Many preachers have been critical of Laban’s treatment of Jacob during Jacob’s time with his uncle.
I am sure Laban has his side of the story to tell….his perspective.
Laban and Jacob were family. As leaders of congregations many of us have relatives sitting in our congregations. We know this about our relatives … they know all our secrets. They are fully knowledgeable about all the events of our life. They know our strengths and our weaknesses. They can recapture with great joy, as if it happened yesterday all your failings from 20 years ago.
Could this have possibly happened to Laban as he remembered the
events surrounding the birth of his sister’s child.
That he had an obligation to take in a member of his family.
Gen 29:14
14 And Laban said to him, “Surely you are my bone and my flesh.” And he stayed with him for a month.
With a name like Jacob, meaning a supplanter, deceiver or a rogue it must have been difficult for Laban to give this young man a free reign over his field. No wonder God changed the boy’s name.
The word “supplanter” simply means one who takes the place of someone else, often by trickery or by force.
Jacob was perfectly named by his parents. He immediately started “supplanting” during his birth (Gen 25:26). He continued to take the possession of others…his brother’s birthright; his father’s blessing (Gen 27: 1-29)
It would seem that Jacob’s reputation preceded him as he came into Laban’s field. Hence the 20 year relationship.
We can fast track everything, except a relationship. Relationships have to be built. In this season we desire marriage; not a casual affair. In fact there is one relationship that can be fast tracked…it is the one with the harlot whose sole focus is on concluding a financial transaction.
JESUS IS LOOKING FOR A BRIDE.
What is your view?
CCF International Church 
jairus
do you want to be a bride or do you want to be a wife….. you can decide.
GOOD OR BAD RAP-LABAN IN QUESTION.
LABAN IS CONSTITUTED WITH AN UNCLE SPIRIT, HE HAS NO DESIRE OF TRUE COVENANT,RATHER HE WILL USE YOU TO BUILD HIS FIELDS AND HOUSES EVEN HIS NAME. IF THIS IS HOW HE CHOOSES TO OPERATE THEN GOD WILL USE AN OPERATING SYSTEM THAT HE IS FAMILIAR WITH.GOD USES LABAN AS A TOOL TO SHAPE JACOB WHO LATER BRINGS FORTH THE 12 TRIBES.IF JACOB STAYED WITH LABAN AND HE BECAME THE FATHER OF JACOB HE WOULD SURELY TAKE THE CREDIT, THE SCRIPTURES WOULD THEN RECORD ABRAHAM ISAAC LABAN AND JACOB BUT IT IS NOT SO. I BELIEVE THAT GOD USES LABAN TO SHAPE JACOB SO HE WOULD BE ABLE TO USHER IN THE 12 TRIBES. IF JACOB WAS FATHERED BY ISAAC AND LABAN BECAME THE NEW FATHER, THIS WOULD MAKE JACOB NOT JUST A SUPPLANTER BUT ALSO A BASTARD.THANK GOD THAT IN HIS 20 YEARS OF CAPITIVITY HE BECAME STRONG OR MAYBE FORCED TO BECOME STRONG, THIS PERSECUTION/INJUSTICE TAUGHT HIM HOW TO PRODUCE AND OPERATE IN DOMINION. ONE WAY I KNOW THAT JACOB WAS A FATHER HE HAD 12 SONS. WE NEED THE LABANS TO HELP US EXAMINE OURSELVES. THEY HAVE A WAY OF HIGHLIGHTING OUR BLIND SPOTS. (MY OPINION)
God had a way of honouring Leah even though it was not Jacobs intention of taking her a wife. She was first to conceive and deliver sons before Rachel.
Jacob still served another 7 years for Rachel because of the love which had for her. Therefore we could say that Jacob had a bad rap or not? Because he knew how to take care of the sheep that they never miscarried and no beast devoured them. He also knew how to shepherd and nuture those people in Labans household in order that he could have his own line preserved on the earth. Even though Jacob loved Rachel and God blessed and prospered Joseph and Benjamin. But God allowed Jesus to come forth from the line of Judah. If we must become the bride we must understand design, because it is our design that determines our function.
We welcome Amanda as a new correspondent to the “What’s your view?” forum.