seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Genesis 31:36 Jacob was angry and took Laban to task. “What is my crime?” he asked Laban. “How have I wronged you that you hunt me down? 37 Now that you have searched through all my goods, what have you found that belongs to your household? Put it here in front of your relatives and mine, and let them judge between the two of us.
38 “I have been with you for twenty years now. Your sheep and goats have not miscarried, nor have I eaten rams from your flocks. 39 I did not bring you animals torn by wild beasts; I bore the loss myself. And you demanded payment from me for whatever was stolen by day or night. 40 This was my situation: The heat consumed me in the daytime and the cold at night, and sleep fled from my eyes. 41 It was like this for the twenty years I was in your household. I worked for you fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flocks, and you changed my wages ten times. 42 If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me, you would surely have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen my hardship and the toil of my hands, and last night he rebuked you.”
38 “I have been with you for twenty years now. Your sheep and goats have not miscarried, nor have I eaten rams from your flocks. 39 I did not bring you animals torn by wild beasts; I bore the loss myself. And you demanded payment from me for whatever was stolen by day or night. 40 This was my situation: The heat consumed me in the daytime and the cold at night, and sleep fled from my eyes. 41 It was like this for the twenty years I was in your household. I worked for you fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flocks, and you changed my wages ten times. 42 If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me, you would surely have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen my hardship and the toil of my hands, and last night he rebuked you.”
Boy, I know Jacob feels better after telling Laban!
Studylight.org offers this.
It was an ancient custom that a shepherd could bring the torn carcass of a sheep to his owner, as evidence that he was brave enough to not let the wolf devour it or take it away, and thus the shepherd would be excused. Jacob explained he didnt follow this custom, and every animal that was attacked or stolen, he replaced out of his own herd.
Jacob claimed that it was Gods protection that sent him away in a way that prevented Laban from taking what belonged to Jacob.
Jacob claimed that it was Gods protection that sent him away in a way that prevented Laban from taking what belonged to Jacob.
This comes from the easy English commentary.
Jacob’s and Laban’s argument sounds like the discussions in a court. Laban accused Jacob. But Laban could not prove anything. Now Jacob accused Laban. Of course, there was no human judge. God was their only judge.
‘Ten times’ may not mean the exact number ten. It may mean ‘many times’.
‘Ten times’ may not mean the exact number ten. It may mean ‘many times’.
I think that "ten times" might just be that Jacob was saying that he hadn't had raises on a regular basis. I know a couple of people who have been with the same employer for over 20 years and they are paid way below the others who come on the payroll now by comparison. Minimum wage has changed a bunch since they were hired.... maybe that's what Jacob means.... Employers should take care of their employees!
On top of that.... this was family... but that's just my unsolicited opinion...
Last edited: