Holly Bible - KJV with Concise Commentaries by Z Selam - HTML preview
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all this glory. Note, Riches are glorious things in the eyes of carnal people, while to all those that are conversant with heavenly things they have no glory in comparison with the glory which excelleth. Men's over-valuing worldly wealth is that fundamental error which is the root of covetousness, envy, and all evil.
(2.) How basely they reflect upon Jacob's fidelity, as if what he had he had not gotten honestly: Jacob has taken away all that was our father's. Not all, surely. What had become of those cattle which were committed to the custody of Laban's sons, and sent three days' journey off? Ge 30:35, 36. They mean all that was committed to him; but, speaking invidiously, they express themselves thus generally. Note,
[1.] Those that are ever so careful to keep a good conscience cannot always be sure of a good name.
[2.] This is one of the vanities and vexations which attend outward prosperity, that it makes a man to be envied of his neighbors (Ec 4:4), and who can stand before envy? Pr 27:4. Whom Heaven blesses hell curses, and all its children on earth.
2. Laban himself said little, but his countenance was not towards Jacob as it used to be; and Jacob could not but take notice of it, Ge 31:2, 5. He was but a churl at the best, but now he was more churlish than formerly. Note, Envy is a sin that often appears in the countenance; hence we read of an evil eye, Pr 23:6. Sour looks may do a great deal towards the ruin of peace and love in a family, and the making of those uneasy of whose comfort we ought to be tender. Laban's angry countenance lost him the greatest blessing his family ever had, and justly.
2 And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was
not toward him as before.
3 And the Lord said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers,
and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee.