One Story, Two Perspectives: Jacob and Laban’s Divided View

Listen to today’s passage – Genesis 31 – 32 

Follow along on Blue Letter Bible – Genesis 31

(Second Milers also read – Matthew 23 – 24; Proverbs 12; Psalms 56 – 60)

Read the “0112 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read previous posts from this passage – “No More Jacob,” and “Following the Will of God.“

“And he heard the words of Laban’s sons, saying, Jacob hath taken away all that was our father’s; and of that which was our father’s hath he gotten all this glory.” (Genesis 31:1)

The dictionary would define perspective as “a particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view” (Apple Dictionary)

Jacob and Laban’s Sons Saw Things Very Differently

In the very first verse of our text today in Genesis 31, we see that Laban and his sons had a completely different perspective or point of view than Jacob did. From Laban’s family’s perspective, Jacob had received all of his prosperity from Laban: that Jacob had actually taken it from him and his other sons. From their point of view Jacob owed them greatly. However, Jacob had a completely different perspective. He saw things in a completely different way than Laban and his boys. Jacob’s side of the story was that Laban’s family did not have very much when Jacob joined them, and because of the hard work and blessing of God upon Jacob, God had increased both Laban and Jacob tremendously. We know from the text that Jacob’s perspective was right:

” … for I have seen all that Laban doeth unto thee.” (Genesis 31:12)

My point, however, is that Laban and Jacob had completely different perspectives on the exact same set of circumstances. It is like those pictures that were circulating around the internet a while back. The image would be of a dress, and some people would sware that the dress was green, and others were absolutely positive that it was another color. People often see things from different perspectives. 

What do you see in the image below, an old woman or a beautiful young woman?

Again, we know that Jacob’s particular point of view in this case was the accurate one according to God, but that does not change the fact that Laban’s sons truly believed that they were right also. They were not, but they thought they were. They could not see things from Jacob’s persepective. Oftentimes, people see things through the lense of what is in their best interest. Jacob was benefiting more than the sons of Laban were from the arrangement that Laban made with Jacob, so they naturally thought that somehow something was amiss; they thought Jacob must have been stealing from them, which simply was not true. 

We Need to Try to Understand the Other Person’s Perspective

There are a couple of lessons here that I think we need to learn. First, when it comes to conflicts between two people who are in most areas likeminded, there needs to be a sincere attempt to try to understand the other’s perspective: try to see things from their point of view. Oftentimes, if an open mind is kept, conflicts can be easily resolved.

A Gospel-Shaped Perspective

However, when trying to understand people who come from a completely different perspective, a little more care will have to be taken. Christians have a God perspective, especially those believers who are well-grounded in the Scriptures. We see things from God’s perspective (at least for the most part).

A Carnal Perspective

The lost world and even some carnal Christians have a totally different perspective, partially because of the fact that they have been blinded to spiritual Truth. Satan has blinded them:

“In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” (2 Corinthians 4:4)

The lost world believes that Christians are foolish for believing what we do. They simply do not understand us:

“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Corinthians 2:14)

The Need for Transformation

As believers, we need to try to understand that the problem is a spiritual one. We are simply living in two different worlds; we have totally different mindsets or paradigms. There needs to be a paradigm shift. We need to pray that God will open their eyes to the Truth of the gospel. If they were to get saved, the problem of different perspectives would be solved or at least eased. Like you, I get very frustrated watching and listening to the politicians and television personalities who “simply don’t get it.” But, they can’t get it because right now they are blind to the Truth. God needs to open their eyes. We need to pray for them and compassionately love them and try to preach the Truth to them.

Questions for Reflection

• Recall a time when you and someone close to you experienced the same event or situation but interpreted it completely differently. How did differing perspectives affect your relationship, and what might have helped bridge the gap?

• How can sincerely trying to understand another person’s point of view (even if you disagree) lead to better resolution in disagreements among fellow believers?

• Think about someone in your life who seems to “not get” spiritual truths or the gospel. How does recognizing spiritual blindness (2 Corinthians 4:4) change your frustration into compassion?

• This week, who is one person God might be calling you to pray for (that their eyes would be opened to the gospel) or share truth with in love? What practical step will you take?

I would love to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment!