When it shall come, &c.— This may be rendered, according to Le Clerc, when it (my righteousness) shall came before thy face, respecting my reward, or as to the matter of my reward. The righteousness of Jacob is said to be about to come before the face of Laban, because it would be manifest from the sight of that flock, which was to be his reward.
REFLECTIONS.—Laban had now experience of his interest in Jacob's stay, and God's blessing upon him; and therefore, though he could part with his daughters and grand-children, he is loth to lose so good a shepherd as Jacob, by whose care he had prospered so greatly. He intreats him therefore to stay. Note; Worldly men can give good words to serve their own ends. To engage him, as his family was large, and his possessions small, and Jacob appeared not unwilling to yield if he had a prospect of providing for his family, he consents to Jacob's proposal, and gives him the speckled and ring-straked sheep for his hire. Thus the matter is put into God's hands, and Laban has no pretext to dispute the property of Jacob. Learn, 1. How wise and cunning worldly men are for their own interests. 2. How vain their caution, when God designs to frustrate their purposes.