It came to pass, &c.— It is plain, by this verse, Bishop Patrick observes, that the last seven years service for Rachel was now finished, just when Joseph was born; and therefore Jacob desires to be dismissed, having served Laban fourteen years. Usher proves that Jacob was ninety-one years old when Joseph was born (and consequently seventy-seven when he first came to Laban): for in Exodus it appears that Jacob, when he came before Pharaoh, was one hundred and thirty; and Joseph, at that time, but thirty-nine.
Jacob now, after his long absence, began to think of home. The land of Canaan was not only the land of his nativity, but the land of promise; and the seed which should inherit it, began now to multiply. Though he has nothing of his own, he has a good father to go to, who will welcome him and his: or, if not, he can trust God. Note; 1. God will not give mouths without sending meat for them. 2. Every true Christian, however comfortably settled or increased in this world, hath his eye and his heart upon his own country, which is above.