Genesis 31:1-21

I am the head of my house: I can say that because my wife told me I could. By custom Jacob is the head of his house. God has told him to return to land of his father, and he is ready to go. He could have ordered his wives to pack up and leave with him. He was not stupid; he knew it would not turn out well if he acted like a dictator. Jacob knew that he needed Rachel and Leah to be in agreement with him.

He called them to meet him so he could lay out his case. He made the following points:

1. Their father’s attitude had changed.
2. Their father had tried to cheat him by changing his wages 10 times.
3. The God of Abraham and Isaac was with Jacob.
4. God had taken away Laban’s livestock and given it to Jacob.
5. God had told Jacob to return home.

Jacob’s wives responded with their own points of argument in agreement:

1. They no longer shared in the inheritance of their father’s estate.
2. Their father regarded them as foreigners.
3. Their father had sold them, and had placed nothing in their dowries.
4. The wealth God had taken away from their father belonged to them and their children.
5. Jacob should obey God.

In his culture, Jacob could have ruled his family like a king. Regardless of culture for a husband to behave as a dictator is foolish and unrighteous. This situation shows that Jacob is learning the importance of relationships. He still has a long ways to go. Walking with the Lord will always change the way we walk at home. Dictatorship ends where righteousness begins.