19 And Laban went to shear his sheep: and Rachel had stolen the images that were her father's. 20 And Jacob stole away unawares to Laban the Syrian, in that he told him not that he fled. 21 So he fled with all that he had; and he rose up, and passed over the river, and set his face toward the mount Gilead. 22 And it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob was fled. 23 And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven days' journey; and they overtook him in the mount Gilead. 24 And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad. 25 Then Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mount: and Laban with his brethren pitched in the mount of Gilead. 26 And Laban said to Jacob, What hast thou done, that thou hast stolen away unawares to me, and carried away my daughters, as captives taken with the sword? 27 Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp? 28 And hast not suffered me to kiss my sons and my daughters? thou hast now done foolishly in so doing. 29 It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt: but the God of your father spake unto me yesternight, saying, Take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad. 30 And now, though thou wouldest needs be gone, because thou sore longedst after thy father's house, yet wherefore hast thou stolen my gods? 31 And Jacob answered and said to Laban, Because I was afraid: for I said, Peradventure thou wouldest take by force thy daughters from me. 32 With whomsoever thou findest thy gods, let him not live: before our brethren discern thou what is thine with me, and take it to thee. For Jacob knew not that Rachel had stolen them (Genesis 31:19-32).
Jacob had fled from Laban, and unbeknownst to Jacob, Rachel had stolen Laban’s gods. Well this is significant for several reasons. First, Laban clearly was not a dedicated worshiper of the one true God. Second, Rachel knew that by stealing the gods, Laban would surely come after them. Third, God restrained the actions of Laban against Jacob. Putting this altogether, it appears that the confrontation was planned but the ultimate outcome would come down in Jacob’s favor. We see to that at this time the worship of Yahweh was not widespread and in fact there were few true worshipers of God.
Jacob had fled from Laban, and unbeknownst to Jacob, Rachel had stolen Laban’s gods. Well this is significant for several reasons. First, Laban clearly was not a dedicated worshiper of the one true God. Second, Rachel knew that by stealing the gods, Laban would surely come after them. Third, God restrained the actions of Laban against Jacob. Putting this altogether, it appears that the confrontation was planned but the ultimate outcome would come down in Jacob’s favor. We see to that at this time the worship of Yahweh was not widespread and in fact there were few true worshipers of God.
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