Today’s passage: Genesis 31:1-55
Helpful thoughts:
- The Lord had promised to be with Jacob all the years he was away from the Promised Land and He was. Now, God promises to continue to be with Jacob on the journey back.
- Jacob gives greater detail to how the Lord told him it was time to go. In Jacob’s explanation to his wives (The daughters of Laban), he contrasts the faithlessness of Laban and the faithfulness of God.
- The Hebrew words translated as “Tricked” in verse 20 are literally, “Stole the heart.” Laban defines what his “heart” was when he claimed that Jacob had stolen his daughters, his grandchildren, and his flock. Laban still saw all of these things as rightfully his.
Questions to consider:
- What are the reasons why Rachel might have stolen the household gods from Laban (Given she just encouraged Jacob to follow the Lord’s command)? How does Jacob evidence he knows nothing of the theft?
- From what does this treaty protect both Jacob and Laban? Why did they have to make a treaty of this magnitude? What would have prevented them from simply giving their word? How had they treated each other before?
- How did God fulfill his promise to Jacob? What did Jacob say he would do if God did this (28:20-22)?