Jacob heard that Laban's sons were saying that he had wrongfully accumulated their father, his uncle's wealth and they were very upset about it. He also noticed a difference in the way that Laban behaved towards him so the Lord told him to leave and go back to the home of his father and the Lord would be with him on his journey.
He sent for his wives and told them that they knew he had worked hard for their father and their father's blessings and his had come about from God. He told them that his share, the speckled and the spotted sheepand goats had grown stronger and multiplied more because of God. God knew that Laban had cheated him so he blessed him all the more. After that the sisters, his wives, told him that their father had sold them to him and promised them a share of the money, which they never received, so they had felt cheated also. He advised the sisters where to meet him at and told them they would be returning to his father's land.
Meanwhile as they are preparing to leave, Laban is shearing his sheep and Rachel went into his tent and removed Laban's false idols and brought them with her. Jacob had traveled three days with his family before Laban realized they were gone. He took some relatives with him and chased him for a week but was warned by God in a dream not to threaten or harm Jacob.
When Laban caught up with Jacob's camp he questioned Jacob asking why he would take Laban's daughters and grandchildren without telling him. Laban then said that he understood that Jacob was homesick but asked why he would not let him celebrate with him and kiss everyone goodbye and asked Jacob why he would take his gods. Jacob told him to feel free to search the tents that he not taken them, so they did. Now Rachel had hidden them in a pillow which she sat upon as they searched. She excused herself from standing stating that she was on her period.
Jacob was upset at their false accusation and asked Laban why he would act thus? He reminded him of how he worked long hours for 20 years in all kinds of weather tending his flocks and no harm ever came to them. Laban argued back that the flocks were his, the daughters his too, but for the sake of his daughters he made a pact with Jacob and a memorial stone was created then and there. Neither man was to pass this stone. Jacob lived on one side and Laban the other, peacefully. They offered sacrifice to God and ate then made camp for the night and slept.
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