Vayishlach - Reading #3

Vayishlach, וַיִּשְׁל - And He Sent

Genesis 32:4-36:43

Reading #3 - Genesis 32:31–33:5

My Thoughts: 

Jacob’s fears were for naught. Hashem answered his prayers and he was greeted with love from Esau. Verse 4 says, “Esau ran to meet him, embraced him, fell on his neck, kissed him, and they wept.” Doesn’t this sound like the most wonderful reconciliation? Jacob must have felt such incredible relief and peace. That is just what making amends with someone you love does. Each of us have people in our life that we have offended or that have hurt us. Some cases are huge and some are small. Either way it is time to reconcile and receive the same peace that Jacob got that special day. The shalom peace that can only come from Hashem and our obedience to make things right. Whether you have been hurt, or you have hurt someone else -- it’s time to take care of it.

Challenge: 

Traditions are important. Jews today do not eat this part of an animal because of this story of Jacob “wrestling” G-d. And as we are learning there are many more Biblical traditions. Tradition may not be a commandment you have to follow, but it is important to recognize because of its memory and previous impact on souls. We are coming up on the season of Hanukkah. A time in history where men saw a huge miracle of Hashem (the victory of reclaiming the Temple and the lights of the Menorah). We recognize it and celebrate it because it reminds of Hashem’s miraculous love of His people. Think about the traditions in your family this time of year. Instead of taking advantage of them, take time to ponder their importance. Make them special again and pass them on to your children. It’s important to do so.

Reading #3 - Genesis 32:31–33:5

32:31 The sun rose on him as he passed over Peniel, and he limped because of his thigh. 32 Therefore the children of Israel don’t eat the sinew of the hip, which is on the hollow of the thigh, to this day, because he touched the hollow of Jacob’s thigh in the sinew of the hip.

33 Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau was coming, and with him four hundred men. He divided the children between Leah, Rachel, and the two servants. 2 He put the servants and their children in front, Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph at the rear. 3 He himself passed over in front of them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.

4 Esau ran to meet him, embraced him, fell on his neck, kissed him, and they wept. 5 He lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, “Who are these with you?”

He said, “The children whom Elohim has graciously given your servant.”

Vayishlach - Reading #2

Vayishlach, וַיִּשְׁל - And He Sent

Genesis 32:4-36:43

Reading #2 - Genesis 32:14–30

My Thoughts: 

A strange story, Jacob wrestling with Hashem. Why did they have that type of meeting? Why not just meet over a nice campfire? Was it that the true “wrestling” was Jacob’s fear of meeting with his brother and whether he should even go meet him? In verse 30 Jacob says,”I have seen Elohim face to face, and my life is preserved.” He is wrestling with the Father of Lights, face to face and his life is spared. And my guess is that the solution is found to Jacob’s fears. He proceeds and meets his brother. Contemplate on why Jacob physically wrestled with G-d. And believe in the outcome.

Challenge: 

Are you “wrestling” with a decision right now? Are you unsure what to do? If you are “wrestling” with G-d regarding this issue, it may simply be that you are not really listening to Him. Because if you were doing what He was telling you to do - there would not be a “fight”. You would succumb to His suggestion and you would clearly then see His wonderful plan and results. I challenge you today to “give up the fight” and do what the L-rd is telling you to do! Be blessed.

Reading #2 - Genesis 32:14–30

32:14 "... two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams, 15 thirty milk camels and their colts, forty cows, ten bulls, twenty female donkeys and ten foals. 16 He delivered them into the hands of his servants, every herd by itself, and said to his servants, “Pass over before me, and put a space between herd and herd.” 17 He commanded the foremost, saying, “When Esau, my brother, meets you, and asks you, saying, ‘Whose are you? Where are you going? Whose are these before you?’ 18 Then you shall say, ‘They are your servant, Jacob’s. It is a present sent to my lord, Esau. Behold, he also is behind us.’” 19 He commanded also the second, and the third, and all that followed the herds, saying, “This is how you shall speak to Esau, when you find him. 20 You shall say, ‘Not only that, but behold, your servant, Jacob, is behind us.’” For, he said, “I will appease him with the present that goes before me, and afterward I will see his face. Perhaps he will accept me.”

21 So the present passed over before him, and he himself stayed that night in the camp.

22 He rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two servants, and his eleven sons, and crossed over the ford of the Jabbok. 23 He took them, and sent them over the stream, and sent over that which he had. 24 Jacob was left alone, and wrestled with a man there until the breaking of the day. 25 When he saw that he didn’t prevail against him, the man touched the hollow of his thigh, and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was strained as he wrestled. 26 The man said, “Let me go, for the day breaks.”

