Take heed to thyself that thout speak not to Jacob either good or bad (Gen. 31:24). From this episode we learn that the merit acquired from labor may be helpful even when the influence of one’s ancestors is not. It is written: Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the Fear of Isaac, had been on my side (Gen. 31:42). This implies that the merit of Jacob’s ancestors saved him financially, but it is followed by: God hath seen mine affliction and the labor of my hands, and gave judgment yesternight (ibid.), which indicates that He warned him not to harm Jacob because of the merit of the work he had performed.
This teaches that a man must not say: “I will eat and drink and enjoy the good things of life, but I will not work, for heaven will protect me.” It is said: Thou hast blessed the work of his hands (Job 1:10). Hence, a man must work and labor with both hands before the Holy One, blessed be He, will send his blessing.
And Jacob was wroth, and strove with Laban. And Jacob answered and said to Laban: “What is my trespass? What is my sin?” (Gen. 31:36). These verses teach us: The fury of the patriarchs is preferable to the gentleness of their descendants. Though it is written: And Jacob was wroth and strove with Laban, notice that he said to him at the height of his anger: What is my trespass? What is my sin? But concerning David, who was so gentle that he would not turn his hand against Saul, it is written: Nay, but the Lord shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall go down into battle, and be swept away (I Sam. 26:10).
This heap is witness between me and thee (Gen. 31:48). Scripture states elsewhere in reference to this verse: And crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall (Num. 22:25). The heap alluded to in our text was the very wall at which Balaam violated the promise he had made to Jacob, as it is said: I will not pass over this heap to harm you (Gen. 31:52). Balaam and Laban were one and the same, for it is said of him: An Aramean was destroying my father (Deut. 26:5). Balaam was called an Aramean, because he desired to annihilate Israel, as is said: Come, execrate Israel (Num. 23:7). Hence, it was the very wall that had borne witness to the oath that he had made that called him to account, as is written: The hand of the witness shall be first upon him (Deut. 17:7). And Jacob swore by the Fear of his father, Isaac (Gen. 31:53). This righteous man did not swear by the name of the king, but rather on the life of his father. He did it just as a man who desires to prove the truth of this remarks says: “I swear by the life of my father.” He swore this oath only out of respect, as is written: A son shall honor his father (Mal. 1:6).