So Jacob arose and set his sons and his wives on camels. He drove away all his livestock, all his property that he had gained, the livestock in his possession that he had acquired in Paddan-aram, to go to the land of Canaan to his father Isaac. Laban had gone to shear his sheep, and Rachel stole her father’s household gods. And Jacob tricked Laban the Aramean, by not telling him that he intended to flee. He fled with all that he had and arose and crossed the Euphrates, and set his face toward the hill country of Gilead.
When it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob had fled, he took his kinsmen with him and pursued him for seven days and followed close after him into the hill country of Gilead. But God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream by night and said to him, “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.”
Comment: Jacob timed his departure well. With Laban and his workers away to where his sons were keeping his sheep (3 days journey away), Jacob quickly arranged for everyone and everything that was rightfully his to go with him as he departed. He was no doubt hoping to get a long way away before Laban got news of his departure. He took what was his rightfully; Rebekah stole her father’s ‘gods’. Whilst his ‘gods’ were carried away on a camel, the God of all the Universe spoke to Laban in a dream with instructions as to what was to happen when Laban caught up to Jacob.
Prayer: Thank You for being interested in us as individuals. Father God.
As I read it! 