Hi there
Jacob’s story is so very rich, and replete with many lessons and nuggets for our consideration. Today’s Holy Nougat invites our reflection on abuse. As you read the Nougat and the reflection, please note your own feelings on this issue.
25 After Rachel gave birth to Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, “Send me on my way so I can go back to my own homeland. 26 Give me my wives and children, for whom I have served you,(AS) and I will be on my way. You know how much work I’ve done for you.”
27 But Laban said to him, “If I have found favor in your eyes, please stay. I have learned by divination that the Lord has blessed me because of you.”
Can you imagine, Laban had already gotten 14 years of almost free labour out of Jacob and still wasn’t fitting to release him! Jacob didn’t even have anything to leave with except for his family. That is, his two wives, two concubines-maids, 12 sons and a daughter. That’s all Jacob would have had as proof of his 14 years of work.
Being as mistrustful as I am of Laban and his motives, my first presumption is that Laban wasn’t only interested in Jacob’s skills. I suspect he wished to preserve his reputation. Not only his reputation in his community, but also in the sight of his in-laws, to whom we presume Jacob would return.
Can you hear the chatter, “imagine that! He run from his brother and spent 14 years away and NOTHING! Not one little herd to prove he was working.” Or, “what kind of father would send not one but two daughters away to a man who has nothing to his name…” or something along those lines.
Further, we know that Laban didn’t worship the same God as Jacob, as he practiced divination and we know that he kept and worshipped household gods.
Although we know how the story actually ends, I invite us to think about the advice we would give to Jacob. More critically, can we see this occurring in our contexts? As children of God, how do we respond to someone whose oppressor openly admits need for them, and only now offers remuneration?
Now, let us be in prayer for the women and men who are trapped in abusive situations.
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
