John Calvin Commentary Genesis 31:4

"And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field unto his flock," — Genesis 31:4 (ASV)

And Jacob sent. He sends for his wives to explain his intention to them and to exhort them to accompany him in his flight, for it was his duty as a good husband to take them away with him; and therefore, it was necessary to inform them of his design.

And he was not so blind as to be unaware of the many dangers of his plan. It was difficult to convey women, who had never left their father’s house, to a remote region by an unknown journey. Moreover, there was reason to fear that, in seeking protection for themselves, they might betray their husband to his enemies.

In such a state of distress, the courage of many would have failed them to such an extent that they would have disregarded conjugal fidelity to provide for their own safety. Jacob, therefore, acted with great constancy in choosing to expose himself to danger rather than fail in his duty as a good husband and head of the family.

If his wives had refused to accompany him, the call of God would have compelled him to depart. But God granted him what was far more desirable: his whole family unanimously prepared to follow him. Moreover, his wives, whose mutual quarrels had previously filled his house, now freely consented to go with him into exile.

So the Lord, when in good faith we discharge our duty and avoid nothing that He commands, enables us to succeed, even in the most uncertain matters.

Furthermore, from the fact that Jacob calls his wives to him in the field, we infer what an anxious life he led. Certainly, it would have been a primary convenience of his life to live at home with his wives.

He was already advanced in age and worn down with many labors; and therefore, he had the greater need of their service. Yet, satisfied with a cottage in which he might watch over his flock, he lived apart from them. If, then, Laban and his sons had possessed even a shred of fairness, they would have found no cause for envy.