Worthless

There are two truths that we can learn about idols from the Scriptures (specifically from Psalm 115). And that is: 1.) They are worthless. 2.) Those who make them and those who trust in them become like them.

Laban is a personification of this second truth in Genesis 31. For in Genesis 31 we see that Laban is an idol worshiper. Verse 19 tells us that Rachel stole her father’s household images, or idols, or household god’s. Because Laban is a worshiper of these false ‘elohim, he becomes as worthless as they are. 

We see this when he first entered stage left in Genesis 24. Upon seeing the ring and bracelets on his sister, Rebekah’s, arms, he ran out to meet the servant of wealthy Abraham perhaps to see what else he could get out of him. We see this again later in the same chapter when he tries to delay Abraham’s servant’s return with Rebekah, again, probably to see what else he could get out of him. We see this in chapter 28 when he swaps Rachel for Leah. In chapter 30 we see Laban’s not so sheepish flock flanker. And we see this also in today’s reading of Genesis 31. 

After Jacob tells Rachel and Leah of their father’s disregard of him, after he recounts to them how their father has cheated him and changed his wages ten times, and after telling them of the Lord’s call to leave the land of Laban, the girls respond in a very telling way. 

They answered Jacob and said to him, “Is there any portion or inheritance left to us in our father’s house? Are we not regarded by him as foreigners? For he has sold us, and he has indeed devoured our money.” What they are saying is that there is no inheritance for them if they stay with Laban. There is no portion. There is nothing here for them. Even their bride price has been consumed by him. He is literally a worthless man, for “a good man,” Proverbs 13:22 tells us, “leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.” 

Like a boat that won't float, those who make and trust in idols become like them. Worthless. And mocked. For the Bible even mocks idols and Genesis 31 is a “vivid (and darkly humorous) example” of such mockery, writes Chad Byrd in his book Unveiling Mercy. He says, “The comedy of the situation is evident: not only are Rachel’s glutes on these gods, but she is menstruating, which made her ritually unclean. These [household gods] are such failures at godhood that they (1) can’t keep themselves from being stolen, (2) can’t do anything about being sat on, and (3) are themselves made unclean. Three strikes, [idols], you’re out of the god game.

So let us today heed the words of Charles Spurgeon who once said that “our business is not to invent a god, but to obey the one Lord who is revealed in the Scriptures of Truth.”