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Laban now sees Jacob as a slave. Genesis 31.29: “It is in my power to do you harm, but the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, ‘Be careful not to speak either good or bad to Jacob.’” Genesis 31.31:
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Laban now sees Jacob as a slave Genesis 31.29: “It is in my power to do you harm, but the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, ‘Be careful not to speak either good or bad to Jacob.’” Genesis 31.31: Then Jacob answered and said to Laban, “Because I was afraid, for I said, ‘Lest you would take your daughters from me by force.’” Genesis 31.43: Then Laban answered and said to Jacob, “The daughters are my daughters, and the children are my children, and the flocks are my flocks, and all that you see is mine.”
I am the God of Beth-el…you made a vow to me! IF: God will be with me… God will keep me on this journey… God will give me food… God will give me clothes to wear… God will return me safely to my father’s house… Then: The LORD will be my God Of all He gives me, I will give a tenth
Teraphim – household idols Called gods in v. 30 Likely used by Laban for divination give direction avoid demise promote prosperity Rachel may have thought they would reveal Jacob’s flight and location. Later Nuzian Law stated that these proved estate ownership/heirship Explains the daughters’ concerns in vv. 14-16 Likely Laban’s motivation to make covenant that Jacob could not return. Jacob had to order these disposed of in 35.2
(between men) Contract vs. Covenant CONTRACT COVENANT a legal instrument binding by law exchange of different things parties provide different things parties have own interests unaffected by character of parties can be rendered null and void includes details of the exchange made before the parties involved subject to the laws of the state a relational agreement binding by oath parties receive the same thing parties provide the same thing parties have common interest dependent upon character of parties can only be kept or broken includes each party’s promise made before God subject to the law of God
Jacob’s 20 years from home • Jacob deceives his father and betrays his brother • Jacob flees from home in fear of Esau • Jacob is deceived by Laban and mistreated 20 years • Jacob flees Haran in fear of Laban • Jacob heads toward Canaan but fears Esau 20 years of Jacob learning to submit to God’s Lordship over his life rather than relying on his own cunning and manipulation. He is learning that God is performing the terms of the vow.