Background and Context:
Jacob, the son of Isaac and Rebekah, and the twin brother of Esau, is a central figure in the Genesis narrative. After deceiving his brother Esau and obtaining the blessing of the firstborn, Jacob flees to his uncle Laban in Haran to escape Esau's wrath. During his time with Laban, Jacob experiences both hardship and divine favor, which ultimately leads to his prosperity.

Jacob's Service to Laban:
Upon arriving in Haran, Jacob falls in love with Laban's daughter Rachel and agrees to work for Laban for seven years in exchange for her hand in marriage. However, Laban deceives Jacob by giving him Leah, Rachel's older sister, as a wife instead. Jacob then agrees to work another seven years for Rachel. This period of service is marked by Jacob's diligence and Laban's repeated attempts to exploit him.

Divine Favor and Prosperity:
Despite Laban's attempts to take advantage of Jacob, God blesses Jacob with prosperity. After fulfilling his fourteen years of service, Jacob negotiates a new agreement with Laban to work for a portion of the flock. Jacob proposes that he will take all the speckled and spotted sheep and goats as his wages. Laban agrees, thinking he has the better end of the deal. However, God intervenes to ensure Jacob's success.

Genesis 30:37-43 describes how Jacob uses selective breeding techniques, placing peeled branches in the watering troughs to influence the appearance of the offspring. Through this method, Jacob's flocks increase significantly, and he becomes exceedingly prosperous. The passage states, "Thus Jacob became exceedingly prosperous. He owned large flocks, maidservants and menservants, and camels and donkeys."

Laban's Envy:
As Jacob's wealth grows, Laban and his sons become envious. Genesis 31:1-2 notes, "Now Jacob heard the words of Laban’s sons, saying, 'Jacob has taken away all that belonged to our father and built all this wealth at our father’s expense.' And Jacob saw from the countenance of Laban that his attitude toward him had changed."

Laban's envy and changing attitude towards Jacob reflect the tension between the two men. Despite Laban's attempts to control and manipulate the situation, God's favor remains with Jacob, ensuring his prosperity and protection.

Divine Instruction and Departure:
Recognizing the growing hostility, God instructs Jacob to return to his homeland. In Genesis 31:3 , the Lord says to Jacob, "Return to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you." Obeying God's command, Jacob gathers his family and possessions and departs secretly from Laban's household.

Conclusion:
Jacob's prosperity and Laban's envy highlight the themes of divine providence and human struggle. Despite the challenges and deceit he faces, Jacob's reliance on God's guidance leads to his ultimate success and fulfillment of God's promises.