Homeward Bound – Genesis 31:1-55

I was a student at Maranatha Baptist Bible College from 1976-1980. Though I enjoyed Bible College, it was always exciting to go home twice each year. It was an eight-hour drive for me to go home and I usually gave a ride to a friend or two who lived in my home area. When the day arrived, I made sure the car was full of fuel and all our things packed. As soon as we were dismissed from school, we jumped in the car and took off. The feeling of being homeward bound was always a thrill.

I have an idea that Jacob had a similar feeling when he finally began his trip home.

Transition

In this chapter, God reveals to us four events that took place as Jacob headed home, from which we can learn practical lessons.

The Departure (v.1-21)

The reason for departing
1. Laban and his sons were unhappy that God was blessing Jacob and not them (v.1-2).
2. God told Jacob to return home (v.3). The Lord was still directing Jacob. He wants to do the same for us.V (Proverbs 3:5-6) “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
The plan for departure
1. Jacob communicated with his wives (v.4).
  1. He spoke of his hard work and loyalty (v.5)
  2. He reminded them of Laban’s deceit (v.7-8)
  3. He told them of God’s intervention (v.9-13)
2. They made a joint decision to leave (v.14-16)O Lack of communication is one of the most common and serious problems in marriages today. Oh, couples may exchange necessary words like “pass the butter” or “what was in the mail”, but they do not share their hearts, listen intently, or discuss things before making decisions. When you do things that you know will upset your spouse, you are being selfish. Selfishness bypasses communication. The words “I was wrong!”, “I am sorry!”, “Please forgive me!” are humbling but essential to good communication. If your marriage lacks true communication, accept the blame and depend on the Lord to help you improve your communication.
The departure began
1. Jacob gathered all his belongings (v.17-18)
2. Rachel stole her father’s idols (v.19). Rachel was a beauty queen but her beauty was only skin-deep. She lacked spiritual beauty on the inside. Ladies, remember the counsel in the book of Proverbs.V (Proverbs 31:30) “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.”
3. Jacob’s family left without telling Laban (v.20-21)

The Pursuit (v.22-35)

Laban heard and pursued
1. He raced after Jacob for seven days before catching him (v.22-23)
2. God warned Laban in a dream to guard his words to Jacob (v.24). Here again we see that before the Bible was complete, God sometimes used dreams to direct people. Now that we have the Bible, God speaks to us through His Word.V (Psalms 119:130) “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.”
Laban’s cross words
1. He rebuked Jacob for leaving without notice and for stealing his gods (v.26-30)
2. Jacob explained and invited Laban to search for his gods (v.31-32)
3. Laban’s search was unsuccessful (v.33-35)V (Amos 3:3) “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”
  O Rachel’s secret sin of stealing the idols brought trouble to their family. Jacob worshipped the Lord. Rachel worshipped idols. They were not in agreement spiritually. No marriage will be as happy as it could be if there is not spiritual unity.
  
  O Perhaps you have heard, “the couple that prays together stays together”. Though praying together is not a 100% guarantee of spiritual unity, it is a major step in that direction. If your spouse is a believer and you do not daily pray with him or her, you need to begin today! It may seem difficult at the start, but will become easier as you make it a daily habit. Praying together builds unity.
  
  O Young people, BEWARE! Do not give your heart to an unbeliever!

The Conflict (v.36-44)

Jacob reacted sharply
1. He asked Laban for an explanation (v.36-37)
2. He voiced his complaint (v.38-42). Life had not been easy for Jacob. Laban had been very unfair with him. Jacob trusted in the Lord during these injustices.O It is never easy to take injustices cheerfully and leave them with the Lord. Our flesh rebels at this. Facing injustice quickly reveals whether we are walking in the Spirit or in the flesh.
  V (Galatians 5:16) “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”
Laban’s response
1. Laban claimed that all Jacob had was really his (v.43)
2. He ignored their work agreement of six years earlier.

The Covenant (v.45-55)

A peace treaty is agreed upon
1. Jacob set up a stone pillar (v.45)
2. His brethren (in-laws) piled up stones as well (v.46)
3. They ate a meal on the rock pile.
4. The stone pile was a testimony of their covenant or peace treaty (v.48)
Jacob offered a sacrifice
1. Jacob invited Laban and his family to the sacrifice (v.54)
  1. This sacrifice on the mount could have been just killing a beast for a feast, but it seems that Jacob offered it to God since God was just mentioned in the previous verse.
  2. He ate with his in-laws and they spent the entire night at the place of the sacrifice.
  3. This was an act of sealing their treaty.
2. In the morning, Laban left in peace (v.55)O I think Jacob was stepping up as a spiritual leader in the family. There is a great need today for men who will step up and be spiritual leaders in their families. We need men who will be godly examples. Men who will lovingly lead their wives. Men who will study the Bible with a passion and live it with a purpose. Men who will mentor their children for God’s glory. Ladies, your husbands will become better spiritual leaders if you will submit yourselves, pray for them, encourage them, and follow their leadership.

Conclusion

You know, this morning we have again learned several practical lessons. Several of them have been marriage principles. 1) Jacob enjoyed marital communication. If you are married, how is your marital communication? Do you discuss everything and come to mutual agreements before making decisions or do you do what pleases yourself? Learning to communicate is one of the keys to a happy marriage. 2) Jacob and Rachel lacked spiritual unity. Without spiritual harmony, your marriage is destined to struggle. 3) Jacob knew how to take injustices without walking in the flesh. That is something we must work on constantly. 4) Jacob was a spiritual leader. Men, ask God to make you the spiritual leader you ought to be.

Song: Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord – 337
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Homeward Bound
23 November 2014 am – Genesis 31:1-55 – Gen 14 – Scott Childs