The Definiendum of Laban

Could someone define who is Laban? You say I don't know who Laban is. Yes, you do.

You have plenty of Labans around you. People who manipulate and cover things up. This is the generation of manipulation and cover up. Look at our governments, communities, and democracy. It's rapidly deteriorating because of the people in our community and governments. Everyone wants to be in control. They are making some of the most crucial decision that is motivated by manipulation that brings benefits for them. We have Labans who are school teachers, ushers, deacons, pastors, judges, Republicans, mayors, district attorneys, sports directors, white supremacists, presidents, husbands, wives, sisters, brothers, uncles, granddads, grandmas, children.

Laban is ruling in all types of people from different backgrounds and cultures. We're all selfish, but some of us have a real corner on the weakness. Laban's whole life was stamped by self-centeredness. His chief goal was "out for himself." The way he threatened others was controlled by the goal. He made profitable arrangements for his sister Rebkah's marriage to Issac and wed his daughters' lives as bargaining chips. Jacob eventually outmaneuvered Laban, but the older man was unwilling to admit defeat. His hold on Jacob was broken, he still tried to maintain some kind of control by getting Jacob to promise to be gone for good. He realized that Jacob and Jacob's God were more than he could handle.

On the surface, we may find it difficult to identify with Laban. But his selfishness is one point we have in common.

Like him, we often have a strong tendency to control people and events to our benefit. Our "good" reason for treating others the way we do may simply be a thin cover on our self-centered motives. We may not even recognize our own selfishness. One way to discover it is to examine our willingness to admit we're wrong. Laban could not bring himself to do this. If you're ever amazed yourself by what you say and do to avoid facing up to wrong actions, you are getting a glimpse of your selfishness in action. Recognizing selfishness is painful, but it is the first step on the road back to God.

* Strengths and accomplishments of Laban: Controlled two generations of marriage in the Abrahamic family (Rebekah, Rachel, and Leah) and he was quick-witted.
* Weaknesses and mistakes from Laban: Manipulated others for his own benefits, unwilling to admit wrongdoing, benefited financially by using Jacob but never fully benefited spiritually by knowing and worshiping Jacob's God.
* Lessons from his life: Those who set out to use people will eventually find themselves used and finally God's plan cannot be blocked!

Written by
Jennifer Johnson