In this daily Bible reading is the account of Jacob taking his family, flocks, and possessions and leaving Haran. Jacob left in secret, not telling his father-in-law, Laban. Jacob feared that Laban would not let Jacob depart with Jacob’s family and possessions. After three days, Laban discovered that Jacob had left and set out in pursuit of Jacob. Laban caught up with Jacob after a seven-day journey.
The night before Laban overtook Jacob, God spoke to Laban telling him not to do any harm to Jacob. Laban obeyed God, though Laban was quite angry with Jacob. They said their goodbyes, and Laban returned to Haran.
As Jacob drew near to his homeland, he sent messengers ahead to tell his brother, Esau, that Jacob was returning home. The messengers returned with news that Esau was coming to meet Jacob accompanied by 400 men. Jacob was then greatly afraid that Esau was coming to do Jacob harm because Jacob had previously deceived Esau. He had stolen Esau’s birthright and blessing from Isaac their father.
Jacob then prayed and humbled himself before God, saying that he was unworthy of God’s help. It was a turning point for Jacob, I believe. He was finally open to declaring God to be his God as well as the God of his father Isaac. Jacob was over 90 years old. Finally, he would truly put his life in God’s hands.
