God Protected Jacob’s Return Home in Genesis 31

God commanded Jacob to return home and protected him so that Laban could not harm him. Genesis 31 shows how God was with Jacob from the time he left Laban’s house until they made a covenant. Jacob confessed that his return home took place under God’s word and protection.

Why did Jacob leave Laban’s house?

Jacob heard Laban’s sons speaking about him. They said that Jacob had taken everything from their father and become rich. When Jacob looked closely, Laban’s face was no longer the same as before.

At that time, the LORD said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you.” God also promised to be with Jacob. Jacob’s return home was not merely a move to avoid an uncomfortable relationship; it was a departure in obedience to God’s command.

Jacob called Rachel and Leah to the flock in the field. He explained that he had served Laban with all his strength, but that Laban had changed his wages many times. He also said that God had seen Laban’s behavior and had not allowed him to harm Jacob. Rachel and Leah replied that Jacob should do what God had said.

God was watching Jacob’s situation

Jacob heard the message delivered by the angel of God in a dream. God said that He had seen everything Laban had done to Jacob. He then commanded Jacob to leave that place and return to the land where he was born.

Jacob put his children and wives on camels and set out, leading the flocks and possessions he had acquired. He left without telling Laban and headed toward the hill country of Gilead. Laban heard about this three days later and pursued Jacob with his relatives.

Jacob’s decision also included fear. He explained that he left without telling Laban because he was afraid Laban might forcibly take his daughters away. The passage does not present all of Jacob’s actions as a model. Rather, it clearly shows that God had already seen Jacob’s situation and had commanded him to go back.

How did God protect Jacob from Laban’s pursuit?

When Laban came close to Jacob, God spoke to him in a dream at night. God warned Laban not to say anything, good or bad, to Jacob. Laban also admitted that he had the power to harm Jacob, but that God had stopped him.

Jacob told Laban about the twenty years of labor he had endured. He said that he had borne the heat by day and the cold by night and had made up for losses in the flock himself. He also complained that his wages had been changed many times. At the same time, he confessed that if God had not been with him, he would have returned empty-handed.

Jacob said that God had seen his hardship and the labor of his hands. God’s protection did not work by preventing the pursuit from happening at all. Instead, God warned Laban directly and would not allow him to harm Jacob.

The heap of stones became evidence that they would not harm each other

Laban proposed that he and Jacob make a covenant with each other. Jacob took stones and set them up as a pillar, and the people gathered stones into a heap. The heap and the pillar became evidence that the two men would not cross each other’s boundaries to do harm.

Jacob swore by the God of his father and offered sacrifices on the mountain. He invited the people with him to eat bread. The next day, Laban kissed his daughters and grandchildren and blessed them before returning to his homeland. What began as a threat ended with a promise not to harm each other.

One thing to do today is to read all of Genesis 31 again. As you read, mark the scene where God spoke to Jacob and the scene where He restrained Laban. Then you can see directly in the passage how God’s command and protection are connected in Jacob’s return home.

Text Basis

• Genesis 31:1-16
• Genesis 31:17-35
• Genesis 31:36-42
• Genesis 31:43-55