That feeling, that very human emotion, is at the heart of our story today, straight from the Book of Jubilees.

We’re talking about Jacob. Remember Jacob? He of the ladder dream and the trickster uncle? Well, things are starting to look up for him. In fact, they're looking really good. The Book of Jubilees tells us that Jacob’s possessions "multiplied exceedingly." We're not just talking about a few extra goats here. The text specifies oxen, sheep, asses, camels, menservants, and maidservants. Jacob is becoming a man of substance, a force to be reckoned with.

And who's noticing? His uncle, Laban. And Laban isn't exactly thrilled.

The Book of Jubilees is blunt: "Laban and his sons envied Jacob." Envy, that green-eyed monster, rears its ugly head. It’s a feeling that festers, and in Laban's case, it leads to action. "Laban took back his sheep from him," the text says, a clear power move, a way of diminishing Jacob's growing wealth and influence. And the Book of Jubilees adds a chilling detail: "he observed him with evil intent." Laban isn't just passively disliking Jacob's success; he's actively plotting. This isn't just business; it's personal.

Now, timing is everything, isn't it? And right at this moment, a significant event occurs: Rachel gives birth to Joseph. Another son for Jacob, another blessing. But Laban? He’s got shearing on his mind – sheep shearing, that is. "It came to pass when Rachel had borne Joseph, that Laban went to shear his sheep; for they were distant from him a three days' journey."

Why does the text emphasize the distance? Three days' journey… that’s significant. It creates separation, a window of opportunity. While Laban is away, supposedly focused on his own business, what is he really planning? What kind of mischief is brewing during those three days of distance?

The Book of Jubilees leaves us hanging, doesn't it? It sets the stage for conflict, for potential betrayal. It reminds us that even within families, even amidst apparent prosperity, envy and ill intentions can lurk just beneath the surface.

And that, perhaps, is a timeless lesson worth remembering. When things are going well, and even when they aren't, be mindful of who is truly happy for you and who might be watching with a tinge of green. Because sometimes, the greatest threats come from those closest to us.