31:22–24 Three days later, after Jacob left home in a secretive manner (31:17–21), Laban is informed that Jacob has fled. Immediately he gathered his relatives and pursued Jacob. After seven days, possibly a symbolic number for several days, Laban caught up with Jacob in the hill country of Gilead, close to four hundred miles away—a journey of more than seven days for one driving small herds. The night before Laban overtook Jacob, God warned Laban in a dream, restricting any hostile action he might be planning. Burning with anger, Laban was intent on pressing heavy charges against Jacob, but God continued to protect Jacob, the heir of the promise, from Laban’s aggression.

31:25–30 Laban and Jacob, the two master deceivers, met face to face. Although neither trusted the other, each knew that…