Jacob’s Flight and Exile
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Laban’s absence afforded opportunity for departure. The flocks
and herds were speedily gathered and sent forward, and with his wives,
children, and servants, Jacob crossed the Euphrates, urging his way
toward Gilead, on the borders of Canaan. After three days Laban
learned of their flight, and set forth in pursuit, overtaking the company
on the seventh day of their journey. He was hot with anger, and bent
on forcing them to return, which he doubted not he could do, since his
band was much the stronger. The fugitives were indeed in great peril.
That he did not carry out his hostile purpose was due to the fact
that God Himself had interposed for the protection of His servant. “It
is in the power of my hand to do you hurt,” said Laban, “but the God
of your father spake unto me yesternight, saying, Take thou heed that
thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad;” that is, he should not force
him to return, or urge him by flattering inducements.
Laban had withheld the marriage dowry of his daughters and had
ever treated Jacob with craft and harshness; but with characteristic
dissimulation he now reproached him for his secret departure, which
had given the father no opportunity to make a parting feast or even to
bid farewell to his daughters and their children.
In reply Jacob plainly set forth Laban’s selfish and grasping policy,
and appealed to him as a witness to his own faithfulness and honesty.
“Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of
Isaac, had been with me,” said Jacob, “surely thou hadst sent me away
now empty. God hath seen mine affliction, and the labor of my hands,
and rebuked thee yesternight.”
Laban could not deny the facts brought forward, and he now pro-
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posed to enter into a covenant of peace. Jacob consented to the pro-
posal, and a pile of stones was erected as a token of the compact.
To this pillar Laban gave the name Mizpah, “watchtower,” saying,
“The Lord watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from
another.”
“And Laban said to Jacob, Behold this heap, and behold this pillar,
which I have cast betwixt me and thee; this heap be witness, and this
pillar be witness, that I will not pass over this heap to thee, and that
thou shalt not pass over this heap and this pillar unto me, for harm.
The God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their father,
judge betwixt us. And Jacob sware by the fear of his father Isaac.”
To confirm the treaty, the parties held a feast. The night was spent in