1 Now Jacob heard the words of Laban’s sons, saying, “Jacob has taken away all that was our father’s, and from what belonged to our father he has made all this wealth.” 2 And Jacob saw the attitude of Laban, and behold, it was not friendly toward him as it had been before. 3 Then the Lord said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you.” 

Genesis 31:1-3 (NASB)

Blessing becomes trouble

We just read how Jacob was being blessed more than Laban. His flocks were growing larger and stronger. He “became exceedingly prosperous” (Gen 30:43). Laban’s sons become jealous. They misrepresent the situation and negatively influence Laban. 

Attitude change

Over the past 20 years, Laban was blessed due to Jacob but in these last few years, he started to possibly overtake him in wealth. This, along with his son’s griping, caused Laban’s attitude toward Jacob to change. He was no longer friendly (let alone family) to him. ESV says he no longer favored Jacob.

I will be with you

The Lord, who is always watching out for Jacob, knows that trouble is brewing. It’s also about time Jacob headed back to his home and family. It’s been 20 years. Other than a dream (tomorrow), we do not hear anything about Jacob’s relationship with the Lord during this time other than God was with him blessing him. Now the Lord speaks to him directly and tells him to leave Haram and return home. God’s message to Jacob: “I will be with you.”

This is a big step for Jacob and with a God he doesn’t really know too well. To pick up and move his whole family is a big deal. It’s not unlike his grandfather Abraham’s situation when God called to leave his home for a place that God would tell him of in the future! We’ll see tomorrow how Jacob responded.

RЯeflection

•  How do you respond when God calls you to something different, something outside your comfort zone, something that requires you to change…something that requires faith? Remember that He is with you.