31:22-24
Eventually Laban discovers that Jacob and his family have fled, so he chases after them, catching up with them at Gilead. God also appears to Laban. We need to realise that God does not just appear to godly people. He gave Nebuchadnezzar dreams, as He did to Pilate’s wife, and as he had earlier done with Abimelech. Here he tells Laban not to say anything “good or bad” to Jacob. Given that Laban actually says quite a lot to Jacob, it isn’t clear what this actually means.
31:25-30
When he eventually catches up with them, Laban plays the innocent, pretending that he had only good motives towards Jacob. If only Jacob had told him, then he would have given them a proper send off. This was a lie, he had spent twenty years manipulating things to get as much as he could out of Jacob. We need to be aware that evil people will often speak with smooth silky words as if butter wouldn’t melt in their mouth. Laban acknowledges that God spoke to him in a dream, but refers to Him as Jacob’s God. It seems that “not saying good or bad” means pronouncing a blessing or curse on Jacob. Laban has also realised that his household gods have gone missing, and holds Jacob responsible.
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