Karma's a Bitch - Genesis 31

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Karma’s a Bitch - Genesis 31

"Changing my wages ten times" - there we go. This is probably why Jacob has remained with Laban all this time.

Whatever trickery he used to keep Jacob there the first time, it seems he kept it up. The switch with Rachel and Leah was just the beginning. In that case, Jacob was probably something like a slave. Laban has prospered because of his oppression of Jacob.

Laban was obligated to hold onto the bride price of his daughters, presumably a garnishing of fourteen years wages, as an insurance in case they ever needed it. If Jacob were to die, for example, Laban would have the means to support his wives after death. If the "money" was never used, it would go to Rachel and Leah after his death. Since he spent it, they lost their inheritance.

This loss of inheritance is yet another example of Jacob receiving his comeuppance. Just as he swindled Esau out of his inheritance, so also has his family lost theirs by deception.

Jacob deceived Laban in order to get away. He ran from his brother, and now he is running from his uncle.

Rachel stole the household gods. These were probably important to them. They are a manipulative, paganistic family. Many of the gods at this time were used to manipulate fertility. Considering the importance of fertility and childbearing in this family, it’s very likely that these are the idols she stole.

Rachel sat on the gods and said she was having her period. This is likely another slightly comedic moment in the narrative of Joseph, giving the reader a nudge and a wink on the impotence of these gods.

Jacob made another marking stone. Jacob lifts a lot of stones in his lifetime.

Gen 28:18,35:20

In his twenty years with Laban, Jacob experienced a deceptive masquerade (Leah for Rachel), a manipulative food swap (mandrakes), and a loss of inheritance (Laban spent his wife's bride price. All he had done to his family was done to him.

Two things are notable in the reversal.

First, though Laban attempted to swindle payment and inheritance from Jacob, Jacob still made off quite well. God makes it clear to Jacob that this is because of his blessing, not because of Jacob's cunning.

Secondly, Jacob deceived Laban as he ran away. The story shows Jacob unchanged in twenty years, even after experiencing all he had. He continues to live as a deceiver and a sneak. His wife steals gods from her father. His family lives in lies, theft, and manipulation.

What instead if he were to learn to put his life in God's hands?