Fractured Relationships
Genesis 31 serves as a case study on how not to deal with a difficult family member. Jacob claimed to be afraid, so he ran away. When Laban found out, he went in hot pursuit, hunting Jacob down. When they met, uninformed accusations flew from both sides. Laban asserted, "I have the power to harm you." Jacob responded by stating, "God has seen my hardship and the toil of my hands, and last night he rebuked you." Even when they made a covenant, Laban felt the need to offer a parting shot, "If you mistreat my daughters... God is a witness between you and me." Even though their parting turned out to be cordial (verse 55), certainly there were hard feelings on both sides.
- Neal