Jacob said, “I won’t let you go unless you bless me.”

27 He said to him, “What is your name?”

He said, “Jacob”.

28 He said, “Your name will no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have fought with Elohim and with men, and have prevailed.”

29 Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.”

He said, “Why is it that you ask what my name is?” So he blessed him there.

30 Jacob called the name of the place Peniel; for he said, “I have seen Elohim face to face, and my life is preserved.”

Vayishlach - Reading #1

Vayishlach, וַיִּשְׁל - And He Sent

Genesis 32:4-36:43

Reading #1- Genesis 32:4–13

My Thoughts: 

Jacob prays to Hashem to help him when he meets his brother Esau. He reminds Hashem of His promise to bless him with generations in the Land. And frankly, he is scared. He remembers all he did to his brother, so he tries to gather some gifts to appease him. Have you ever upset someone and tried to apologize with gifts or something material. I really believe there should be both - asking for forgiveness and restitution. This is what Torah and Judaism teaches. If you borrow a coat, bring back two. It worked for Jacob. As we read on there seems to be a reconciliation between the two brothers. It always takes one person to start the process.

Challenge: 

Think of someone you have wronged (I have given this challenge to you before). Now get or buy something that you know that person would like and/or enjoy and apologize. A gift always shows someone that you care. And remember a sincere apology goes a long way. Hashem loves it when we reconcile with people. It repairs the world and makes it whole again.

Reading #1- Genesis 32:4–13

32:4 He commanded them, saying, “This is what you shall tell my lord, Esau: ‘This is what your servant, Jacob, says. I have lived as a foreigner with Laban, and stayed until now. 5 I have cattle, donkeys, flocks, male servants, and female servants. I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find favor in your sight.’” 6 The messengers returned to Jacob, saying, “We came to your brother Esau. He is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him.” 7 Then Jacob was greatly afraid and was distressed. He divided the people who were with him, along with the flocks, the herds, and the camels, into two companies. 8 He said, “If Esau comes to the one company, and strikes it, then the company which is left will escape.” 9 Jacob said, “Elohim of my father Abraham, and Elohim of my father Isaac, Hashem, who said to me, ‘Return to your country, and to your relatives, and I will do you good,’ 10 I am not worthy of the least of all the loving kindnesses, and of all the truth, which you have shown to your servant; for with just my staff I crossed over this Jordan; and now I have become two companies. 11 Please deliver me from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, lest he come and strike me and the mothers with the children. 12 You said, ‘I will surely do you good, and make your offspring as the sand of the sea, which can’t be counted because there are so many.’”

13 He stayed there that night, and took from that which he had with him a present for Esau, his brother..."

Vayishlach - Week #8

Vayishlach, וַיִּשְׁל - And He Sent

Genesis 32:4-36:43

Hosea 11:7-12:12, Obadiah 1:1-21

Matthew 2:13-23

1.1 First reading — Genesis 32:4–13

1.2 Second reading — Genesis 32:14–30

1.3 Third reading — Genesis 32:31–33:5

1.4 Fourth reading — Genesis 33:6–20

1.5 Fifth reading — Genesis 34:1–35:11

1.6 Sixth reading — Genesis 35:12–36:19

1.7 Seventh reading — Genesis 36:20–43

Vayetze - Reading #7

Vayetze וַיֵּצֵא - And He Went Out

Genesis 28:10-32:3

Haftarah: Hosea 12:13-14:10

Apostolic Scripture: John 1:41-51

SHABBAT READING #7 - Genesis 31:43–32:3

My Thoughts: 

In Chapter 32 verses 1 and 2 we read, “Jacob went on his way, and the angels of Elohim met him. When he saw them, Jacob said, “This is Elohim’s army.” How amazing is this? Angels from the throne room of Elohim come to the earth to present themselves to Jacob. They are Hashem’s army! You hear stories from various wars in Israel, past and present, where angels presented themselves and protected Hashem’s people. 

Have you ever seen an angel? I believe I have seen a few, but can’t verify it. We seemed to have met an angel when we were picking up my sons at the airport in Chicago (they were flying in from South Korea to be adopted by our family). We had gotten lost in the airport and a woman came up to us and helped us find our way. When we got in the right direction we turned around and she had disappeared. I could name a few other times too! Have you ever seen or felt like you had seen an angel?

