For Kids · 4 min with a grown-up
After twenty years, God tells Jacob it's time to go home. But leaving isn't simple — and it ends with a surprising peace between two men who didn't trust each other.
Today's Story
After twenty years of working for Laban, God said to Jacob, “Go back home to the land of your family. I will be with you.”
So Jacob gathered his big family, his flocks, and everything he owned, and quietly set off for home. But when Laban found out they had left, he chased after them, upset.
That night, though, God came to Laban in a dream and warned him: “Be careful. Don't say anything harsh to Jacob.” So when Laban caught up, instead of a fight, they sat down and talked it out.
They had both been unfair to each other over the years, and there was a lot of hurt between them. But in the end, they decided to make peace. They stacked up a pile of stones as a marker and made a promise to each other. Laban said, “May the Lord watch between you and me while we are apart.”
Then they hugged, said goodbye, and went their separate ways — in peace.
Two people who had hurt and mistrusted each other chose, in the end, to forgive and part as friends. And God watched over Jacob, just as He had promised, all the way home.
A Big Word
Memory Verse
Talk About It
- Jacob and Laban had hurt each other, but they chose peace in the end. Is there someone you've had a hard time with that you could make peace with?
- God told Jacob, “I will be with you,” and watched over his whole journey. Where do you need God to watch over you right now?
- They asked God to watch between them while they were apart. Who do you love that's far away that you could ask God to watch over?