Jacob Returns to Canaan

Title ideas:God changes Jacob’s name to be Israel.Jacob returns to Canaan with his family.God protects Jacob as he returns to Canaan.

After Jacob worked twenty years for his uncle Laban in Haran, he decided [planned] to go back to his father Isaac in [the land of] Canaan.

Thinking that Laban would try to stop him [them] from leaving, Jacob chose [planned to leave] [with his household and possessions] without telling [informing] Laban.

Laban went to shear [cut off wool / fur] his own sheep. It took him three days to go to his sheep.

While Laban was gone [from home], Jacob left Haran, taking with him his wives, children, servants and livestock [flocks and herds].

A servant came to Laban and told him that Jacob had fled [left quickly], taking his family, servants and livestock [flocks and herds].

Laban and some of his kinsmen [relatives] left immediately [soon] and pursued [chased after] Jacob for seven days.

While Laban was on his way to catch up with Jacob, God appeared to Laban in a dream. God commanded him [Laban] not to harm or to threaten Jacob.

When Laban caught up with Jacob, Laban said to him, “You left without telling me! You deceived [tricked] me! I would have held a party for you. I would have embraced [kissed] my daughters and grandchildren [to say] good-bye.

“Last night, your God warned me not to harm you, but you have stolen my wooden gods [idols].”

Jacob replied, “I left secretly, because I was afraid [feared you]. But if anyone has stolen your gods [idols], then you may kill him [them]. If someone has stolen anything, then take it back.”

Jacob did not know that it was his wife Rachel who had stolen Laban’s gods [idols]. She hid them under a [camel’s] saddle in her tent.

Laban searched [through] all of the tents, seeking [looking for] his gods [idols].

When Laban entered Rachel’s tent, she was sitting on the [camel] saddle. She said to him, “I must not stand up, because I am having my monthly woman’s period [bleeding].”

Laban did not find his gods [idols], so Jacob spoke angrily with Laban.

Jacob said, “I worked for you twenty years and never stole anything from you. So, why are you accusing me of theft [stealing]?”

The two men made an agreement [promise] that they would not harm each other.

Jacob and Laban set up a pile of stones to remind them that they had agreed not to harm each other. They said, “May God watch over us and judge [rule] between us!”

Next morning, Laban embraced [kissed on their cheek] his daughter and grandchildren to say good-bye to them. After he blessed them, he left and went back to Haran.

Jacob and everyone with him left and went towards [the land of] Canaan.

Jacob was afraid [worried] about Esau, so Jacob sent messengers [ahead] to greet Esau, and to ask him not to be angry with him.

The messengers came back and warned [reported to] Jacob. They said, “Esau is coming to meet you and he has with him 400 armed men!”

When Jacob heard this, he became afraid [frightened]. He feared that Esau might come and kill him.

So Jacob made two groups. Each group had half of the people and half of the animals [droves]. He then sent each group apart.

Jacob said to himself, “If Esau attacks one of these groups, then the other group may escape [may remain safe].”

Jacob prayed, “Lord God! Please, do not forget the promise you made to me. You said I would prosper [get wealth], and that I would have descendants [posterity], too many to count.

“I am afraid that Esau will come harm us, my wives and my children and me. So, please rescue [save] us from Esau.”

Same day, Jacob set aside more than 500 livestock [animals] that he would send ahead to Esau as gifts, to make peace with him.

Jacob put [divided] these livestock [animals] into separate droves [herds / flocks]. He put servants in charge of each drove. He then sent ahead one drove after another, with space [distance] between them.

Jacob told to the servants to go say to Esau, “Jacob sends these livestock as a gift to you his master [boss]. Jacob himself will soon come behind us.”

Jacob sent those animals as a gift to Esau, so that Esau might [would not] harm Jacob, his wives and children.

Last of all, Jacob sent his wives and children across a river, while he remained alone in his camp [tents].

During the night, a man came into the camp. Jacob struggled [wrestled] [fought] with the man till morning. The man dislocated [injured] [one of] Jacob’s hip. The man also blessed Jacob.

The man said to Jacob, “You have struggled with men and with God, and you have prevailed [won]. Therefore [So], today I change your name to Israel [Is-rah-El].” This name means Struggle-With-God.

That day, Jacob saw Esau coming with 400 men. So Jacob sent ahead [of himself] a group of servants. Next he sent Leah with her children, and, lastly, Rachel with her son Joseph.

Jacob himself went ahead of these groups. When he came near to [within] sight of Esau, Jacob bowed down [to the ground] seven times.

Esau ran to Jacob, hugged him [with joy], and embraced [kissed on his cheek] him. Both of them wept [shed tears] because of their joy. At first, Esau refused the gifts from Jacob.

But Jacob said, “Please, accept these gifts. I now see your face, which is like seeing the face of God.”

Jacob said to Esau, “Please go ahead of us to Canaan, because my children and my droves [flocks and herds] must travel [move slowly].” So Esau left and went towards Edom [southwest from Canaan].

Jacob and his family [household] arrived safe in Canaan. After they had camped near different towns [villages], the Lord said to Jacob, “Go to Bethel and settle [dwell] there.”

(Bethel is [was] the place where Jacob had seen, in a dream 20 years ago, a ladder [stairway] leading into heaven.)

Jacob ordered [commanded / told] his family and servants, “Bring to me all of your gods [idols].” He then buried those gods [idols] near a big tree.

After arriving in a town called Luz, Jacob built a stone altar [worship place] and named it Bethel, which means God’s House

Whilst they were travelling to Bethel, Rachel gave birth to her second son. But Rachel died when the baby was born. Jacob named the boy Benjamin. Jacob buried Rachel near a road [leading to a town called Bethlehem].

He arrived [came] to Canaan to the town [village] where his father Isaac lived [dwelt]. He now had 12 sons.

Years later, [Jacob’s father] Isaac died at the age of 180 years. His sons Esau and Jacob buried him [Isaac / Isaac’s body] there in Canaan.