Jacob Flees From Laban

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Introduction: Jacob’s vow (Genesis 28:20) asked of God both provision and protection. In this lesson, God gives provision and protection to Jacob. However, He also shows Jacob that the provision he receives is definitely from God and not a result of Jacob’s own manipulations. When Jacob’s wages become the marked cattle, he sets about to make the cattle with the right marks be born (30:37-42). But Laban changes his wages ten times (31:7, 41) and makes it impossible for Jacob to influence the outcome. Finally, Jacob realizes that the Lord is the One who is blessing him (31:7-9, 42).  

I.           JACOB AND LABAN AGREE UPON WAGES (30:25-36) 

A.   Jacob Prepares to Leave Laban (v.25-26) 

B.   Laban Offers to Pay Jacob Wages (v.27-28) 

C.   Jacob Offers to Work for Specially Marked Cattle (v.29-33) 

D.   Laban Agrees to Jacob’s Terms (v.34-36) 

II.          JACOB’S HERDS ARE GREATLY INCREASED (30:37-43) 

A.   Jacob Worked to Increase the Marked Cattle (v.37-39) 

B.   Jacob Worked to Strengthen his Cattle (v.40-42) 

C.   Jacob Increased in Cattle and Servants (v.43) 

III.         JACOB DECIDES TO RETURN TO CANAAN (31:1-16) 

A.   Jacob Decides to Return to Canaan (v.1-3) 

1. Laban and his sons turn against Jacob (v.1-2)

2. The Lord tells Jacob to return (v.3) 

B.   Jacob Tells Rachel and Leah of his Decision (v.4-13) 

1. He tells of their father’s injustice to him (v.4-8)

2. He tells of God’s blessing to him (v.9)

3. He tells of God’s dream to him (v.10-13) 

C.   Rachel and Leah Support Jacob in his Decision (v.14-16) 

IV.        JACOB FLEES FROM LABAN (31:17-24) 

A.   Jacob Flees While Laban Shears his Sheep (v.17-21) 

B.   Laban pursues After Jacob and Overtakes Him (v.22-24) 

V.         LABAN CATCHES JACOB IN MOUNT GILEAD (31:25-42) 

A.   Laban Makes his Accusations Against Jacob (v.25-30) 

B.   Jacob Allows Laban to Seek for his Gods (v.31-35) 

C.   Jacob Makes his Accusations Against Laban (v.36-42) 

VI.        LABAN MAKES A COVENANT WITH JACOB (31:43-55) 

A.   Jacob and Laban Make a Heap of Stones (v.43-47) 

B.   Jacob and Laban Make a Covenant Between Them (v.48-53) 

C.   Jacob Makes a Sacrifice to the Lord (v.54) 

D.   Laban Returns to Haran in Peace (v.55) 

Conclusion: It is God who gives us “power to get wealth” (Deuteronomy 8:18). He is the One who has promised to provide for us (Philippians 4:19). We need to work with the best of our ability and effort (Genesis 31:6, 38-40; Colossians 3:23). But we need to know that God deserves credit for every blessing that we receive. Also, we see God’s protection of Jacob from Laban. However, God’s protection of Jacob will be seen more when we study Jacob’s encounter with his brother Esau in the next two chapters.

MEMORY VERSES:

1. John 19:11
2. Genesis 30:27
3. Philippians 4:19