52. Jacob fled again (Gen 31:1-21)

Finally, the Lord told him to return to the land of promise. Jacob fled from Laban’s house.

Read πŸ‘‰Gen 31:1-21

What was His promise when the Lord commanded Jacob to return to Canaan? (3)

 

Jacob sent a message to his wives while still in the field. He said, “Laban was mean to me, but God blessed me (verses              ). In a dream, the Lord confirmed that the Lord blessed me because of Laban’s deeds (verses             ). Now, He asked me to return to Canaan (verses             ).

Though Jacob experienced the Lord’s graceful blessing, he used it to generate [              ] in their hearts toward their father. (14-16, but not from the text)

Answers & Meditation

I will be with you

When blessing came to Laban because of Jacob, he was friendly. But, when no blessing came anymore, he changed his face.

5-9, 10-12, 13

Though he said it was the Lord who snatched away Laban’s lambs and gave them to him (9), he really meant it by putting peeled branches when healthy sheep were mating.

God blessed Jacob mainly because of His promise. However, Jacob focused on accusing Laban, saying the Lord's blessing came to him because of Laban's evil toward him. 

hatred

Jacob used God’s name and blessing to accuse Laban and stimulated hatred between Laban and his wives. And thus, he manipulated them to decide to leave their father’s house.

Jacob's sudden departure was not good. A literal translation of verse 20 is this. "Jacob stole Laban's heart and left without informing him, so he ran away." Although Laban was not honest with Jacob, Laban was his father-in-law. He got rid of the chance for Laban to have a warm goodbye with his daughters and grandchildren. 

Because God had told him to leave, he should have told Laban first with confidence that God would make Laban let him go. But Jacob didn't trust God.

Jacob had needed to depart earlier in chapter 30:25. But he stayed for wealth. Now, Jacob cannot stay with them anymore.

If you follow wealth and success, not God’s will and His calling, you might encounter an urgent situation like Jacob did. He fled without a warm farewell. 

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