Challenge: 

Do you have a “Laban” relative in your life? One that kind of stressed you out? Do you respect him/her or do you disrespect them? Do you take time to listen and be patient with this relative or are you impatient and contentious with them? Take time to think how you can be like Jacob and work through your issue. Be determined to have peace in your relationship and not turmoil. Remember to respect your elders whether you think they are right or wrong. It is a commandment to love one another. Obey it. 

Reading #7 - Genesis 31:43–32:3

31:43 Laban answered Jacob, “The daughters are my daughters, the children are my children, the flocks are my flocks, and all that you see is mine! What can I do today to these my daughters, or to their children whom they have borne? 44 Now come, let’s make a covenant, you and I. Let it be for a witness between me and you.”

45 Jacob took a stone, and set it up for a pillar. 46 Jacob said to his relatives, “Gather stones.” They took stones, and made a heap. They ate there by the heap. 47 Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha, but Jacob called it Galeed. 48 Laban said, “This heap is witness between me and you today.” Therefore it was named Galeed 49 and Mizpah, for he said, “Hashem watch between me and you, when we are absent one from another. 50 If you afflict my daughters, or if you take wives in addition to my daughters, no man is with us; behold, Elohim is witness between me and you.” 51 Laban said to Jacob, “See this heap, and see the pillar, which I have set between me and you. 52 May this heap be a witness, and the pillar be a witness, that I will not pass over this heap to you, and that you will not pass over this heap and this pillar to me, for harm. 53 The Elohim of Abraham, and the Elohim of Nahor, the Elohim of their father, judge between us.” Then Jacob swore by the fear of his father, Isaac. 54 Jacob offered a sacrifice in the mountain, and called his relatives to eat bread. They ate bread, and stayed all night in the mountain. 55 Early in the morning, Laban rose up, and kissed his sons and his daughters, and blessed them. Laban departed and returned to his place.

32 Jacob went on his way, and the angels of Elohim met him. 2 When he saw them, Jacob said, “This is Elohim’s army.” He called the name of that place Mahanaim.

3 Jacob sent messengers in front of him to Esau, his brother, to the land of Seir, the field of Edom.

THIS WEEK’S HAFTARAH:

Hosea 12:13-14:9

My Thoughts: 

We read in verse 14:1 “Israel, return to Hashem your Elohim; for you have fallen because of your sin.” This message is a common thread throughout Scripture. Many times we read that Hashem is asking us to return to Him. So why don’t we? We try sometimes. But, if He is asking us to love Him with our whole heart, soul and strength - we must devote our entire selves to Him. We are in a time where there is no room for being “lukewarm”. He wants ALL of us. Return today, to Him. And never go back.

Challenge: 

Continuing in verse 14:2 we read, “Take words with you, and return to Hashem. Tell him, “Forgive all our sins,

and accept that which is good, so we offer our lips like bulls.” In order to return to Hashem, we must repent of our sins. That means we say we are sorry with all that we have and offer up the sacrifice of prayer and praise. I challenge you to do this today. Take a moment to get quiet, repent and return. Then praise Him. It will change your life - forever.

Hosea 12:13-14:9

13 By a prophet Hashem brought Israel up out of Egypt,

    and by a prophet he was preserved.

14 Ephraim has bitterly provoked anger.

    Therefore his blood will be left on him,

    and his Lord will repay his contempt.

13 When Ephraim spoke, there was trembling.

He exalted himself in Israel,

    but when he became guilty in Baal, he died.

2 Now they sin more and more,

    and have made themselves molten images of their silver,

    even idols according to their own understanding,

    all of them the work of the craftsmen.

    They say of them, ‘They offer human sacrifice and kiss the calves.’

3 Therefore they will be like the morning mist,

    and like the dew that passes away early,

    like the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the threshing floor,

    and like the smoke out of the chimney.

4 “Yet I am Hashem your Elohim from the land of Egypt;

    and you shall acknowledge no god but Me,

    and besides Me there is no savior.

5 I knew you in the wilderness,

    in the land of great drought.

6 According to their pasture, so were they filled;

    they were filled, and their heart was exalted.

    Therefore they have forgotten Me.

7 Therefore I am like a lion to them.

    Like a leopard, I will lurk by the path.

8 I will meet them like a bear that is bereaved of her cubs,

    and will tear the covering of their heart.

    There I will devour them like a lioness.

    The wild animal will tear them.

9 You are destroyed, Israel, because you are against Me,

    against your help.

