ABC Deaf 303�Jacob and Esau

Lesson 6

Jacob returns to Canaan

Genesis 30-31

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1. Jacob’s family is growing. He is blessed with many children. His flocks and wealth increase. Tensions in the family also increase. Deceptions and dishonesty continue. Study and learn how God remains faithful even in our sinfulness.
2. Read the entire Bible reference- found in classroom- for a more story details.

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Introduction

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In time, God blesses Jacob and Rachel with a son.�They name him Joseph.

Jacob speaks to Laban, “I want to return to my homeland of Canaan.” Laban knows the Lord has blessed him because of Jacob. He does not want to lose him. “Name your wages, and I will pay them,” Laban replies.�

Jacob answers, “I will stay and work for you if you let me go through your flocks. I will remove all the speckled or spotted sheep and goats, plus every dark-colored lamb. They will be my wages.” Laban agrees.�

Jacob found a way to increase his flock. He peels the bark of poplar, almond and plane trees. He places the peeled branches in front of the feeding troughs of the flocks. When the animals mate they have young who are streaked, spotted or specked. Then they become his.

Jacob makes special flocks for himself. These become larger and stronger than Laban’s flocks. Jacob becomes very rich. He has many servants.

Laban’s sons complain their flocks are not doing as well as Jocob’s flocks. Jacob notices Laban’s attitude toward him is changing. The Lord tells Jacob, “Go back to the land of your fathers. I will be with you.”

Rachel and Leah agree to go to Canaan. When Laban leaves to clip the wool from his sheep, Rachel steals the statues of the family gods. Jacob puts his children and wives on camels. He takes everything he owns with him. Jacob does not tell Laban he is leaving.

Three days later, Laban is told Jacob has run away. �Laban gathers his relatives and goes after Jacob.

Laban has a dream. God warns him not to say anything good or bad to Jacob. Jacob set up his tent in the hill country of Gilead. Laban catches up with him there. Laban and his relatives camp there too.

Laban says to Jacob, “What have you done? You have taken my daughters away like prisoners of war. Why did you run away in secret? You didn’t even let me kiss my grandchildren and my daughters good bye. Why did you steal the statues of my gods?”

Jacob answers, “I was afraid. I thought you would take your daughters away from me by force. If you find anyone who has the statues of your gods, that person will not remain alive. Our relatives are watching. Look for yourself. If you find anything belonging to you, take it.” Jacob did not know Rachel had stolen the statues.

Laban searches the tents. He doesn’t find anything. Then he enters Rachel’s tent. Rachel put the gods inside her camel’s saddle. She was sitting on them. Laban searches the whole tent. But he doesn’t find anything. Rachel tells her father, “I’m sorry, sir. I can’t get up right now. Don’t be angry with me. I’m having my monthly period.” Laban searches everywhere. He cannot find the statues of his gods.

Jacob is angry. “Have you found anything that belongs to you? I have been with you for 20 years. �I worked hard and treated you fairly. God is with me. He has seen my hardship. He has seen what you have done. He sent you a warning in that dream”

Laban replies, “All you see is mine, but what can I do? Let’s make a formal agreement.” Jacob sets up a stone as a witness. He tells his family, “Get some stones and put them in a pile.”� Laban says, “This pile of stones is a witness between you and me. May the Lord keep watch between us when we are away from each other.”

“Here is the stone I set up. I set it up between you and me. The pile is a witness. The stone is a witness. I won’t go past this pile to harm you. And you won’t go past this stone to harm me.” Jacob makes a promise in the name of the same God his father Isaac worships. He offers a sacrifice. He invites his relatives to a meal. Then they spend the night there.�

Early the next morning Laban kisses his grandchildren and his daughters. He gives them his blessing. Then he leaves and returns home.�

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What Can We Bring to Heaven

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Jacob and Laban spend 20 years living and working together. Tensions and stress build up. There are lies, anger, and deceit. But in the end, the men make peace. They agree to never hurt one another.

Think of your life.

Are there strained relationships, anger, deceit?

Now, Remember God’s faithfulness. He sent Jesus to forgive us. He promises eternal life to all who believe. Family and friends are the only thing we will take to heaven. Act in love. The things of the world pass away. God’s love never ends.

1. “You have been raised up with Christ. So think about things that are in heaven. That is where Christ is. He is sitting at God’s right hand. Think about things that are in heaven. Don’t think about things that are only on earth.”
2. Colossians 3: 1-2

1. 1. Why is Rachel jealous of Leah?
2. A. She lost her sheep�B. She has no children�C. Jacob wants to leave�D. Leah moved away

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• 2. Rachel prays and God shows concern for her. She has a son. What is his name?
• A. Reuben�B. Judah�C. Joseph�D. Benjamin

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1. 1. B
2. Rachel jealous of Leah because Rachel has no children.
3. Genesis 30:1

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• 2. C
• The son is named Joseph.
• Genesis 30:22–24

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3. What wages do Jacob and Laban agree to?

1. A. Jacob will receive gold�B. Jacob will receive ten camels
2. C. Jacob will receive half of Laban's land�D. Jacob will receive all the spotted and speckled sheep and goats�
3. 4. Who makes Jacob's flocks grow and prosper?
4. A. God�B. Jacob alone�C. Laban�D. Rachel

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1. 3. D
2. Jacob and Laban agree that Jacob will receive all the spotted and speckled sheep and goats.
3. Genesis 30:31–32

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• 4. A
• God makes Jacob's flocks grow and prosper.
• Genesis 31:9

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1. 5. Why does Jacob want to leave Laban?
2. A. He wants to travel�B. God tells him to return to his father’s land�C. Laban retires�D. There is a famine

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• 6. What does Rachel steal before she leaves?
• A. Gold coins�B. Laban’s sheep
• C. Jacob's staff�D. Family idols �

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1. 5. B
2. Jacob want to leave Laban because God tells him to return to his father’s land.
3. Genesis 31:2–3

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• 6. D
• Rachel steals the family idols before she leaves.
• Genesis 31:19

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1. 7. What message does God give Laban before he finds Jacob?
2. A. Hurry and stop him�B. Go bring your daughters home�C. Bring harm to Jacob�D. Do not harm Jacob

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• 8. Where does Rachel hide the family idols?
• A. She buries them in a field�B. In her saddle bag and she sits on them�C. She hid them in Laban’s house�D. She puts them in Leah’s saddle bag
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1. 7. D
2. God tells Laban, “Do not harm Jacob.”
3. Genesis 31:24

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• 8. B
• Rachel hides the family idols in her saddle bag. Then she sits on them.
• Genesis 31:34–35

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9. What do Jacob and Laban build as a witness to their agreement?

1. A. A city�B. A tower�C. A pile of stones�D. A large tent

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1. 10. What promise do Jacob and Laban make at the end of Genesis 31?
2. A. To become business partners �B. To never harm one another�C. To move to Egypt together�D. To share all their flocks equally

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1. 9. C

Jacob and Laban build a pile of stones as a witness.

Genesis 31:44–48

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1. 10. B
2. Jacob and Laban promise to never harm one another.
3. Genesis 31:52

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1. 11. In this story, what important lesson do we learn about God’s promises?
2. A. God forgets His promises
3. B. God does not make promises�C. God only helps us after we are wealthy
4. D. God keeps his promises even when His people are sinful

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1. 11. D
2. In this story, we learn, God keeps his promises even when His people are sinful.

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