Jacob Leaves Laban’s House

Jacob Leaves Laban’s House

Q: What did Rachel steal from her father when she left his home?

• a. his idols
• b. his money
• c. his best cattle

Jacob married both Leah and Rachel, and they had many children. Jacob decided it was time to go back to his homeland. He asked to take all the speckled, spotted, or black goats for all the work he’d done for Laban. Jacob was smart about breeding animals, and when it was finally time for Jacob and his family to leave, he had a large, strong flock of animals.

Jacob packed up his family and animals, and they set out while Laban was away shearing sheep. What Jacob didn’t know was that Rachel had stolen Laban’s idols.

Laban went after Jacob and asked why he’d left without allowing Laban to say good-bye to Rachel and Leah. He asked Jacob why he had stolen the idols. Laban searched through all the tents but didn’t find the idols. Rachel had hidden them in her camel saddle, which she was sitting on.

We don’t know why Rachel took the idols. She may have taken them to keep her father from worshiping them or as keepsakes of home or perhaps for their value. She may have considered them her inheritance.

Rachel grew up in a home with idols, but Jacob taught her about God and his laws. She chose to follow Jacob and God’s way over her father’s way (see Genesis 35:2-4). Each person must choose to follow God for himself or herself.

For You

You may be surrounded by people who don’t believe in God or who have chosen not to live his way. It may be hard to stand alone, but God will give you the strength to follow him even if no one else is.

Answer: a

At the time they left, Laban was some distance away, shearing his sheep. Rachel stole her father’s household idols and took them with her. Jacob outwitted Laban the Aramean, for they set out secretly and never told Laban they were leaving.   Genesis 31:19-20

(The Whole Story: Genesis 30–31)