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¹ And he heard the words of Laban’s sons, saying, Jacob hath taken away all that was our father’s; and of that which was our father’s hath he gotten all this glory.
² And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before.
³ And the Lord said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee.
⁴ And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field unto his flock,
⁵ And said unto them, I see your father’s countenance, that it is not toward me as before; but the God of my father hath been with me.
⁶ And ye know that with all my power I have served your father.
⁷ And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me.
⁸ If he said thus, The speckled shall be thy wages; then all the cattle bare speckled: and if he said thus, The ringstraked shall be thy hire; then bare all the cattle ringstraked.
⁹ Thus God hath taken away the cattle of your father, and given them to me.
¹⁰ And it came to pass at the time that the cattle conceived, that I lifted up mine eyes, and saw in a dream, and, behold, the rams which leaped upon the cattle were ringstraked, speckled, and grisled.
¹¹ And the angel of God spake unto me in a dream, saying, Jacob: And I said, Here am I.
¹² And he said, Lift up now thine eyes, and see, all the rams which leap upon the cattle are ringstraked, speckled, and grisled: for I have seen all that Laban doeth unto thee.
¹³ I am the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred.
¹⁴ And Rachel and Leah answered and said unto him, Is there yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father’s house?
¹⁵ Are we not counted of him strangers? for he hath sold us, and hath quite devoured also our money.
¹⁶ For all the riches which God hath taken from our father, that is ours, and our children’s: now then, whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do.
¹⁷ Then Jacob rose up, and set his sons and his wives upon camels;
¹⁸ And he carried away all his cattle, and all his goods which he had gotten…
¹⁹ And Laban went to shear his sheep: and Rachel had stolen the images that were her father’s.
²⁰ And Jacob stole away unawares to Laban the Syrian, in that he told him not that he fled.
²¹ So he fled with all that he had; and he rose up, and passed over the river, and set his face toward the mount Gilead.
²² And it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob was fled.
²³ And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven days’ journey…
²⁴ And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.
²⁵ Then Laban overtook Jacob…
²⁶ And Laban said to Jacob, What hast thou done…
²⁷ Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly…
²⁸ And hast not suffered me to kiss my sons and my daughters? thou hast now done foolishly in so doing.
²⁹ It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt: but the God of your father spake unto me yesternight…
³⁰ And now, though thou wouldest needs be gone… yet wherefore hast thou stolen my gods?
³¹ And Jacob answered and said to Laban, Because I was afraid…
³² With whomsoever thou findest thy gods, let him not live…
³³ And Laban went into Jacob’s tent…
³⁴ Now Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the camel’s furniture…
³⁵ And she said to her father, Let it not displease my lord…
³⁶ And Jacob was wroth, and chode with Laban…
³⁷ Whereas thou hast searched all my stuff…
³⁸ This twenty years have I been with thee…
³⁹ That which was torn of beasts I brought not unto thee…
⁴⁰ Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me…
⁴¹ Thus have I been twenty years in thy house…
⁴² Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me…
⁴³ And Laban answered and said unto Jacob, These daughters are my daughters…
⁴⁴ Now therefore come thou, let us make a covenant…
⁴⁵ And Jacob took a stone, and set it up for a pillar.
⁴⁶ And Jacob said unto his brethren, Gather stones…
⁴⁷ And Laban called it Jegarsahadutha: but Jacob called it Galeed.
⁴⁸ And Laban said, This heap is a witness between me and thee this day…
⁴⁹ The Lord watch between me and thee…
⁵⁰ If thou shalt afflict my daughters…
⁵¹ And Laban said to Jacob, Behold this heap…
⁵² This heap be witness…
⁵³ The God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor… judge betwixt us. And Jacob sware by the fear of his father Isaac.
⁵⁴ Then Jacob offered sacrifice upon the mount…
⁵⁵ And early in the morning Laban rose up, and kissed his sons and his daughters, and blessed them: and Laban departed, and returned unto his place.
