole superstmcture of idolatry (cf. 1 Kings xviii. 27; Ps. cxv. 4, 8; Isa. xliv. 19; xlvi. 6, 7; Jer. x. 5). 2. The an;cious devotee. Invited by Jacob to make a search for his lost teraphim, Laban beg-ins with Jacob's tent, then with the tents of Bilhah and Zilpah, after which he passes into Leah's, and finally comes to Rachel's; but everywhere his efforts to recover his gods ore defeated. What a spectacle of infinite humour, if it were not rather of ineffable sadness-a man seeking for his lost gods I The gospel presentR us with the opposite picture-the ever-present God seeking for his lost children. 3. The lying daugliter. I£ the conduct of Raebel in carrying off the images of her father was open to serious question (vide Exposition, ver. 19), her behaviour towards her father in the tent was utterly inexcusable. Even if she spoke the truth in describing her condition, she was guilty of bare-faced deception. This particular passage in Rachel's history is painfully suggestive of the disastrous results of worldliness and irreligion in the training of children. Laban's craft and Laban'R superstition had both been factors in Rachel's education. 4. Tlte decdved parent. Worse than being disappointed in his gods, Laban was dishonoured by his daughter. But what else could he expect? Laban was only reaping as he had sowed. I\Iarvel- lous and appropriate are God's providential retributions. V. THE PASSIONATE INVECTIVE. It was now Jacob's tum to pour out the vials of liie wrath upon Laban, and certainly it burned all the hotter because of its previom1 suppression. 1. He upbraids Labn.n with the unreasonableness of his persecution (ver. 36). 2. He taunta Laban with the fruitlessness cif his search (ver. 37). 3. He reminds Laban of the faithful service he had given for twenty yenrs (vers. 38-41). 4, He recalls the crnfty 11ttempts to defraud him of which Labon had been guilty (ver. 41 ). 5. He assures Laban that it was God's gracious care, and neither his lionesty nor affection, that had prevented him from being that day a poor man instead of a rich emir (ver. 42). 6. He somewhat fiercely bids Laban accept the rebuke which God had addressed to him the previous night. VI. THE AMICABLE SETI1.EMENT. Doubtless much to Jacob's surprise, the wrnth of Laban all at once subsided, and a proposal came from him to bury past animosities, to strike a covenant of friendship with one another, and to part in peace. The seven days' journey, a:ffording time for •reflection; the Divine interposition, inspiring him with fear; the mortification resulting from his fruitless search, convincing him that he had really overstepped the bounds of moderation in accusing Jacob; the voice of conscience within his breast ra-echoing the words of Jacob, and declaring them to be true; and perhaps the sight of his daughters at Inst touching a chord in the old man's heart ;-all these may have contributed to this unexpected collapse in Laban; but whether or not, Jacob, as became him, cordially assented to the proposition. Lessons :-1. The reality of God's care for his people~illustrated by the appearances of Elohim to Jucob and to Lo.ban. 2. The misemble outcomi, of n worldly life- exemplified in Laban. 3. The efficacy of n soft answer in turning away wrnth- proved by Ja.cob's first response. 4. The difficulty of restraining angry speech within just bounds-exemplified by both. 5. The folly of idolatry, as seen in Laban's lost teraphim. 6. The evil fruits of bad par~ntal training, as they appear in Rachel. 7. The proper way of ending quarrels-exhibited hy Laban and Jacob in their covenant agreement. GENF.~TS. C0  386 THE BOOK OF GENESIS. [CH. XXXI. 45-55.