For all the riches which God hath taken from our father, that [is] ours, and our children’s: now then, whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do.
That is ours; not only by Gods special gift, but by the natural right which children have to a share in his estate, and upon the account of thy faitithful and laborious service.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
For all the riches which God hath taken from our father,…. And given to Jacob for his labour:
that [is] ours, and our children’s; it belonged to us by the law of nature, before it came into thine hands; and our right unto it is still more manifest, and is confirmed by the service thou hast done for it, by which means it came into thy possession; and therefore it is no point of conscience with us, nor need it be any with thee especially, to go off with it:
now then, whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do; for that must needs be right: this was well spoken indeed; they mean, that he should leave their father’s house, and go into the land of Canaan, as God had directed him; and they signified that they were willing: to go along with him.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
16. For all the riches which God has taken from our father. Rachel and Leah confirm the speech of Jacob; but yet in a profane and common manner, not with a lively and pure sense of religion. For they only make a passing allusion to the fact, that God, in pity to his servant, had deigned to honor him with peculiar favor; and in the meantime, insist upon a reason of little solidity, that what they were carrying away was justly their due, because a part of the inheritance pertained to them. They do not argue that the riches they possessed were theirs, because they had been justly acquired by the labor of their husband; but because they themselves ought not to have been defrauded of their dowry, and now deprived of their lawful inheritance. For this reason they mention also their children with themselves, as having sprung from the blood of Laban. By this method they not only obscure the blessing of God, but indulge themselves in greater license than is right. They also form a mean estimate of their husband’s labors, in boasting that the fruit of those labors proceeded from themselves. Wherefore we are, by no means, to seek hence a precedent for the way in which each is to defend his own right, or to attempt the recovery of it, when it has been unjustly wrested from him.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
Gen 31:16. For all the riches, &c. Another reason here offers itself to justify Jacob. The daughters of Laban justly complain of their father’s treatment, who had behaved to them as if they had been slaves, not daughters; and assert, that the gracious God who had so blessed their husband, herein had only caused Laban to do that involuntarily which he ought to have done freely; had only administered to them that justice, and given to them those riches, which their father had withheld: consequently he could not be wronged by the divine consignment of them to the proper owners.
REFLECTIONS.Jacob’s great increase becomes now a dangerous snare; but God makes it the means of hastening him home the sooner. So easily can his providence change our dangers into blessings.
1. Laban’s sons beheld with indignation the flocks of Jacob, and talked as if they only wanted occasion to take back the fruit of his bargain. They counted his share all, and saw his sheep magnified with the eyes of covetousness; while Laban himself, though he said nothing, betrayed in his countenance the same sentiments. Note; (1.) Envious minds cannot bear that others should prosper more than themselves, especially in their own profession. (2.) The things of this world appear glorious to those who place their happiness in them; but they are little in the eyes of him who hath seen by faith the glories of a better.
2. Jacob hereupon resolves to decamp, under the divine guidance and direction. The God of Beth-el, to whom he owed all his success, who directed him by a vision how to act, now bids him be gone, and will protect him in his return. Note; (1.) When worldly prosperity increases, we are most tempted to take up our rest here; it is well then to think of our home in heaven. (2.) While our worldly blessings come as covenant-blessings, they are doubly sweet. (3.) When we have gone out under God’s guidance, we need not fear returning safe.
3. He acquaints his wives with his resolution, but privately, for fear of Laban, and gives them his reasons. Note; The husband, in matters of importance to his family, should consult his wife, who, as the partner of his fortune, should be the partner of his heart. They readily consent, conscious of the truth of his complaints and the justice of his arguments. What Jacob had got was not only his wages, but their just portion; they prefer therefore their husband, as bounden, to their father’s house, and are ready to go wherever or to whatever God is pleased to call him.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Gen 31:16 For all the riches which God hath taken from our father, that [is] ours, and our children’s: now then, whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do.
Ver. 16. For all the riches, &c. ] Here they speak the truth; but offend, (1.) In that they utter it passionately, and with perturbation of spirit; (2.) In that they seem somewhat to obscure God’s blessing; as though it were but their due, as daughters. In dealing with those that have done us wrong, it is hard not to offend, either in the matter or manner of our expressions.
Now then, whatsoever God hath said, &c.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
which God: Gen 31:1, Gen 31:9, Gen 30:35-43
whatsoever: Psa 45:10
Reciprocal: Gen 31:26 – carried Gen 32:5 – have oxen Gen 32:14 – General