Daily Bread

1. "I was afraid." (31-35)

Jacob was confronted by Laban, and he confessed that he was fearful. He was afraid that Laban would come and take Rachel and Leah by force. But when the matter turned to the household gods, he confidently offered up the life of anyone who had stolen them. He didn't know Rachel had done so. This time Rachel deceived her father. Laban searched, but found nothing.

2. The witness heap (36-55)

When Laban failed to find what he was looking for, Jacob was emboldened. He unloaded his pent-up bitterness and then confessed God who was with him. He made a peace treaty with Laban. They assembled a "heap of witness," and both promised never to cross it to harm the other. It was time for Jacob to leave Laban and return to his father. He did so, knowing that the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac was with him.