Bible Commentaries

Genesis 30:27

The words are Laban's, and taken in their connection they intimate that even an utterly worldly man, such as he was, may be forced to acknowledge the moral providence of God, whereby He takes especial and peculiar care of His servants. Look at the moral and religious lessons which a thoughtful man may learn by experience.

I. We learn by experience much that is wholesome about ourselves. By the blunders we have made, the falls we have suffered, the injuries we have sustained, the sins we have committed, and the wrongs we have inflicted on others, God has enlightened us in the knowledge of ourselves, and made us feel that it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

II. Experience has taught us much regarding the world and its pleasures, possessions, and enjoyments. Even in the case of the Christian, there is much to wean him from the world as the years roll on. As he grows older the world becomes less and less to him, and Christ becomes more and more. He learns to delight in God, and his growth in holiness becomes the ambition of his life.

III. The experience of the lapse of years teaches us more and more of God as the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have increasing proofs of God's wisdom and God's faithfulness. Whoever has been false to us, He has remained true. This testimony of experience thus grows with our growth and strengthens with our strength. It is a fortress which is utterly impregnable.

W. M. Taylor, The Christian at Work, Sept. 16th, 1880.

References: Genesis 30:1-26.—R. S. Candlish, Book of Genesis, vol. ii., p. 36. Genesis 30:27.—Parker, vol. i., p. 362; Homiletic Quarterly, vol. iii., p. 278. Genesis 30:27-43.—R. S. Candlish, Book of Genesis, vol. ii., p. 46. Gen 30—Expositor, 2nd series, vol. vi., p. 267; R. S. Candlish, Book of Genesis, vol. ii., p. 16. Gen 31—R. S. Candlish, Book of Genesis, vol. ii., pp. 16, 53. Genesis 31:3, Genesis 31:5.—Spurgeon, Sermons, vol. xxvii., No. 1630. Genesis 31:13.—J. Van Oosterzee, The Year of Salvation, vol. ii., p. 360; Spurgeon, Sermons, vol. xxi., No. 1267; J. R. Macduff, Communion Memories, p. 175. Genesis 31:38.—Homiletic Quarterly, vol. iii., p. 530. Genesis 31:47.—Parker, vol. i., p. 362. Genesis 31:48, Genesis 31:49.—Homiletic Quarterly, vol. iii., p. 549. Genesis 31:48-50.—F. W. Robertson, Notes on Genesis, p. 113. Genesis 31:53.—Expositor, 2nd series, vol. iii., p. 352.