Contemplative Bible Reading

Genesis 30:27-28 (Christian Standard Bible)

27 But Laban said to him, “If I have found favor with you, stay. I have learned by divination that the Lord has blessed me because of you.” 28 Then Laban said, “Name your wages, and I will pay them.”

This is part of the (hi)story of Jacob as he lived in the land of his father-in-law Laban. Jacob wants to take his wives—the two daughters of Laban—his children, and all his livestock (worth lots of money), and return to the land of his birth. Laban is resistant to Jacob leaving.

The text tells us that Laban realizes that he has been blessed by Jehovah—the God of the family of Abraham. The source of this realization is divination. This is obtaining knowledge by supernatural means. In this case, somehow God told Laban. And Laban recognized that it was God telling him this. (Some English translations omit the phrase “learned by divination.”)

Laban is not in the line of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Still, God spoke to Laban in some way. Still, Laban recognized that it was God.

At sometimes in some circumstances God speaks directly to some people. I believe that happened in biblical times and I believe it still happens today. That is right in front of us in the Bible. If someone tells me, “I got a message from God.” I should not deny that. Whether I accept it fully is another matter, but it could be true. If the “message from God” contradicts what the Bible clearly teaches, I don’t accept it. Let’s keep open hearts and minds and listen to the heartfelt experiences of others.

It was miraculous that God spoke to Laban. It was miraculous that Laban recognized the message from God. I was a good thing for Laban that he listened.