Jacob Flees From Haran

Bethel Mennonite Church – Gladys VA

Genesis 31 opens with Jacob hearing Laban’s sons discussing how Jacob was stealing from their father. Jacob’s flocks had become very large, so he must be stealing. And Jacob also notices that Laban is not feeling kindly towards him like he did when he first came. Jacob has a dream, and in this dream, the Lord tells him to return to the land of his fathers. The Lord promises that he will be with him.

Jacob speaks to Leah and Rachel and tells them that their father is not favorable towards him anymore even though he has worked for him for 20 years. Laban has deceived him and changed his wages 10 times. They agreed that whatever God has said to Jacob, he should do it.

So Jacob, on the sly, put his wives on camels and set out with all his livestock and all his possessions which he had gained while at Haran. Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the household gods.

Laban was told on the third day that Jacob had fled. Laban pursued him and caught up with him after seven days. God told Laban in a dream to be careful how he spoke to Jacob, to speak neither good nor bad. Laban wondered why Jacob had stolen away secretly. He would have liked to have had a party for him.

More than likely, Laban was an angry man. His daughters did not seem to have a relationship with him. Neither did Jacob. Angry men do not know how much people tiptoe around them in order not to upset them.

What about the household gods that Rachel stole and hid in her saddle bags? Did she have a dual allegiance? Do we have dual allegiance? Jesus said we cannot serve two masters. It is very easy for us to try to serve both.

Laban and Jacob met. Laban was angry and had much to say. Then Jacob had much to say. They both aired their grievances. But Laban asked for peace. It was his daughters and grandchildren, his family. They made a heap of stones and made a covenant with each other. The heap of stones would stand to witness the pact the men made. Laban returned to Haran, never seeing Jacob and his family again.

What about the call of God on our lives? He always calls us away from something and to something. Usually, we are not ready to listen to God’s call until we are tired of our current situation. God’s ways are not easy, but they are satisfying.

We need to avoid passivity. It’s easy to avoid difficult conversations. Often things can be settled if we are proactive and don’t let things build over time until they fester. Make peace with other people even if they have offended you in the past.

God will give us the strength to follow the path that He calls us to, and there will be satisfaction at the end.

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