Read Genesis Chapter 31

Genesis chapter 31 begins with Jacob having problems with his uncle Laban. Laban was cheating him of his rightful wage. He had already cheated Jacob once by sending Leah to his tent to marry when he was supposed to give him Rachel. Instead he put in seven years of labor for a bride he did not want. In order to have Rachel he had to work an additional seven years. Now Laban was trying to cheat him again. This time he tried to withhold the livestock that Jacob had worked for. God intervened and Jacob got the livestock due him. He left his uncle’s home without saying goodbye. He simply packed up and moved on. God had told him to go back to his own land. He began the journey and was gone for three days before Laban missed him. Rachel had stolen her father’s idols and hid them among her things on a camel. When Laban discovered the theft he set out in pursuit of Jacob. While he chased after Jacob he had a dream. In his dream God warned him not to as much as say a harsh word to Jacob. Therefore when he finally did catch up to Jacob he simply asked him why he had left without saying goodbye. Jacob had not as much as given him the opportunity to throw him a farewell party or anything. Laban told Jacob he was upset by this but that he had been warned by God not to argue with Jacob. Therefore he did not try to harm him in any way. He did ask Jacob why he had stolen his idols. Jacob told him that he had not stolen them. He told Laban that if they were found in the possession of anybody in his camp, the thief would be killed. Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them or he would not have made such a statement. He loved Rachel dearly. However Rachel was able to keep the idols hidden and Laban did not find them. Jacob and Laban struck a peace treaty between them that day and celebrated it by making a sacrifice. The next morning Laban kissed his daughters and grandchildren goodbye and went home.

EXAM QUESTIONS

  1. __________________ worked _______ years for Leah’s

    2. hand in marriage, _____________ years for Rachel’s hand in

    marriage, and ___________ years for livestock.

  2. _______________ tried to ________________ Jacob.

    3. 3. _________________ stole ____________ from her ______.

  3. She hid these ___________ among her ________________

    4. on a ____________.

  4. __________ did not give ____________ the opportunity to

    5. say ______________ to his __________________ and

    ________________. Therefore Laban was ______________.

  5. God _________________ Laban not to say a mean word to

__________________.