10 Where is your king now, that he may save you in all your cities?

    And your judges, of whom you said, ‘Give me a king and princes’?

11 I have given you a king in my anger,

    and have taken him away in my wrath.

12 The guilt of Ephraim is stored up.

    His sin is stored up.

13 The sorrows of a travailing woman will come on him.

    He is an unwise son;

    for when it is time, he doesn’t come to the opening of the womb.

14 I will ransom them from the power of Sheol.

    I will redeem them from death!

    Death, where are your plagues?

    Sheol, where is your destruction?

“Compassion will be hidden from my eyes.

15     Though he is fruitful among his brothers, an east wind will come,

    the breath of Hashem coming up from the wilderness;

    and his spring will become dry,

    and his fountain will be dried up.

    He will plunder the storehouse of treasure.

16 Samaria will bear her guilt;

    for she has rebelled against her Elohim.

    They will fall by the sword.

    Their infants will be dashed in pieces,

    and their pregnant women will be ripped open.”

14 Israel, return to Hashem your Elohim;

    for you have fallen because of your sin.

2 Take words with you, and return to Hashem.

    Tell him, “Forgive all our sins,

    and accept that which is good:

    so we offer our lips like bulls.

3 Assyria can’t save us.

    We won’t ride on horses;

    neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, ‘Our gods!’

    for in you the fatherless finds mercy.”

4 “I will heal their waywardness.

    I will love them freely;

    for my anger is turned away from him.

5 I will be like the dew to Israel.

    He will blossom like the lily,

    and send down his roots like Lebanon.

6 His branches will spread,

    and his beauty will be like the olive tree,

    and his fragrance like Lebanon.

7 Men will dwell in his shade.

    They will revive like the grain,

    and blossom like the vine.

    Their fragrance will be like the wine of Lebanon.

8 Ephraim, what have I to do any more with idols?

    I answer, and will take care of him.

    I am like a green cypress tree;

    from me your fruit is found.”

9 Who is wise, that he may understand these things?

    Who is prudent, that he may know them?

    For the ways of Hashem are right,

    and the righteous walk in them;

    But the rebellious stumble in them.

THIS WEEK’S APOSTOLIC SCRIPTURE:

John 1:41-51

My Thoughts:

Yeshua said to Nathanael “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” How powerful is this? Yeshua “saw” him. And He sees us too! Sometimes we feel like we are invisible to Hashem, but I believe we are not. We serve an infinite, omnipresent Elohim - He can be anywhere at any time. So - He does see us! Now this should be pretty amazing. It means we are never alone and we can depend on Him. Even if we are in a bad or distressing situation - Hashem is working on it for us. He can turn the worst thing into the best. Only if we let Him.

Challenge:

How can there be no “deceit” in Yeshua? Maybe because He is the exact representation of Hashem. He is perfect. I am convinced that Hashem sent His emanation Yeshua, so that we could better understand Hashem! If Yeshua totally represents Hashem - then it helps us to become more familiar and acquainted with the Holy One. Maybe now we have a better understanding of how Hashem loves and cares for us? Think about this today. Yeshua always points to Hashem. He wants us to know our Elohim better. So, let’s try to do that.

John 1:41-51

1:41 He first found his own brother, Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah!” (which is, being interpreted, Christ). 42 He brought him to Yeshua. Yeshua looked at him, and said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is by interpretation, Peter). 43 On the next day, he was determined to go out into Galilee, and he found Philip. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael, and said to him, “We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, wrote: Yeshua of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

46 Nathanael said to him, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?”

Philip said to him, “Come and see.”

47 Yeshua saw Nathanael coming to him, and said about him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!”

48 Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?”

Yeshua answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”

49 Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of Elohim! You are King of Israel!”

50.  Yeshua answered him, “Because I told you, ‘I saw you underneath the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these!” 51 He said to him, “Most certainly, I tell you all, hereafter you will see heaven opened, and the angels of Elohim ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

Vayetze - Reading #6

Vayetze וַיֵּצֵא - And He Went Out

Genesis 28:10-32:3

Reading #6 - Genesis 31:17–42

My Thoughts: 

There are different thoughts as to why Rachel would “steal” some of her father’s gods (statues). I’ve heard it said that she wanted to take some of her “inheritance” or that she was still worshiping the gods, and all sorts of things. Whatever reason -- she steals them, hides them and later I believe they are destroyed. We all do wrongful actions and regret them later. But, the wisdom here is that we must turn them all over to Hashem. 

