The “leopard” in the title is Jacob’s uncle Laban, whose “spots” show up in the first mention of him in Genesis 24:29. Abraham had sent his servant in search of a wife for his son Isaac, and on finding Rebekah, who was obviously the right choice, the servant gave her several jewels – and that, verse 30, was the first thing that caught Laban’s eye.
The camels likely caught his eye too (32), because only wealthy people had camels, so Laban could see he was on to a good thing. And he was right, because on agreeing to let Rebekah become Isaac’s wife, the servant “gave costly gifts” to Laban and his mother (53).
Imagine Laban’s delight, therefore, when his sister’s son Jacob turns up on his doorstep as well in Genesis 29. Laban “hurried to meet him” and welcomed Jacob into his home as his “own flesh and blood” (13-14), and offered him a job and wages (15). For the next fourteen years under Jacob’s care, Laban’s flocks (and wealth) “increased greatly” (30:29-30). And Jacob stuck it out for another six years too, despite Laban “cheating him” by changing “his wages ten times” (31:7).
But in that time, Jacob had cleverly bred Laban’s animals so that “the weak animals went to Laban and the strong ones” to himself (30:42), and “In this way Jacob grew exceedingly prosperous” (43), which did not go down well with Laban or his sons (31:1-2). They accused Jacob of shady tactics (the pot calling the kettle black), despite Laban having agreed to Jacob’s terms (30:31-34). In a dream, then, God told Jacob it was time to “leave this land at once and go back to your native land” (31:13). So when Laban was elsewhere, Jacob gathered his family, livestock and goods and they took off (31:17-18).
Seven days later Laban caught up with them, and played the victim card to a tee, accusing Jacob of “carrying off my daughters like captives in war” (31:26), and being denied the chance to kiss his children and grandchildren goodbye, etc. But Jacob was having none on it, and accused Laban of harsh tactics that God himself had noticed (31:38-42). And that’s when the leopard’s spots changed, because out of the blue Laban suggested that he and Jacob bury the hatchet and in Laban’s own words, “remember that God is a witness between you and me” (31:50).
So even a dedicated cheat and deceiver like Laban could have a change of heart, and even call on God as a witness. Which is encouraging. But could Laban fully change his spots and have “No other gods” too?….(next blog)
Buck To Basics 