Jacob Returns Home

1. Jacob Returns Home

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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”