Jacob Runs – Genesis 31:1-22

It is mentioned in this passage that Rachel stole from the family shrine her father’s terephim , a word either signaling idols (images of gods) or representations of ancestors (which were sometimes considered semi-divine).  We’re not told why, but the Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary might help us understand:  “Ancestor images provided a focus for rites related to the care of the dead and also were at times used in divination…At Nuzi, several texts indicate that the principal heir received the family gods. In texts from Emar, one document suggests that the household gods were not to be given to a man outside the family. Rachel would have no right to this portion of the inheritance, nor would Jacob. Laban is logically distressed over this breach of inheritance practices as well as concerned that the care of the ancestors will be jeopardized by the loss of the images. “The family gods were not only the tie between the family unit and its property but also the very heart of the family.”

[1] Now Jacob heard that the sons of Laban were saying, “Jacob has taken all that was our father’s, and from what was our father’s he has gained all this wealth.” [2] And Jacob saw that Laban did not regard him with favor as before. [3] Then the LORD said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you.”

[4] So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah into the field where his flock was [5] and said to them, “I see that your father does not regard me with favor as he did before. But the God of my father has been with me. [6] You know that I have served your father with all my strength, [7] yet your father has cheated me and changed my wages ten times. But God did not permit him to harm me. [8] If he said, ‘The spotted shall be your wages,’ then all the flock bore spotted; and if he said, ‘The striped shall be your wages,’ then all the flock bore striped. [9] Thus God has taken away the livestock of your father and given them to me. [10] In the breeding season of the flock I lifted up my eyes and saw in a dream that the goats that mated with the flock were striped, spotted, and mottled. [11] Then the angel of God said to me in the dream, ‘Jacob,’ and I said, ‘Here I am!’ [12] And he said, ‘Lift up your eyes and see, all the goats that mate with the flock are striped, spotted, and mottled, for I have seen all that Laban is doing to you. [13] I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and made a vow to me. Now arise, go out from this land and return to the land of your kindred.’” [14] Then Rachel and Leah answered and said to him, “Is there any portion or inheritance left to us in our father’s house? [15] Are we not regarded by him as foreigners? For he has sold us, and he has indeed devoured our money. [16] All the wealth that God has taken away from our father belongs to us and to our children. Now then, whatever God has said to you, do.”

[17] So Jacob arose and set his sons and his wives on camels. [18] He drove away all his livestock, all his property that he had gained, the livestock in his possession that he had acquired in Paddan-aram, to go to the land of Canaan to his father Isaac. [19] Laban had gone to shear his sheep, and Rachel stole her father’s household gods. [20] And Jacob tricked Laban the Aramean, by not telling him that he intended to flee. [21] He fled with all that he had and arose and crossed the Euphrates, and set his face toward the hill country of Gilead. (Genesis 31:1–21, ESV)

Jacob is being accused of something he didn’t do.  He has lost favor with his wives’ family.  This, with a message from Yahweh telling him to return to Canaan, moves him consult with his wives about leaving.  He states, though they know it, that Laban has consistently cheated him of his wages, and they agree and understand that such wages should have been set aside for them as a kind of insurance policy.  If their brother is not providing this for them, there is no real protection from being with their family, so they agree they should obey God and  leave.

Jacob leaves when Laban and his sons are busy with shearing the sheep, hoping to slip away unnoticed.  Rachel most likely steals the teraphim because she feels she deserves some inheritance from her family.  Both Jacob and Rachel are cheaters and tricksters.  They head out south for the hill country of Gilead because it has plentiful pastures for their flocks.

It is shameful the dishonesty and greed that attends deaths in the family, where often fights erupt about inheritance and property.