Clearly, Jacob wished to return to the Land of Promise, before the passing of his father, Isaac. He had served his father-in-law, Laban, fourteen years for his two daughters, Leah and Rachel. Now, he wished to begin to provide for them and his children by building his own wealth, rather than serving another and making him wealthy. However, Laban wished that he would remain with him awhile longer, and a new contract was made for his services. Some scholars believe Jacob served Laban for another twenty years (Genesis 31:38, 41), thirty-four in all,[1] but as we shall see, when we come to that place in scripture, this is impossible, if the text is to remain without a violation from an outside source. Jacob was concerned about seeing his father before Isaac died, and we already know that he was so old that his eyes had begun to fail him (Genesis 27), 133 years old, according to my calculations, and 147 years of age at this point, which is the first time Jacob sought to return to the Land of Promise.
Once Joseph was born, and Rachel was ready to travel, Jacob told Laban, his father-in-law, that he wished to leave Haran and return to his father, Isaac, whom he had left fourteen years ago (Genesis 30:25). Laban, together with his sons, formed a very powerful community, so Jacob asked for a peaceful departure and let him return to his country with his wives and children (Genesis 30:26; cp. 31:42).
Laban, however, knew that much of his wealth came to him because of Jacob. The Lord blessed Laban for Jacob’s sake (Genesis 30:27-28). Therefore, Laban asked Jacob to stay a little longer. Jacob replied by agreeing with Laban that, when Jacob arrive fourteen years ago, Laban’s wealth was little, but since he arrived his wealth had increased tremendously (Genesis 30:29). Nevertheless, the time had come for Jacob to begin to provide for his own house, and how could he do that by serving someone else (Genesis 30:30)?
Laban, however, asked Jacob to name his price. Therefore, Jacob replied by saying he would serve Laban an undisclosed number of years, and as payment for his services, Jacob would receive all the rarer colored animals that would be born among Laban’s flocks. Thus, all the sheep that weren’t white, and all the goats that weren’t black, would go to Jacob. In this manner Laban would be able to check Jacob’s flocks and know Jacob’s integrity, for there would be no white sheep nor any black goats among them (Genesis 30:31-33). Thus, Jacob could serve Laban and at the same time be growing wealth for his family.
Laban agreed to Jacob’s terms, and immediately all the rarer colored animals were separated from Laban’s flocks, and given to Laban’s sons who separated them by a distance of three days journey (Genesis 30:34-36). As for Laban’s herds and flocks whose hides bore the more frequent colors, they were given to Jacob’s care. Thus, Jacob began to build his wealth and provide for his family from the new births of the livestock under his care (cp. Genesis 30:30).
_________________________________________
[1] See Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers at Genesis 30:25
Smoodock's Blog 