Haron Idol

Genesis 31:1-21

Laban changes his tune about Jacob and his wages when it becomes apparent that Jacob stands to gain so much. Laban changes the wages multiple times (ten according to Jacob) but to no avail. Jacob realizes that God has been helping him get rich. He says,

"If he [Laban] says 'The speckled ones will be your wages', then all the flocks gave birth to speckled young; and if he said 'The streaked ones will be your wages, then all the young bore streaked young.'"

This kind of "luck" causes Laban and his sons to sour toward Jacob and his clan. They see their inheritance slipping away and suddenly Jacob doesn't seem to be such a catch anymore.

So God tells Jacob, pick it up and go home. Rachel and Leah concur- our father loves his sheep more than he loves us. He sold us and why shouldn't we profit from our father's possessions. Rachel really seems to believe this since she ends up stealing Laban's "household Gods" before they depart. Jacob also "deceives" Laban by not telling him that he was going home.

There's quite a bit of story, but the application isn't overly blatant to me. Jacob is pretty comfortable with talking directly to God. This method of communication seems to be fairly common place during this period of time, even for folks like Jacob who have been less than honest. Jacob is in the sacred line though, so maybe that's why he's got the hotline.

I don't think I would call Jacob's action here deception, although Moses does, and I guess technically he secretly sneaks away with Laban's daughters. But I see this as the equivalent as quitting without giving your notice. Besides, God's told him to get out of Dodge. Maybe the lesson here is that integrity goes beyond speech. He knew that Laban wouldn't be pleased and he purposely snuck away so Laban couldn't protest or try to keep what was Jacob's. Maybe the honest thing to do is to say- I'm done, I'm gone. I hope not, because I think we're about to do the same thing with the church we're attending.

Maybe the lesson here is that deception isn't always the same as lying. Maybe there are times when we could avoid conflict, save feelings and feuding by not answering questions, by avoiding issues, by choosing not to fight and instead sneaking away in the middle of the night.

Just don't take the idols with you.