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FLEEING HARAN (Genesis 31:17-21)

Text: Genesis 31:22-55
2 October 2012

(I) FLEEING HARAN (Genesis 31:17-21)

1. Wives and children

They sat on camels (Genesis 31:17)

2. Livestock and possessions

a) Livestock

b) Other possessions

3. Rachel’s misdeed (Genesis 31:19)

a) She took the household idols that belonged to her father

b) These idols were used as a customary symbol of the rights of inheritance

4. He and his entire family fled Haran by night for Canaan (Genesis 31:20-21)

(II) LABAN’S PURSUIT

1. He discovered Jacob’s departure three days later (Genesis 31:22)

2. He pursued Jacob “with his men” (Genesis 31:23)

3. It was now a seven day journey (Genesis 31:23)

(III) STERN WARNING FROM THE LORD

1. A dream given to Laban (Genesis 31:24)

2. Content of the word given to Laban

“Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad” Genesis 31:24

(IV) CONFRONTATION BETWEEN LABAN AND JACOB

1. Laban’s words to Jacob

a) Accusation of Jacob’s departure in stealth (Genesis 31:26)

b) No farewell party given to Jacob and family (Genesis 31:27-28)

c) The theft of the household idols (Genesis 31:30)

2. Jacob’s reply

a) He feared Laban (Genesis 31:31)

b) He did not know that Rachel had stolen the household idols

c) He would allow Laban to execute anyone found with the stolen idols (Genesis 31:32)

(V) LABAN’S SEARCH FOR THE HOUSEHOLD IDOLS

1. He searched all the tents (Genesis 31:33)

a) Tent of Jacob

b) Tent of Leah

c) Tent of Bilhah and Zilpah

d) Tent of Rachel

2. In the tent of Rachel (Genesis 31:34-35)

a) Rachel’s tent was searched as well

b) She had stolen the household idols and put them into her camel’s saddle

c) She sat on the saddle while Laban searched her tent

3. Laban did not find the household idols (Genesis 31:35)

(VI) JACOB’S ANGER

1. He rebuked Laban in anger (Genesis 31:36)

2. Content of his word with Laban (Genesis 31:37-42)

a) What is my sin and my trespass? (Genesis 31:36-37)

b) Recalling the past 20 years (Genesis 31:38-42)

i) No miscarriage of the ewes and female goats

ii) Bearing all losses

iii) The hardship of drought (day) and frost (night)

iv) Twenty years of service

v) Many changes of wages

c) Invoking the name of God (Genesis 31:42)

i) The God of Abraham

ii) The Fear of Isaac

iii) Reference to the dream given by God (Genesis 31:29, 42)

(VII) THE COVENANT BETWEEN LABAN AND JACOB

1. Laban offered to make a covenant with Jacob (Genesis 31:43-44)

2. Heap of stones as witnesses (Genesis 31:47-48)

3. Content of the Covenant

a) Jacob will treat his daughters and children well

b) He is not to add more wives

c) They will not cross the boundary set up that day

d) No hostility

4. Concluding the treaty with a sacrifice and a farewell feast (Genesis 31:54)

5. Laban returned to Haran after saying farewell to his daughters and his grandchildren (Genesis 31:55)