Laban chases Jacob and his family down. He confronts Jacob and they search for the “gods” but they are not found. Jacob repairs his relationship with his father-in-law and creates a covenant. All is well. If you are “running” from a problem and it catches up with you (like Laban caught up with Jacob) it would be good to make reconciliation at that point. We serve an Elohim of mercy and grace and it is obvious that He loves restoration of relationships.

Challenge: 

Take a few minutes to think about the “foreign gods” in your life. Your immediate reaction may be -- “I don’t have any!” But what about TV and the internet? How many minutes a day do you watch TV or are you on the internet? Some homes have three to four TVs and have them turned on all day. When I walk my dog at night you see the pictures on TVs lighting up everyone’s homes. It is dominant in our daily life. We sit in front of it, we eat in front of it, we block out relationships while we watch it and we serve it. Isn’t that the same as a foreign god? Just something to think about. (And I admit I am the same and have a lot to think and pray about regarding TV and internet systems). 

Reading #6 - Genesis 31:17–42

31:17-42 Then Jacob rose up, and set his sons and his wives on the camels, 18 and he took away all his livestock, and all his possessions which he had gathered, including the livestock which he had gained in Paddan Aram, to go to Isaac his father, to the land of Canaan. 19 Now Laban had gone to shear his sheep; and Rachel stole the teraphim that were her father’s.

20 Jacob deceived Laban the Syrian, in that he didn’t tell him that he was running away. 21 So he fled with all that he had. He rose up, passed over the River, and set his face toward the mountain of Gilead.

22 Laban was told on the third day that Jacob had fled. 23 He took his relatives with him, and pursued him seven days’ journey. He overtook him in the mountain of Gilead. 24 Elohim came to Laban the Syrian in a dream of the night, and said to him, “Be careful that you don’t speak to Jacob either good or bad.”

25 Laban caught up with Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mountain, and Laban with his relatives encamped in the mountain of Gilead. 26 Laban said to Jacob, “What have you done, that you have deceived me, and carried away my daughters like captives of the sword? 27 Why did you flee secretly, and deceive me, and didn’t tell me, that I might have sent you away with mirth and with songs, with tambourine and with harp; 28 and didn’t allow me to kiss my sons and my daughters? Now have you done foolishly. 29 It is in the power of my hand to hurt you, but the Elohim of your father spoke to me last night, saying, ‘Be careful that you don’t speak to Jacob either good or bad.’ 30 Now, you want to be gone, because you greatly longed for your father’s house, but why have you stolen my gods?”

31 Jacob answered Laban, “Because I was afraid, for I said, ‘Lest you should take your daughters from me by force.’ 32 Anyone you find your gods with shall not live. Before our relatives, discern what is yours with me, and take it.” For Jacob didn’t know that Rachel had stolen them.

33 Laban went into Jacob’s tent, into Leah’s tent, and into the tent of the two female servants; but he didn’t find them. He went out of Leah’s tent, and entered into Rachel’s tent. 34 Now Rachel had taken the teraphim, put them in the camel’s saddle, and sat on them. Laban felt around all the tent, but didn’t find them. 35 She said to her father, “Don’t let my lord be angry that I can’t rise up before you; for I’m having my period.” He searched, but didn’t find the teraphim.

36 Jacob was angry, and argued with Laban. Jacob answered Laban, “What is my trespass? What is my sin, that you have hotly pursued me? 37 Now that you have felt around in all my stuff, what have you found of all your household stuff? Set it here before my relatives and your relatives, that they may judge between us two.

38 “These twenty years I have been with you. Your ewes and your female goats have not cast their young, and I haven’t eaten the rams of your flocks. 39 That which was torn of animals, I didn’t bring to you. I bore its loss. Of my hand you required it, whether stolen by day or stolen by night. 40 This was my situation: in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep fled from my eyes. 41 These twenty years I have been in your house. I served you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your flock, and you have changed my wages ten times. 42 Unless the Elohim of my father, the Elohim of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely now you would have sent me away empty. Elohim has seen my affliction and the labor of my hands, and rebuked you last night.”

Vayetze - Reading #5

Vayetze וַיֵּצֵא - And He Went Out

Genesis 28:10-32:3
Reading #5 - Genesis 30:28–31:16

My Thoughts: 

Jacob is negotiating with his father-in-law. He is getting ready to pack up his family and leave. And then he makes a really astonishing statement to Laban, “Hashem has blessed you wherever I turned.” In other words, Jacob gives all the credit of Laban’s prosperity not to himself, but to Hashem! His faith in Hashem is so huge that he gives all acknowledgement to Him. And makes sure that Laban knows this. That all his success is really from Hashem. Jacob planned, worked and grew Laban’s assets. A lesson for us to follow. Whatever you do that becomes successful, and benefits others, should be recognized as from Hashem and not you!

