2. And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban--literally, "was not the same as yesterday, and the day before," a common Oriental form of speech. The insinuations against Jacob's fidelity by Laban's sons, and the sullen reserve, the churlish conduct, of Laban himself, had made Jacob's situation, in his uncle's establishment, most trying and painful. It is always one of the vexations attendant on worldly prosperity, that it excites the envy of others (Ec 4:4); and that, however careful a man is to maintain a good conscience, he cannot always reckon on maintaining a good name, in a censorious world. This, Jacob experienced; and it is probable that, like a good man, he had asked direction and relief in prayer.
JFB.
Outline
1 Jacob departs secretly from Laban
19 Rachel steals her father's images
22 Laban pursues after Jacob
26 Laban complains of the wrong
34 Rachel's decision to hide the images
36 Jacob's complaint of Laban
43 The covenant of Laban and Jacob at Galeed.
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