Read: Genesis 31
Jacob’s
increasing wealth became a problem in Laban’s household (v. 1). Laban’s sons were jealous of Jacob’s
prosperity, and even Laban started to look at Jacob differently (v. 2). So, God intervened and told Jacob to return
to Canaan, promising to be with him (v. 3).
Jacob then called his wives and explained his reasons for returning to
Canaan, comparing their father Laban with the God of his father. Laban had cheated Jacob but God did not
permit Laban to harm Jacob (v. 7). In
this speech Jacob referred to a dream in which he had received guidance from
the angel of God (v. 11). He continues
describing how God commanded him to return to the land of his kindred (v.
13). God worked against Laban’s schemes
and Jacob now saw God’s faithfulness to him.
Rachel and
Leah responded favorably by describing how their father had disinherited them
(v. 14-15) but that God had provided for them and their children (v. 16). These women knew and understood the true
character of their father – his schemes had also caused them great pain.
Next we find
Jacob packing everything he owned up and preparing to flee to Canaan without
Laban knowing a thing (v. 20). As they
were leaving Rachel secretly stole her father’s household gods and Jacob made
the most of his father-in-law’s absence and left. When Laban found out what had happened, he
gathered some men and pursued Jacob for seven days (v. 23). But God warned Laban to be careful what he
said to Jacob (v. 24). When Laban caught
up to Jacob he questioned why Jacob fled and mentioned that he would have sent
them away with a party (v. 26-27). Laban
wished that he could say goodbye to his grandchildren and explained how their
secret departure was foolish and that he could harm Jacob because of this. He then describes how the Lord spoke to him, and
asked about his household gods (v. 29-30).
Jacob explained that he secretly escaped because he didn’t think that
Laban would let his daughters go (v. 31).
Jacob then says that whoever stole the gods would not live, having no
idea that his beloved Rachel stole them (v. 32).
Laban tried
to find the gods but could not since Rachel hid them well and was now the
deceiver (v. 33-35). Jacob then confronted
Laban. For twenty years Laban had been
controlling Jacob and now Jacob says something about it. Jacob had faithfully served Laban and had
cared for Laban’s herds with integrity and honesty. He had never taken advantage of Laban, even
when he was mistreated (v. 36-41) and God had seen this and had rebuked Laban
in the dream (v. 42).
In spite of
their agreement in the past, Laban still claimed that everything that Jacob owned
was actually his (v. 43). So he suggested
that they make a covenant (v. 44) to protect the future of his daughters and to
keep them from pursing each other in the future (v. 51-52). This concluded the matter and the next
morning Laban departed and returned home (v. 55).
Prayer and Journaling
1. Throughout
the last few chapters we see how Laban really was only looking out for himself
– Laban’s continual sin was covetousness.
If he could benefit he really didn’t seem to care who he wronged or who
had to suffer. He wronged his daughters
and his son-in-law in the process. Ask
the Lord to show you any areas of covetousness that you struggle with. Do you struggle with coveting the possessions
of others, their position, or beauty, or talents, or maybe their vacations, or
houses, or the relationships that they have, etc. Confess as necessary and pray for the Lord to
grow you in contentment.
2. In
the twenty years that Jacob lived in Laban’s household he learned many life
lessons. He learned to trust and depend
on God and was prepared to return home and live life as the promised heir. They were twenty tough years as there was
deception, dishonesty, distrust, fear and jealousy. But through it all God kept his promises and
brought Jacob back to the land of promise.
Take a look at your life. Where
can you see God working in the last five years? Ten years? Fifteen years?
Twenty years? How is He transforming and
growing you into a person that can be used of Him and for His purposes? Spend some time thanking Him for this.
3. Pray
for the people in your life to grow in their relationship with God. Pray that you would be a good living example
of being led by God and following Him.
Pray that you would be quick to obey and listen to God, quick to inquire
of the Lord and to follow through on what He shows you.