🏞️ Deliverance from Deception: Jacob’s Breakaway and God’s Command 🏞️
“And the LORD said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee.” – Genesis 31:3
Genesis 31 is a powerful narrative of deliverance and transition. After twenty years under Laban’s authority, Jacob receives a divine command to return to the land of promise. This chapter unveils not only Jacob’s courage to obey but also the deceptive practices he endured, his growing family’s plight, and God’s ever-present protection. Through confrontation, covenant, and obedience, Jacob’s story mirrors the journey of many believers who are called to leave bondage and walk into promise.
📜 Structure of Genesis Chapter 31
Verses 1–3: The LORD’s Call to Return
Jacob notices Laban’s attitude has soured, and God speaks clearly: it’s time to return home. Though the land of promise still holds uncertainty, God assures Jacob of His presence and protection—echoing the original promise from Genesis 28:15.
Verses 4–16: Jacob Confronts Rachel and Leah
Jacob calls his wives to the field and recounts Laban’s deceit—changing his wages ten times. Yet God did not allow Laban to hurt him. Rachel and Leah agree to leave, acknowledging their father’s betrayal and affirming Jacob’s obedience to God. Their unified support is crucial.
Verses 17–21: The Secret Departure
Without telling Laban, Jacob flees with his wives, children, and flocks. Rachel steals her father’s idols (teraphim), perhaps to claim inheritance or out of superstition. The secrecy signals both the danger Jacob felt and the urgency to follow God.
Verses 22–35: Laban Pursues Jacob
Three days later, Laban discovers the flight and pursues Jacob for seven days. When he catches up in Gilead, God warns Laban in a dream: “Speak not to Jacob either good or bad.” Laban confronts Jacob, searching for his idols—but Rachel cleverly hides them.
Verses 36–42: Jacob’s Rebuke
Jacob, angered by the false accusation, recounts his faithful service under harsh conditions. He declares that it was God—the “fear of Isaac”—who protected and prospered him. His words are a strong testimony of divine justice and provision.
Verses 43–55: A Covenant of Peace
Laban acknowledges he can’t harm Jacob and proposes a covenant. They erect a stone heap called Galeed (Hebrew) and Mizpah (Aramaic), symbolizing a watch between them. A solemn farewell follows, and Jacob continues toward Canaan, free from Laban’s control.
💡 Key Themes
✨ Obedience to God’s Command
Jacob’s decision to leave Laban was not made lightly—it was a direct response to God’s command (v. 3). His obedience, even under threat, is a model of faith in divine direction.
✨ God’s Protection from Injustice
Though Jacob was wronged for years, God did not allow him to be destroyed (v. 7). This illustrates that no earthly deceit can override divine favor and justice.
✨ Transition and Freedom
This chapter is a major turning point: Jacob leaves servitude behind and begins the journey toward his divine inheritance. It echoes Exodus-like themes of freedom and covenant.
👤 Key People
- Jacob – Now a mature patriarch, Jacob obeys God’s voice and courageously leaves Laban’s house.
- Rachel – Plays a complex role, showing both loyalty and cunning by stealing the idols and deceiving her father.
- Leah – Stands with Jacob, revealing her disillusionment with her father’s greed.
- Laban – A master manipulator whose pursuit ends in a reluctant peace.
- God – The divine protector who commands, watches, warns, and delivers.
🔥 Why This Chapter Matters
Genesis 31 is a story of release. Just as the Lord called Jacob out of bondage to step into promise, He calls each of us to break away from the things that enslave and trust His leading. The chapter demonstrates that God sees, speaks, and secures His people through every trial.
“If God be for us, who can be against us?” – Romans 8:31
💭 Let’s Reflect
- What are you holding onto that God is calling you to leave behind?
- How have you seen God protect you when others tried to deceive or harm you?
- Are you willing to obey even when the path ahead looks uncertain?
❓Ready to Go Deeper?
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