Laban's sons are pissed at Jacob's selective breeding of the flock and complain. Jacob tells Leah and Rachel their father cheated him since they are still technically property of their father, so they need to know what's going to happen next. They agree.
Jacob and family flee with their flock and property. On the way out, Rachel steals Laban's household gods, which by tradition confer head of household on the possessor. Laban's not going to like this.
Laban and kinsmen pursue. God comes to Laban and tells him not to say a word to Jacob, either good or bad.
Laban catches up with Jacob and tells him he won't kill him, but only because God cam to him. He is pissed about the household gods and demands them. Jacob does not know Rachel took them. As such, Jacob says to search and take what is his.
Laban searches everyone's tents. Rachel puts them in a camel saddle and sits on it. When Laban is searching her tent, he tells her to get off the saddle so he can search it. Rachel, who as we remember, had to have God "open her womb", says she's menstruating. As such, she cannot rise.
Now it's Jacob's turn to be pissed. He says he gave Laban twenty years of labor and Laban cheated him at every opportunity and would not have been rewarded at all but for God interceding on Jacob's behalf. He refers to God as "God of Abraham and Fear of Isaac". I like that "Fear of Isaac" part, implies a threat.
Having cleared the air, Jacob and Laban agree to peace. They build a pillar, witnessed by God, to this. Jacob agrees to take no more wives and both agree to never pass the pillar with the intention of harming the other.
They celebrate with their entourages into the night. In the morning, Laban kisses his daughters and grandchildren and goes home.
GOD'S COMMANDMENT(S):
Genesis 31:24 - Laban is not to say a word to Jacob,
either good or bad. Since Jacob's dead, this should be an easy one to
comply with today.
DIFFICULTY OF FOLLOWING COMMANDMENT(S):
GOD'S DEATH TOLL THIS CHAPTER:
GOD'S RUNNING DEATH TOLL:
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