I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Genesis 31-32.

I have never quite known what to make of the fact that Rachel stole Laban’s idols when she fled from him with Jacob.  Certainly the fact that she took them is an important part of the story.  Perhaps part of the reason they are mentioned is to show why Laban was so angry about Jacob’s departure, but that seems like an unnecessary addition.  As I think about it I come to the conclusion that this is included to show us how even the Patriarch’s struggled with idolatry.  Even though they had the stories passed down from Noah about who God truly was, they still experienced the temptation to worship other gods. And even though they remained a separate people from the people among whom they lived, the temptation to adopt the worship practices of those around them was always there.

When Jacob left his meeting with Laban he sent messengers ahead to let Esau know he was coming home.  However, the messengers discovered that Esau was already coming to meet Jacob with an army of 400 men.  We never learn what prompted Esau to set out with this small army.  Was he coming to attack Jacob as Jacob feared? Or had he heard of Laban’s pursuit of Jacob and was he coming to defend his brother?  In either case, Jacob responded to the perceived threat by turning to God.  It was only after asking God for His protection that Jacob sent out his gifts to Esau.  Here is the lesson for us: Jacob called on God for His protection and aid, but did not then just sit back and wait.  He did what he could to persuade his brother to forgive him for his past sins.