5 and said to them, " I see your father's attitude , that it is not friendly toward me as formerly , but the God of my father has been with me. 6 " You know that I have served your father with all my strength . 7 "Yet your father has cheated me and changed my wages ten times ; however, God did not allow him to hurt me. 8 "If he spoke thus , 'The speckled shall be your wages ,' then all the flock brought forth speckled ; and if he spoke thus , 'The striped shall be your wages ,' then all the flock brought forth striped . 9 "Thus God has taken away your father's livestock and given them to me. 10 "And it came about at the time when the flock were mating that I lifted up my eyes and saw in a dream , and behold , the male goats which were mating were striped , speckled , and mottled . 11 "Then the angel of God said to me in the dream , 'Jacob ,' and I said , 'Here I am.' 12 "He said , 'Lift up now your eyes and see that all the male goats which are mating are striped , speckled , and mottled ; for I have seen all that Laban has been doing to you. 13 'I am the God of Bethel , where e you anointed a pillar , where e you made a vow to Me; now arise , leave this land , and return to the land of your birth .' "
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 31:5-13
Commentary on Genesis 31:1-21
(Read Genesis 31:1-21)
The affairs of these families are related very minutely, while (what are called) the great events of states and kingdoms at that period, are not mentioned. The Bible teaches people the common duties of life, how to serve God, how to enjoy the blessings he bestows, and to do good in the various stations and duties of life. Selfish men consider themselves robbed of all that goes past them, and covetousness will even swallow up natural affection. Men's overvaluing worldly wealth is that error which is the root of covetousness, envy, and all evil. The men of the world stand in each other's way, and every one seems to be taking away from the rest; hence discontent, envy, and discord. But there are possessions that will suffice for all; happy they who seek them in the first place. In all our removals we should have respect to the command and promise of God. If He be with us, we need not fear. The perils which surround us are so many, that nothing else can really encourage our hearts. To remember favoured seasons of communion with God, is very refreshing when in difficulties; and we should often recollect our vows, that we fail not to fulfil them.