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 LeftGenesis 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 LabanGenesis 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 CovenantGenesis 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 GodGenesis 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 EsauGenesis 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”