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Jacob and His Family
How the Lord keeps His promises
Jacob left his home to escape his angry brother Esau. Jacob’s father blessed him to find and marry a woman who loved the Lord and kept His commandments.
While Jacob traveled, the Lord visited him in a vision. He promised to always be with Jacob. Jacob promised to give the Lord a tenth of all he received.
The Lord promised Jacob that he would have many children. Through Jacob’s children, the families of the earth would be blessed to know the Savior. Jacob’s family in the latter days is called the house of Israel.
Genesis 28:3–4, 14; 1 Nephi 10:14
Jacob traveled to a land called Haran. There he fell in love with a righteous woman named Rachel.
Jacob agreed to work seven years for her father, Laban, if Laban would allow him to marry Rachel. Laban agreed. Jacob worked for seven years.
But Laban wanted Leah, his oldest daughter, to be married first. During the wedding, Laban tricked Jacob and had him marry Leah instead. But Jacob loved Rachel. He promised to work another seven years if he could also marry her. Laban agreed, and Jacob’s family began to grow.
Genesis 29:28–35; 30:3–13, 17–24; Jacob 2:27–30
Laban did not pay Jacob fairly. But the Lord blessed Jacob with many animals and told Jacob to go back home.
Genesis 30:31, 43; 31:1–7, 17–18
On his way home, Jacob learned that his brother Esau and 400 men were coming to meet him.
Jacob thought Esau might still be angry at him. Jacob feared for the safety of his family, so he took them to a safe place and prayed.
Jacob prayed all night and into the morning. The Lord visited Jacob and blessed him. The Lord told Jacob that he would be a great leader to many. The Lord changed Jacob’s name to Israel.
Soon Esau and his men found Jacob and his family. Esau was no longer angry with Jacob. He ran to meet Jacob and hugged him. He was very happy to see him and meet his family. Jacob was happy to see Esau again too.
The Lord kept His promises to Jacob throughout his life. Jacob arrived home with his family and settled there. From then on, Jacob was called Israel, and his family were called Israelites. He continued to keep the commandments and worship the Lord.
Come, Follow Me
Old Testament Lesson 10:
February 28–March 6
“Surely the Lord Is in This Place”
Genesis 28–33
Genesis 28: Isaac forbids Jacob to marry a Canaanite—He blesses Jacob and his seed with the blessings of Abraham—Esau marries a daughter of Ishmael—Jacob sees in vision a ladder reaching up into heaven—The Lord promises him seed as the dust of the earth in number—The Lord also promises Jacob that in him and in his seed all the families of the earth will be blessed—Jacob covenants to pay tithes.
Genesis 29: Jacob meets Rachel at the well—He serves Laban seven years for her—Laban gives to Jacob first Leah then Rachel in marriage—Jacob serves another seven years—Leah bears Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah.
Genesis 30: Jacob marries Bilhah, and she bears Dan and Naphtali—He marries Zilpah, and she bears Gad and Asher—Leah bears Issachar and Zebulun and a daughter, Dinah—Then Rachel conceives and bears Joseph—Jacob works for Laban for wages of cattle and sheep.
Genesis 31: The Lord commands Jacob to return to Canaan, and Jacob departs secretly—Laban pursues him; they resolve their differences and make a covenant of peace—Laban blesses his descendants, and he and Jacob part company.
Genesis 32: Jacob sees angels—He asks God to preserve him from Esau, for whom he prepares presents—He wrestles all night with a messenger of God—Jacob’s name is changed to Israel—He sees God face to face.
Genesis 33: Jacob and Esau meet and are reconciled—Esau receives Jacob’s presents—Jacob settles in Canaan, where he builds an altar.