Something that stood out to me was that Laban ran to meet the servant when, "... he had seen the nose ring, and the bracelets on his sister's arms" (24:22-27). The author of Genesis clearly wanted to point out that Laban's love of material wealth prompted his hospitality.
Now we see just how Laban's love of material wealth divides his family. His son-in-law Jacob looks to run away because of unfair labor practices (changing his wage 10 times) and his daughters support the decision because Laban had sold them (to Jacob) and, "...used up what was paid for [them]" (31:14-16). Rachel and Leah state, "Surely all the wealth that God took away from our father belongs to us and our children."
What a sad family. Not only has Laban's love of possessions turn his daughters against him, but they also have no problem stealing his gods from him(could these be expensive items that come between him and God instead of carved imagines that were worshiped?). Rachel's lie is both direct to her father and indirect to her husband. I am sure it didn't slip her mind to tell Jacob, she had her own love of possessions.
Yes, God can use us in spite of our problems, but we also need to be careful about what we love. The ten commandments were needed to keep lies, stealing and love of items/gods out of the patriarchs' and their wives' lives.
REDEMPTION: How interesting is the difference between the GOODBYE from Laban and the GREETING of Esau. While Laban and Jacob clashed about material goods (even Rachel, Leah and the tribes were seen as items of wealth not family), Esau refused the first offer of Jacob's material wealth and instead wept for joy to see his brother again. Even if Esau's initial refusal was a cultural norm, it presents a clear difference as Laban seemed to care about FORTUNE and Esau about FAMILY.
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