Topical Bible: Cowardice: Jacob, in Flying from Laban

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In the biblical narrative, the account of Jacob fleeing from Laban is a significant episode that highlights themes of fear and perceived cowardice. This event is recorded in Genesis 31, where Jacob, after years of service to his father-in-law Laban, decides to leave secretly with his family and possessions.

Jacob's decision to flee can be seen as an act of cowardice, as he chooses to leave without informing Laban, fearing confrontation. Genesis 31:20-21 states, "And Jacob deceived Laban the Aramean by not telling him that he was running away. So he fled with all his possessions, crossed the Euphrates, and headed for the hill country of Gilead." This passage suggests that Jacob's actions were driven by fear of Laban's potential reaction, rather than a direct confrontation or negotiation.

The context of Jacob's fear is rooted in his complex relationship with Laban. Over the years, Laban had repeatedly changed Jacob's wages and taken advantage of him, as Jacob himself recounts in Genesis 31:7 : "Yet your father has cheated me and changed my wages ten times. But God has not allowed him to harm me." Despite God's protection, Jacob's decision to flee secretly indicates a lack of trust in God's provision and a reliance on his own schemes to ensure safety.

Jacob's flight can also be understood in light of his past experiences. Earlier in his life, Jacob had fled from his brother Esau after deceiving him out of his birthright and blessing (Genesis 27). This pattern of fleeing from difficult situations rather than facing them directly may reflect a character trait of avoiding confrontation, which some might interpret as cowardice.

However, it is important to note that Jacob's actions were not without divine instruction. In Genesis 31:3 , the Lord said to Jacob, "Return to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you." While Jacob's method of departure was secretive, his decision to leave was in obedience to God's command. This divine directive complicates the interpretation of his actions as purely cowardly, suggesting a tension between human fear and divine guidance.

In the broader biblical narrative, Jacob's flight from Laban serves as a pivotal moment in his journey of faith. It is a reminder of the complexities of human character, where fear and faith often coexist. Jacob's account encourages believers to reflect on their own responses to fear and the importance of trusting in God's promises, even when circumstances seem daunting.

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Genesis 31:31
And Jacob answered and said to Laban, Because I was afraid: for I said, Peradventure you would take by force your daughters from me.
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Library

Homilies on the Statues.
... Birds, [626]408; finding nests robbed, [627]427; flying high escape snares, [628 ...
Cowardice unbecoming men, [855]446. ... Jacob, his care of Laban's sheep, [1379]354 ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/chrysostom/on the priesthood/homilies on the statues.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... only at the expense of fresh losses, unless the cowardice or treason ... of artificial
island, connected with the surrounding country by two flying bridges, which ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm