Jacob Returns Home

God Told Jacob to Return Home Genesis 31:1-13 Laban ceased to believe God blessed him because of Jacob God told Jacob to return home Jacob told his wives, noting Laban’s change of attitude along with frequent changes in pay for service rendered in the 6 years since he paid for Rachel God protected him by causing the flocks to bring forth abundantly the new type of animals designated for pay

Jacob Left Genesis 31:14-21 Rachel and Leah agreed they should follow the Lord’s direction They saw God had provided for them even when their father had not None of the money from Jacob’s 14 years of service for them was left, though they would have customarily received a portion as personal dowry While Laban was shearing sheep, Jacob and his family packed up and left Rachel stole her father’s household idols

Laban Pursues Jacob Genesis 31:22-30 After 3 days, Laban was told of Jacob’s departure He and his men overtook Jacob’s company on the 7th day in the mountains of Gilead God warned Laban the night before not to hurt Jacob Laban questioned Jacob as to why he had stolen away and why he had taken his household gods As head of his family, Laban could have acted violently, but he noted God had warned him not to hurt Jacob

Jacob Responds to Laban Genesis 31:31-42 He said he feared he would have taken away his wives if he told of his plan to leave He said he had not taken the idols He promised the one in whose possession they were found would be slain Rachel hid them under her saddle and sat on it Laban found nothing and was rebuked by Jacob for pursuing and accusing him Jacob reminded him that he had served faithfully for 20 years

Jacob and Laban Made a Covenant Genesis 31:43-55 Laban claimed he would not hurt his own family Laban asked Jacob to make a peace covenant Jacob had his brethren gather stones into a pile He and Laban named the place “heap of witness” Jacob prayed and they both promised not to pass the heap to do one another harm Jacob made a sacrifice and shared a meal The next morning, Laban kissed his family and returned home

Preparing to Meet Esau Genesis 32:1-21 Along the way, angels met Jacob He called the place Mahanaim, or two camps Jacob divided his group into 2 camps He prayed God would deliver him as he promised He sent a gift of goats, rams, milk camels with their colts, cows, bulls, donkeys and their foals to Esau Each group was made its own drove and the servants were to tell Esau it was a gift from Jacob

Wrestling with God Genesis 32:22-32 After taking his wives and children over the brook, Jacob remained in the camp alone He wrestled all night with an angel The angel dislocated Jacob’s hip Jacob clung to him and asked for a blessing The angel said he would no longer be known as Jacob, but Israel, or “one who strives with God” He called the place Peniel, or “the face of God” The children of Israel do not eat the sinew of animals’ hips because Jacob was made to limp

Reunion with Esau Genesis 33:1-11 Jacob divided his family into 3 groups The handmaids with their children, Leah with her children and Rachel with Joseph Bowing to the ground 7 times before Esau showed Jacob’s humility Esau embraced and kissed him Israel identifies his children as a blessing Israel said seeing Esau’s forgiving face was like seeing God’s face Israel insisted Esau keep the gifts he had given him

Jacob Settles at Shechem Genesis 33:12-20 Israel declined Esau’s offers They would not journey together since the cattle and children would be slow They would not need help from Esau’s men He would settle and come to Seir to visit Israel journeyed on to Succoth Later, he moved to Shechem He bought a piece of land from the children of Hamor He built an altar and worshiped God, calling the place El Elohe Israel, or “God, the God of Israel”