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Iacobs Return to his Birth-place.
Jacob leaves Laban, to return to his own Country.
THe Blessings that GOD so plentifully showr'd down upon Jacob, and on all that belonged to him, so excited Laban's Envy, that he perceived it was his Prudence to leave Me∣sopotamia, for the same Reason, that before had obliged him to quit Canaan. Whilst these Thoughts were ruminating in his Mind, without daring to put them in execu∣tion for fear of undertaking any thing from a motion of his own Spirit, GOD himself commanded him to return to the place of his Nativity, and promises to be with him, and to defend him in his Journey.
Jacob hereupon casts about, how to accom∣plish GOD'S Commands, and resolves to do it in the most secret manner, and to depart from Mesopotamia in the same manner, as he first came thither, that is, like a Fugitive. To this purpose, he calls for his two Wives, and discourses to them his design, which they approv'd of, and agree to follow him: So Jacob taking his Opportunity during La∣ban's Absence, went his way privately, ta∣king his Family and Possessions with him.
Laban being inform'd of his sudden unex∣pected Departure, and missing some of his Idols, which Rachel without the knowledge of her Husband had taken with her, in a Tran∣sport of Passion pursues him seven days, and overtakes him on Mount Gilead; but before their coming together, GOD appears to Laban in a Dream by Night, charging him not in the least to hurt Jacob.
As soon as they were met, Laban complains to Jacob, reproaching him for basely stealing away from him, and hurrying away his Daugh∣ters, as Captives taken by the Sword: He told him, it was ill done to conceal his Depar∣ture, and thereby to prevent him of taking his last farewel of his Children, and to shew his Peternal tenderness for them; and con∣cluded, that however he might exercise him∣self with the Possession he had to return to his own Country and Fathers House; yet that his robbing him of his Idols was a thing un∣just, and that he could have no Pretence or Plea for it.
Jacob at these Words interrupted him, and having excused the Privacy of his Departure, absolutely deny'd the taking away the said Idols, so far as to give him leave to kill the Party with whom he should find them. La∣ban having fought them with great diligence, at last enters Rachels Tent; but before his coming she had carefully hid them in the Ca∣mels Furniture, and sitting upon them, desi∣red her Father, not to take it ill, that she rose not up to pay him her dutiful Respects, as being at that time indispos'd.
Laban being forced to return without find∣ing them, Jacob begins sharply to expostulate with him for his most unjust and hard deal∣ing towards him; but at length, their Spi∣rits being calmed before their parting, they made a Covenant to observe reciprocally, and having Feasted together, lovingly take leave of each other.
In this History, Jacob is to be admired as a perfect Model of that Wisdom and Justice which we are to observe in living in the World: He took care not to burthen himself with the possession of any thing, but what he could take along with him, to the end he might not be forced to depend upon any one. As he lost nothing of what was his own, neither took he ought that belonged to another. He had en∣riched himself not only without impairing o∣thers, but by procuring particular Profit and Advantage.
Laban, who treated him so like a Slave, who wish'd him no good, but endeavoured to op∣press and injure him, yet in effect could do no∣thing to his prejudice, nor hinder him from departing from him with great Riches; For when he came to reason with Jacob, his bad Nature became good; because Jacob's Actions were season'd with Justice and Wisdom, and di∣rected by the guidance of GODS Spirit.
Happy is he who with Jacob can say to the Devil and the World, Search, whether there be any thing with me that is yours, and take it: And who, with blessed Rachel, (tho' of an Idolatrous Family) treads under foot her Fa∣thers Idols.
She (by her Example) teacheth Christian Daughters not to follow the sinful C••stoms of their Parents, who often desire nothing more than to sacrifice them to the Idol of Worldly Vanity; but having an Eye to the eternal and satisfying Delights of a Heavenly Country, to take care not to forfeit the same, by loving their Fathers more than GOD.