Genesis 31:21: The river behind him, and the hills in front: the moment it cannot be undone
Read it →Commentary on Genesis 31:21
Jacob's years with Laban end not with a farewell but with a head start. He puts a great river behind him and heads for the highlands of Gilead — going where God had told him to go, but going in secret.
The river he crossed
The ESV names the Euphrates outright. Older translations read "the river," which is Scripture's own shorthand for it. That same river marked a border God had named to Abraham.
This river is first mentioned in connection with the garden of Eden, but cannot be traced from that. Gen. 2:14. It was the north-east boundary of the land promised to Abraham, as the river of Egypt was the south-west. Gen. 15:18. It is called the great river, the river Euphrates, Deut. 1:7, and at times it is simply called "the river." Gen. 31:21.
The hill country he aimed for
Gilead was no random destination. It was high ground with plenty of grazing.
This district lies east of the Jordan. It extends from the river Yarmouk, a little south of the Sea of Galilee, to the north corner of the Dead Sea... It is a mountainous district, which accounts for some part of it being called "the mount of Gilead" in Gen. 31:21-25... Pasturage abounds in Gilead.
Flight instead of farewell
God had told Jacob to go home. The going, though, was done Jacob's way — timed for the week Laban was busy shearing sheep, with no word said.
But in the manner of his departure we again see the character of Jacob revealed. He should have dealt openly with Laban, met him face to face, and then left with proper notice. Instead he stole away unnoticed while Laban was away shearing his sheep. In doing so he handed Laban fresh grounds for complaint. He had accepted the place of a servant, working for wages, though he was son-in-law to his master. In those circumstances the parting ought to have been arranged by mutual consent.
A clear command, but not a clear conscience
Jacob had a direct word from God to go home. He still left in secret, and the writers put that down to something missing in him.
Laban's sons murmur, and their father's face is no longer toward Jacob as before. At last Jehovah tells him to return to the land of his fathers. (Genesis 31:3) His mind is made up at once. He gives a touching explanation to Rachel and Leah, and sets out secretly. He had no such confidence in God with a clear conscience as would rid him of fear. The unseen hand of God was there; but the power and the honour of God could not rightly be found in such a course... So he steals away timidly, pursued like a thief by his father-in-law. But God deals seriously with Laban, coming to him in a dream by night.
Another writer names the reason plainly:
But Jacob has to flee. The time has come for him to return to his father's house, and God tells him to return. Why steal away unnoticed? Because he was conscious of sins. He knew he had wronged Laban, and so he was troubled and afraid.
Pushed by circumstances, steered by God
From the outside this looks like a man running from a soured deal. Underneath, it is a homecoming God arranged.
But Jacob is oppressed and unwelcome among the Gentiles. So he returns to the land of his pilgrimage, the land of the fathers — pushed by circumstances, but in truth directed by God.
Jacob handled the escape badly, and it still worked. The protection was God's, not his.
Jehovah was faithful and gracious; Jacob was a fugitive. Laban soon pursued in hot haste with no friendly intent, but in the end he had to bow to God's protection of Jacob.
Why Laban gave chase
The wealth Jacob left with came from God, and it had already soured the household. His leaving turned that souring into open hostility.
After all his planning, Jacob has to learn that it is the power of God to which he owes the increase... But his prosperity turns Laban against him, just as spiritual increase separates a person from the world. Then comes the call of God to return to Canaan. Laban can no longer get on with him, yet his withdrawal makes Laban openly hostile. In the same way, the world feels the sting of separation, though there can be no more fellowship.
Summary
- Command. God had told Jacob to return to the land of his fathers; the journey itself was obedience, not impulse.
- Conscience. He left in secret because he knew he had wronged Laban, and a guilty conscience left no room for confidence in God.
- Conduct. He reached the right place by the wrong method. A servant owes his master an open parting, and his secrecy handed Laban a fresh complaint.
- Care. He crossed the Euphrates for the high pastures of Gilead as a fugitive. Laban chased him, and had to bow to God's protection of Jacob.
- Consequence. Blessing had already cost Jacob Laban's goodwill. Separation stings the world, and the parting made that plain.
