Genesis 31 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

Genesis 31

WHEN:

• The exact date of Jacob’s return to Canaan is not known, but using information throughout Genesis, it seems likely it occurred between 1745-1725 B.C.

CHARACTERS:

• Jacob – The son of Isaac and Rebekah and twin brother of Esau.

• Laban – The brother of Rebekah who lived in Haran.

• Leah – Laban’s oldest daughter. She is described as having “weak” eyes.

• Rachel – The daughter of Laban. She was a shepherdess of her father’s flocks in Haran. She is described as “beautiful in form and appearance.”her and bore him two sons.  

WHERE:

• Jacob lived in Haran for 20 years but returned to Canaan at the end of Genesis 31.

OUTLINE:

• JACOB, LEAH, AND RACHEL DETERMINE TO LEAVE LABAN’S HOUSE (31:1-16):

  • As Jacob grew wealthier, Laban’s sons started grumbling about him, saying he was only rich because he took what belonged to their father.

  • God appeared to Jacob and told him to return to his father in Canaan.

  • Jacob called Leah and Rachel and told them he wanted to leave.

  • He reminded them how Laban had not been honest with them in their business dealings, but how God had blessed them despite Laban.  

  • He told them how the angel of the God appeared to him, just as He had in Bethel, and instructed him to make the journey to his homeland.

  • Leah and Rachel were aware of their father’s dishonesty, and they agreed to return to Canaan with Jacob.

• JACOB’S FAMILY FLEES FROM LABAN (31:17-21):

  • Jacob’s family quietly gathered all their belongings and fled south out of Laban’s land when he was off shearing his sheep.

  • Rachel stole her father’s household idols and hid them in her luggage.

• LABAN PERSUES JACOB (31:22-25):

  • It took Laban 3 days to discover Jacob had fled. As soon as he discovered it, he took his relatives and pursued Jacob’s caravan for 7 days.

  • God came to Laban in a dream and told him not speak either good or bad to Jacob.

• LABAN CONFRONTS JACOB (31:26-43):

  • Laban was angry that Jacob fled in secret and didn’t give him a chance to say goodbye to his daughters and grandchildren, and he demanded to know why Jacob stole his idols.

  • Jacob told Laban he fled in secret because he was afraid Laban would take his wives by force.

  • He denied stealing Laban’s idols and permitted him to search his house.

  • Laban searched but couldn’t find the idols because Rachel deceived him by hiding them in camel’s saddle which she was sitting on.  

  • Jacob became angry and berated Laban for assuming he stole the idols and for his years of dishonest during the 20 years Jacob served him.

  • He told Laban God had sustained him, even though he had ripped him off.

• THE COVENANT OF GALEED (31:44-55):

  • Jacob and Laban agreed to make a covenant of peace between them.

  • They gathered stones and made a heap and a pillar as a witness of their pact.

  • Jacob offered a sacrifice to the Lord and ate with his relatives.

  • In the morning, Laban kissed his daughters and grandchildren and returned home.

APPLICATION:

• Dishonesty and deceit will keep you running from your past and will cause you to lose the things you love the most.  

• Jacob had to flee his home in Canaan because he lied to his father and stole the blessing that belonged to his brother.

• Laban lost his family due to his dishonesty and they ran away from him because he wasn’t trustworthy.

• It’s better to be honest and up-front in our relationships.

• Honesty isn’t always easy, but it is necessary to retain the people we love the most.