311 Jacob learned that Laban's sons were talking behind his back: "Jacob has used our father's wealth to make himself rich at our father's expense." 2 At the same time, Jacob noticed that Laban had changed toward him. He wasn't treating him the same. 3 That's when God said to Jacob, "Go back home where you were born. I'll go with you." 4 So Jacob sent word for Rachel and Leah to meet him out in the field where his flocks were. 5 He said, "I notice that your father has changed toward me; he doesn't treat me the same as before. But the God of my father hasn't changed; he's still with me. 6 You know how hard I've worked for your father. 7 Still, your father has cheated me over and over, changing my wages time and again. But God never let him really hurt me. 8 If he said, 'Your wages will consist of speckled animals' the whole flock would start having speckled lambs and kids. And if he said, 'From now on your wages will be streaked animals' the whole flock would have streaked ones. 9 Over and over God used your father's livestock to reward me. 10 "Once, while the flocks were mating, I had a dream and saw the billy goats, all of them streaked, speckled, and mottled, mounting their mates. 11 In the dream an angel of God called out to me, 'Jacob!' "I said, 'Yes?' 12 "He said, 'Watch closely. Notice that all the goats in the flock that are mating are streaked, speckled, and mottled. I know what Laban's been doing to you. 13 I'm the God of Bethel where you consecrated a pillar and made a vow to me. Now be on your way, get out of this place, go home to your birthplace.'" 14 Rachel and Leah said, "Has he treated us any better? 15 Aren't we treated worse than outsiders? All he wanted was the money he got from selling us, and he's spent all that. 16 Any wealth that God has seen fit to return to us from our father is justly ours and our children's. Go ahead. Do what God told you."
17 Jacob did it. He put his children and his wives on camels 18 and gathered all his livestock and everything he had gotten, everything acquired in Paddan Aram, to go back home to his father Isaac in the land of Canaan. 19 Laban was off shearing sheep. Rachel stole her father's household gods. 20 And Jacob had concealed his plans so well that Laban the Aramean had no idea what was going on - he was totally in the dark. 21 Jacob got away with everything he had and was soon across the Euphrates headed for the hill country of Gilead.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 31:1-21
Commentary on Genesis 31:1-21
(Read Genesis 31:1-21)
The affairs of these families are related very minutely, while (what are called) the great events of states and kingdoms at that period, are not mentioned. The Bible teaches people the common duties of life, how to serve God, how to enjoy the blessings he bestows, and to do good in the various stations and duties of life. Selfish men consider themselves robbed of all that goes past them, and covetousness will even swallow up natural affection. Men's overvaluing worldly wealth is that error which is the root of covetousness, envy, and all evil. The men of the world stand in each other's way, and every one seems to be taking away from the rest; hence discontent, envy, and discord. But there are possessions that will suffice for all; happy they who seek them in the first place. In all our removals we should have respect to the command and promise of God. If He be with us, we need not fear. The perils which surround us are so many, that nothing else can really encourage our hearts. To remember favoured seasons of communion with God, is very refreshing when in difficulties; and we should often recollect our vows, that we fail not to fulfil them.