Holly Bible - KJV with Concise Commentaries by Z Selam - HTML preview
Download the book in PDF, ePub, Kindle for a complete version.
loss of it; of my hand didst thou require it, whether stolen by day, or stolen by night.
The character of a hard master. Laban had been such a one to Jacob. Those are bad masters, 1. Who exact from their servants that which is unjust, by obliging them to make good that which is not damaged by any default of theirs. This Laban did, Ge 31:39. Nay, if there has been a neglect, yet it is unjust to punish above the proportion of the fault. That may be an inconsiderable damage to the master which would go near to ruin a poor servant.
40 Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by
night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes.
41 Thus have I been twenty years in thy house: I served thee fourteen
years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle; and thou hast changed my wages ten times.
The character of a good servant, and particularly of a faithful shepherd. Jacob had approved himself such a one, Ge 31:38-40.
1. He was very careful, so that, through his oversight or neglect, the ewes did not cast their young. His piety also procured a blessing upon his master's effects that were under his hands. Note, Servants should take no less care of what they are entrusted with for their masters than if they were entitled to it as their own.
2. He was very honest, and took none of that for his own eating which was not allowed him. He contented himself with mean fare, and coveted not to feast upon the rams of the flock. Note, Servants must not be dainty in their food, nor covet what is forbidden them, but in that, and other instances, show all good fidelity.
3. He was very laborious, Ge 31:40. He stuck to his business, all weathers; and bore both heat and cold with invincible patience. Note, Men of business, that intend to make something of it, must resolve to endure hardness. Jacob is here an example