25 Now it came about, when Rachel had given birth to Joseph, that Jacob said to Laban, “Send me away, so that I may go to my own place and to my own country. 26 Give me my wives and my children for whom I have served you, and let me go; for you yourself know my service which I have rendered you.”
27 But Laban said to him, “If it pleases you at all, stay with me; I have determined by divination that the Lord has blessed me on your account.” 28 He continued, “Name me your wages, and I will give them.”
29 But Jacob said to him, “You yourself know how I have served you and how your livestock have fared with me. 30 For you had little before I came, and it has increased to a multitude, and the Lord has blessed you wherever I turned. But now, when shall I provide for my own household also?”
Genesis 30:25-30 (NASB)
Time to go
Jacob has served his time, 14 years, in payment for two wives (Leah and Rachel) plus two servants, food and lodging. Now he’s ready to get outta Dodge and get back home. He asks for Laban’s formal sendoff. There seems to be some tension since Laban has prospered because of Jacob’s work and presence. Could it be that Jacob is actually negotiating to get compensation? We see Jacob’s appeal (“when shall I provide for my own household”) and their agreement (later in the chapter) may indicate that.
Divination determination
This is a bit troubling. Laban uses divination to determine that he has been blessed by the Lord because of Jacob. It doesn’t say, “God told him in a dream.” or, “He sought the Lord.”, so I presume he used occult practices to find this out. We’ll see later in Genesis 31:19 that Laban had “household gods”.
Jacob’s appeal
Jacob confirms what Laban already stated – that he has been blessed because of Jacob. Jacob didn’t need any divination to see that, it was quite obvious. Maybe Laban’s statement about divination was only part of his negotiation strategy. Regardless, Jacob wants to make his own way in life and have some assets (livestock) of his own… and he has a plan up his sleeve…
RЯeflection
Do you know any believers who are seeking means other than the Lord for insight, wisdom, blessing? Have you done so in the past yourself? We read in scripture that God allows these evil practices and they do have some power. Not only is it dangerous to seek these, it is an obvious offense against God. He wants us to seek Him only and trust Him alone. Check out this article for more info.
