Genesis 31:17-35

Key points:

Laban was not left destitute; he still had some flocks to care for. Vs. 19: He was shearing his sheep when he heard of Jacob’s leaving

Rachel took the idols that belonged to her dad, Laban. Why did she take them?
Could’ve been a sign that the family inheritance would go to her husband.
Could’ve been because Rachel didn’t trust completely in God. She may have felt like she needed the gods.
Could’ve been Rachel’s way of getting even with her dad and making him mad.

Jacob went across the river. This is the Euphrates River. He was headed toward Gilead, where he crossed the Jordan River and then went to Mount Gilead. The other name for Mount Gilead is Mount Gilboa (where Saul and Jonathan were killed during battle).

Laban had to get his servants and family together before going after Jacob. He intended to kill Jacob and get his daughters and grandchildren back, plus his flocks and wealth.

God spoke to Laban in a dream and told him not to speak to Jacob bad or good. This shows God’s protection over Jacob. God knew what Laban wanted to do and knew Laban’s heart and real intentions.

Laban accuses Jacob of taking his daughters by force with swords and stealing away (sneaking) during the night.

Laban is most likely lying when he says he would have had a going-away party for the family before they left. As we know from the previous chapter, Laban was willing to do most anything to keep Jacob from leaving.

Laban searches the tents for his gods but didn’t find them.

If you can steal someone’s god and sit on it, then it’s not a god.