e able to flee at all, not without leaving his family behind. So Jacob told Laban to take what is his that is among Jacobs crew. Laban searched for his household gods in his familys tents, but did not find them. Rachel had hidden them in the saddle of the camel upon which she sits. Laban went to meet her, and she said, Let not my lord be angry that I cannot rise before you, for the way of the women is upon me.(Gen 31:35)(520) So Laban could not find his gods. Jacob grew angry with Laban, over why he has hotly pursued him and searches through his stuff, and how Laban has screwed him over many times. Laban said that all Jacob has is his, but what can he do about it? He wants to make a covenant with Jacob. They set up a pillar of stones, as a witness, that I will not pass beyond this heap and this pillar to me for harm. May the god of Abraham and the god of Nahor judge between us. (Gen 31:52)(521) So Jacob swore on this too, and they celebrated all night. In the morning, Laban returned home.Jacob set on his way home. Angels met him in a certain place, so he called that place Mahanaim. He sent messengers ahead to Esau, and he told the messengers that he has lived with his fathers brother until now, and is coming back with wealth. The messengers returned to say that Esau was coming to meet Jacob, with 400 men. Jacob feared for his life. He broke his group into two parts, the flocks and shepherds, and the rest. He thought that if one party encountered Esau, that the other might escape. He then prayed to god to come out of this encounter with Esau alive. It is apparent that, amid all the tragic tangles in human relations, Jacob realized that ultimately it was god with whom he dealt. (622) He spent the night there, and the next day he prepared gifts to send to his brother Esau. From what he had, he took 200 female goats, 20 male goats, 200 ewes, 20 rams, 30 milch camels and their colts, 40 cows, 10 bulls, 20 female donkeys and 10 female donkeys...