Challenge: 

Jacob makes an unusual “business deal” with Laban. It’s all about good and bad flocks of sheep. It turns out that over a period of time and sheep reproducing, Jacob is very successful. This must have been quite a surprise to Laban. My challenge to you today is to be on the lookout for a possible “business deal” that Hashem is orchestrating for you. Maybe you are already working on one. Be sure to be prayerful and to put Hashem right in the middle of your venture. Listen carefully to what He tells you to do. Even if it sounds really weird or unusual (like taking all the sheep rejects). You will be blessed. Guaranteed. 

Reading #5 - Genesis 30:28–31:16

28 He said, “Appoint me your wages, and I will give it.”

29 Jacob said to him, “You know how I have served you, and how your livestock have fared with me. 30 For it was little which you had before I came, and it has increased to a multitude. Hashem has blessed you wherever I turned. Now when will I provide for my own house also?”

31 Laban said, “What shall I give you?”

Jacob said, “You shall not give me anything. If you will do this thing for me, I will again feed your flock and keep it. 32 I will pass through all your flock today, removing from there every speckled and spotted one, and every black one among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats. This will be my hire. 33 So my righteousness will answer for me hereafter, when you come concerning my hire that is before you. Every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and black among the sheep, that might be with me, will be considered stolen.”

34 Laban said, “Behold, let it be according to your word.”

35 That day, he removed the male goats that were streaked and spotted, and all the female goats that were speckled and spotted, every one that had white in it, and all the black ones among the sheep, and gave them into the hand of his sons. 36 He set three days’ journey between himself and Jacob, and Jacob fed the rest of Laban’s flocks.

37 Jacob took to himself rods of fresh poplar, almond, and plane tree, peeled white streaks in them, and made the white appear which was in the rods. 38 He set the rods which he had peeled opposite the flocks in the watering troughs where the flocks came to drink. They conceived when they came to drink. 39 The flocks conceived before the rods, and the flocks produced streaked, speckled, and spotted. 40 Jacob separated the lambs, and set the faces of the flocks toward the streaked and all the black in Laban’s flock. He put his own droves apart, and didn’t put them into Laban’s flock. 41 Whenever the stronger of the flock conceived, Jacob laid the rods in front of the eyes of the flock in the watering troughs, that they might conceive among the rods; 42 but when the flock were feeble, he didn’t put them in. So the feebler were Laban’s, and the stronger Jacob’s. 43 The man increased exceedingly, and had large flocks, female servants and male servants, and camels and donkeys.

31 Jacob heard Laban’s sons’ words, saying, “Jacob has taken away all that was our father’s. He has obtained all this wealth from that which was our father’s.” 2 Jacob saw the expression on Laban’s face, and, behold, it was not toward him as before. 3 Hashem said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers, and to your relatives, and I will be with you.”

4 Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field to his flock, 5 and said to them, “I see the expression on your father’s face, that it is not toward me as before; but the Elohim of my father has been with me. 6 You know that I have served your father with all of my strength. 7 Your father has deceived me, and changed my wages ten times, but Elohim didn’t allow him to hurt me. 8 If he said, ‘The speckled will be your wages,’ then all the flock bore speckled. If he said, ‘The streaked will be your wages,’ then all the flock bore streaked. 9 Thus God has taken away your father’s livestock, and given them to me. 10 During mating season, I lifted up my eyes, and saw in a dream, and behold, the male goats which leaped on the flock were streaked, speckled, and grizzled. 11 The angel of Elohim said to me in the dream, ‘Jacob,’ and I said, ‘Here I am.’ 12 He said, ‘Now lift up your eyes, and behold, all the male goats which leap on the flock are streaked, speckled, and grizzled, for I have seen all that Laban does to you. 13 I am the Elohim of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar, where you vowed a vow to Me. Now arise, get out from this land, and return to the land of your birth.’”

14 Rachel and Leah answered him, “Is there yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father’s house? 15 Aren’t we considered as foreigners by him? For he has sold us, and has also used up our money. 16 For all the riches which Elohim has taken away from our father are ours and our children’s. Now then, whatever Elohim has said to you, do.”