25 Now after the birth of Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, Let me go away to my place and my country. 26 Give me my wives and my children, for whom I have been your servant, and let me go: for you have knowledge of all the work I have done for you. 27 And Laban said, If you will let me say so, do not go away; for I have seen by the signs that the Lord has been good to me because of you. 28 Say then what your payment is to be and I will give it. 29 Then Jacob said, You have seen what I have done for you, and how your cattle have done well under my care. 30 For before I came you had little, and it has been greatly increased; and the Lord has given you a blessing in everything I have done; but when am I to do something for my family? 31 And Laban said, What am I to give you? And Jacob said, Do not give me anything; but I will again take up the care of your flock if you will only do this for me: 32 Let me go through all your flock today, taking out from among them all the sheep which are marked or coloured or black, and all the marked or coloured goats: these will be my payment. 33 And so you will be able to put my honour to the test in time to come; if you see among my flocks any goats which are not marked or coloured, or any sheep which is not black, you may take me for a thief. 34 And Laban said, Let it be as you say. 35 So that day he took all the he-goats which were banded or coloured, and all the she-goats which were marked or coloured or had white marks, and all the black sheep, and gave them into the care of his sons; 36 And sent them three days' journey away: and Jacob took care of the rest of Laban's flock.
37 Then Jacob took young branches of trees, cutting off the skin so that the white wood was seen in bands. 38 And he put the banded sticks in the drinking-places where the flock came to get water; and they became with young when they came to the water. 39 And because of this, the flock gave birth to young which were marked with bands of colour. 40 These lambs Jacob kept separate; and he put his flock in a place by themselves and not with Laban's flock. 41 And whenever the stronger ones of the flock became with young, Jacob put the sticks in front of them in the drinking-places, so that they might become with young when they saw the sticks. 42 But when the flocks were feeble, he did not put the sticks before them; so that the feebler flocks were Laban's and the stronger were Jacob's. 43 So Jacob's wealth was greatly increased; he had great flocks and women-servants and men-servants and camels and asses.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 30:25-43
Commentary on Genesis 30:25-43
(Read Genesis 30:25-43)
The fourteen years being gone, Jacob was willing to depart without any provision, except God's promise. But he had in many ways a just claim on Laban's substance, and it was the will of God that he should be provided for from it. He referred his cause to God, rather than agree for stated wages with Laban, whose selfishness was very great. And it would appear that he acted honestly, when none but those of the colours fixed upon should be found among his cattle. Laban selfishly thought that his cattle would produce few different in colour from their own. Jacob's course after this agreement has been considered an instance of his policy and management. But it was done by intimation from God, and as a token of his power. The Lord will one way or another plead the cause of the oppressed, and honour those who simply trust his providence. Neither could Laban complain of Jacob, for he had nothing more than was freely agreed that he should have; nor was he injured, but greatly benefitted by Jacob's services. May all our mercies be received with thanksgiving and prayer, that coming from his bounty, they may lead to his praise.