Jacob takes his family and flocks and departs without telling Laban. Meanwhile, Rachel secretly takes her father’s household idols. After three days, Laban learns of Jacob’s departure and pursues him. However, God warns Laban in a dream not to harm Jacob. These idols were small gods that someone had made from wood or metal. Laban worshipped these gods.

It reads in Genesis 31:17-24: So Jacob put his children and wives on his camels. He put together all his animals and everything that he had received in Paddan Aram. He took them with him to go to the land of Canaan. He left to go back to his father Isaac. Before they left, Laban had gone to cut the wool from his sheep. While he was away from the house, Rachel took the idols that Laban worshipped in his house. Jacob deceived Laban the Aramean. He did not tell Laban that he was going away. Jacob went away quickly and he took all his things. He went across the Euphrates river. He went towards the hill country of Gilead. After three days, someone told Laban that Jacob had gone away. So Laban took his relatives with him and he followed Jacob. After seven days, he found him in the hill country of Gilead. Then God appeared to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night. God warned him, ‘Be careful what you say to Jacob. Do not say anything good or bad to him.’

Father God, just as You guided Jacob as he stepped into the unknown, give us courage to follow Your path even when we do not see Your full plan. Strengthen our hearts to trust in Your provision, knowing that You go before us and shield us from harm. I love You, thank You, praise You and give You all the honor and glory in Jesus Precious Name Amen.