Jacob has turned to God in prayer for deliverance from Esau. Now he comes up with a plan to pacify his brother. When we have prayed to God for help, we must then make an effort, using the means God has provided, to get rid of our problems. Otherwise, we presume and test God when we pray and sit back

Jacob has been told by God to return to Canaan. But now his brother Esau is coming towards him with a small army. Jacob must have wondered if God has brought him out of Laban’s house safely to have him be killed by his brother. In this time of trouble, he doesn’t look to himself and his solutions, but he

Jacob, having finally got clear of Laban, continues on home, probably much relieved. On the way angels of God meet him almost as if to welcome him home to Canaan and to show that God has been caring for him all along whether he can see it or not. When God is going to send us great trials, He often

After Jacob’s outburst against Laban, Laban is left with nothing really to say. He can’t justify himself or blame Jacob. He probably feels guilty for what he has done, but other than claiming one last time that all Jacob has is rightfully Laban’s, making himself the victim once again, he just doesn’t want to talk about things anymore. Laban proposes a

After twenty years of lies, mistreatment, and accusations, Jacob has had enough. The final straw is Laban’s desire to search through everything belonging to Jacob in order to find his stolen idols. Generally, Jacob has preferred to avoid confrontation, both with his brother Esau and with his father-in-law. But Laban’s unreasonableness is too much this time, and Jacob is furious.

God has warned Laban in a dream not to hurt Jacob, but that doesn’t stop Laban from coming up with all sorts of accusations against Jacob when he catches up with him. He says Jacob has acted like a deserter in running away and a criminal in taking his two wives and children. According to Laban, he was all ready

Sometimes it seems that Jacob is completely incapable of doing anything honest and above-board. Here he is, having decided to return home, sneaking away from Laban as fast as he can. Even if he is afraid of Laban’s reaction, surely the same God that has protected and blessed him so far, will protect him from Laban. Jacob is missing an

Jacob’s increased flocks at Laban’s expense has not gone unnoticed, especially by his brothers-in-law who see Jacob gradually getting everything that should have come to them as an inheritance. The envy of these men and their accusations of Jacob stealing his wealth is finally seen by Jacob. He also realises that Laban himself is not treating Jacob the way he

Jacob and Laban have made an agreement that Jacob will work for Laban in exchange for any animals born spotted, speckled, or streaked. At first glance this agreement seems to prevent any form of cheating by either Jacob or Laban. But these two deceivers manage to find a few ways to get around the rules and work things for their

Jacob has been gone from home for a long time. He now has two wives and a large family, and it might seem as though he is going to spend the rest of his life happily working for his father-in-law. But such is not the case. Jacob is ready to go back home. He considers Canaan to be his home