Jacob Prospers and Leaves Laban

Jacob’s Prosperity (Genesis 30:25-43)

Jacob requests to leave Laban after Joseph’s birth.

Laban desired for Jacob to stay because God had been blessing him because of Jacob.

Jacob negotiates part ownership of the herd.

Jacob will receive all of the sheep that are not totally white.

Laban removes all of Jacob’s goats and sheep from the herd and puts distance between his herds and Jacob’s herds.

Jacob made a plan to counteract Laban’s strategy.

He set out peeled branches in the water channels where the animals would breed.

He made the flocks face the streaked and completely dark sheep in Laban’s flocks.

The result of God’s blessing of Jacob is that Jacob becomes very rich.

Jacob leaves Laban (Genesis 31:1-21)

Jacob became aware of a growing rift between himself and Laban’s sons.

God directed Jacob to go back home and Jacob tells his family.

Rachel and Leah saw how their father had not acted in their best interests.

Jacob left without telling Laban he was leaving.

The confrontation with Laban. (Genesis 31:22-55)

Jacob got a three day head start on Laban, but Laban caught up with Jacob.

Apparently, Laban wanted to hurt Jacob because God warned him not to cause any harm to come to Jacob.

Laban voiced his grievances.

Somebody stole his household gods.

Jacob voiced his fear and rashly offers to execute whoever took the idols.

Laban searched for his missing idols and Rachel used her cycle to conceal the theft.

Jacob’s covenant with Laban (Genesis 31:36-55)

Not finding anything, Jacob aired more of his pent up issues with Laban.

Jacob pointed out that any loss Laban suffered, Laban demanded Jacob to pay for it.

Laban kept changing the deal on Jacob.

The only way that Jacob was able to make it was because God was with him.

The decision is reached that they must part ways for the benefit of the family.

A marker is set up and Laban named the place one thing, but Jacob re-named it.

The terms of the covenant are defined, Jacob and Laban part ways.

Jacob is to take proper care of Laban’s daughters since Laban will not be there to protect them.

The mound will serve as a borders between the two families.

Jacob Prospers and Leaves Laban