Now Jacob heard that the sons of Laban were saying, “Jacob has taken all that was our father’s, and from what was our father’s he has gained all this wealth.” And Jacob saw that Laban did not regard him with favor as before. Then the Lord said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you.” (31:1–3)
The Lord spoke to Jacob, telling him and his family to return to the land he originally came from. But note that before the Lord spoke to Jacob, Jacob had already heard that his cousins (Laban’s sons) were complaining about Jacob’s wealth as if he had taken it from their father. Jacob also saw that Laban’s attitude toward him had changed from positive to negative. Therefore, when the Lord told Jacob to leave, he was probably good and ready.
Jacob had tried to leave years before, but Laban had convinced him to stay and had agreed to pay him by giving him all the spotted and speckled goats plus the black lambs. Then Laban had cheated him. But God blessed Jacob and he prospered, which made Laban’s sons, and probably Laban himself, look with disfavor on him.
But now it was time. God said so.
Note that after the Lord told Jacob to return to the land of his fathers, the first thing Jacob did was to call his wives (Rachel and Leah) and tell them their father wasn’t regarding him with favor anymore, and that God told him to return to the land of his fathers. They responded with complete willingness to leave, saying “Whatever God has said to you, do” (Genesis 1:16).
Many think of married women in the Bible as not having a voice, but even though God had given direction to Jacob, Jacob presented the situation to his wives, and they were in agreement that he should do as God said. These women had a say in this very big decision, which meant leaving their home and their family of origin.
There has been a push-pull between men and women since the first sin in Genesis—and more particularly between husbands and wives. But it needn’t be so. According to God’s Word (e.g. Ephesians 5, Colossians 3, 1 Peter 3), women are to submit to their husbands, and husbands are to love their wives sacrificially. But a wife submitting does not equal a husband steamrolling her. Any wise person hears and evaluates (before God) what those closest to him have to say—certainly a godly husband will do that with his wife. Both husband and wife should be humble, seeking to hear what the Lord is saying.
With all of our major moves, Alan has been the one who has heard from God about it, told me about it, we both prayed over time, and I agreed. However, there have been times when Alan has been considering a move or a big change of life, but I didn’t think it was of the Lord and freely told him so. Alan gave weight to what I said, and we both continued to seek the Lord.
Prayer: Thank you, God, that You often prepare us for big change, and You help us with big change. May we be ever ready to be led of You, because following You is always the best! I also pray that you would help me and my husband, and all those who follow you, with husband/wife dynamics and with male/female dynamics, that we would glorify Your name. Amen!
