Bible Discussion Thread

The daughter was to receive some of the dowry from her father. Laban had not given them any family wealth apart from what Jacob had earned. They new that Jacob had prospered their father more than what would ordinarily be a dowry amount, and that their father had spent his wealth. On top of that, Laban had treated his daughters as strangers instead of family. Funny, how Laban claimed Leah and Rachel and the grandkids as his when he confronted Jacob. Laban was greedy. This lack of reception of their father's inheritance probably prompted Rachel to take the family statues/images. Perhaps they were of some value that we do not know about. Sometimes called Teraphim, they were linked to idolatry and perhaps family land ownership.

Here in this chapter, Jacob recounts how it was that his flock grew so large. God showed him in a dream how it would happen. God also reminded him about meeting Him in Bethel and Jacob making a vow to God. The dream and words from God reminded Jacob of what he said to God in this vow, that if the Lord will prosper him and guard him, he would serve God. Now, Jacob saw that God had prospered and guarded him. Now he could trust God for his day to day life and his future.

Jacob was obedient to and set out for home without telling Laban. He knew Laban was untrustworthy and so he wanted to follow God's direction without Laban's interference. He had already been in the land 6 years past when God had first told him to leave in the dream. Now this is the second time God tells him to go home. 3 days into their journey arriving at the mount of Gilead. Laban catches up to him there after God had spoken to him to not mistreat Jacob. When Laban asks Jacob why he left as he did, Jacob says that he was afraid Laban would take his daughters back by force, reneging on the deal that was made 20 years ago. After searching for the household idols, and not finding them on account of Rachel sitting on the pillow she put them under.....see more