John Calvin Commentary Genesis 30:25

"And it came to pass, when Rachel had borne Joseph, that Jacob said unto Laban, Send me away, that I may go unto mine own place, and to my country." — Genesis 30:25 (ASV)

Send me away, that I may go. Since Jacob had been kept by the offer of a reward for his services, it might appear that he was acting craftily in desiring his dismissal from his father-in-law. I cannot, however, doubt that the desire to return had already entered his mind, and that he sincerely declared his intention.

1. Having experienced, in many ways, how unjust, how treacherous, and even cruel Laban had been, it is no wonder that he would wish to depart from him as soon as the opportunity arose.
2. Since, from the long time that had passed, he hoped that his brother’s mind would be appeased, he could not help but earnestly wish to return to his parents, especially as he had been oppressed by so many troubles that he could scarcely fear a worse condition anywhere else.

But the promise of God was the most powerful stimulant of all to arouse his desire to return. For he had not rejected the blessing which was dearer to him than his own life. To this point his declaration refers, I will go to my own place and to my country; for he does not use this language concerning Canaan only because he was born there, but because he knew that it had been divinely granted to him.

For if he had said that he desired to return merely because it was his native soil, he might have been exposed to ridicule, since his father had lived a wandering and unsettled life, continually changing his home. I therefore conclude that although he might have lived comfortably elsewhere, the oracle of God, by which the land of Canaan had been destined for him, was ever fresh in his memory.

And although, for a time, he submitted to being detained, this did not alter his purpose to depart. For necessity, in part, extorted it from him, since he was unable to extricate himself from the snares of his uncle; and in part, he also voluntarily yielded, so that he might acquire something for himself and his family, lest he should return poor and naked to his own country.

But here Laban's insane wickedness is revealed. After he had almost worn out his nephew and son-in-law with hard and constant toil for fourteen years, he still offered him no wages for the future. The fairness, of which he had initially made such a show, had already vanished.

For the greater Jacob's forbearance had been, the more Laban usurped tyrannical license over him. So the world abuses the gentleness of the pious; and the more meekly they conduct themselves, the more ferociously does the world assail them. But though, like sheep, we are exposed in this world to the violence and injuries of wolves, we must not fear lest they should hurt or devour us, since the Heavenly Shepherd keeps us under his protection.