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Jacob wanted to return to Canaan, but Laban convinced him to stay
and take care of his flocks. Jacob agreed to stay as long as he
could have all of the speckled, spotted, and brown animals.
After six years, God commanded Jacob to go back to Canaan. Jacob
told Rachel and Leah. They all obeyed God and departed for Canaan.
Three days later Laban heard that Jacob and his family had departed.
Laban pursued them for seven days. The night before Laban met with
Jacob, God warned him not to speak anything good or bad to Jacob.
Rachel had stolen Laban's idols. Laban accused Jacob of stealing
them so Jacob told him to search for them. Laban did not find them.
Then, Jacob rebuked Laban. Laban had treated him poorly by changing
his wages ten times. Then Jacob and Laban made a covenant not to
harm each other.
Jacob sent messengers to Esau. The messengers told Jacob that Esau
was coming to meet him with four hundred men. Jacob was afraid that
Esau was coming to hurt him. So, he sent a present of many animals
to Esau so that he would not be mad. Then Jacob split his family
into two companies and prayed that God would protect them.
Later Jacob wrestled with a Man. It was an Angel from God. They
wrestled all night. The Angel could not beat Jacob so He touched
his hip socket and put it out of joint. Jacob would not give up
until the Angel blessed Him. The Angel changed his name to Israel
and blessed him.
Jacob met Esau. Esau was happy to meet him and cried. Jacob visited
Esau in Seir. Then Jacob lived in Succoth before moving to Shechem.
Questions:
1. Did Laban convince Jacob to stay and take care of his flocks?
What did Jacob receive in return?
2. God commanded Jacob to return back to Canaan. Did Jacob obey
God? Should we obey God?
3. What did Laban do after he heard that Jacob and his family had
departed?
4. Did Jacob send Esau a big present? Why?
5. Jacob wrestled with God's Angel. Did Jacob give up? Did he receive
the blessing?
6. Was Esau happy to see Jacob? Were they friends or enemies?
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