Genesis 30:28

Appoint me thy wages. Inasmuch as the second period of seven years terminated about the time of Joseph’s birth, Jacob requested Laban’s permission to return to Canaan (v. 25). Laban, however, was ill-disposed to lose so valuable a man, and yet was at a loss for a stratagem by which to keep him longer. The fact that he invited Jacob to state his wages did not prevent him from changing them ten times during the six years (ch. 31:7). Back of Laban was the evil one, intent upon thwarting God’s plan by preventing, if possible, Jacob’s return to the Land of Promise.