While Yaakov was dreaming HaShem, promised Yaakov and his descendants the land of Canaan saying that they would become as dust of the earth and be scattered to the north, south, east and west. HaShem told haSatan that he would eat “dust” all of the days of his life (Gen. 3:14).
When Yaakov awoke, he said, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.” Therefore he named the place, Bet-El, “House of G-d”.

Avraham gave 10% of the plunder from recovery of his people and possessions to Mal-ki-tze-dek (The Righteous King) and in like manner Yaakov promised to give HaShem the tenth part of his prosperity. Yaakov vowed before HaShem, and HaShem prospered him. The end of the story was that even though Lavan attempted to steal Yaakov’s blessings several times, HaShem continued to bless Yaakov so that Lavan ended up with little and Yaakov walked away with the wealth HaShem promised. People want the wealth associated with the promises of HaShem, so they bless Israel but they forget that there is a curse to those who would curse her. Because Lavan cursed Yaakov by trying to steal from him, he lost all the blessings that had accrued for blessing him.

The gifts given to Rachel by Yaakov were spectacular. When Lavan heard about the gifts given and what had been said, he rushed out to meet Yaakov. This is typical of people who see the gifts of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) and are greedy to receive the blessings of G-d, but are not willing to yield themselves to the source of the gifts. The outcome can produce curses on the person who would cheat HaShem.

The story of Yaakov, working fourteen years to get the bride of his choice because of Lavan’s deceit, is well known among Bible believers. Lavan tricked Yaakov by giving him the wrong daughter on his wedding night. Rather than starting a feud over the trickery, Yaakov accepted the fate dealt him by his father-in-law and worked another seven years for Rachel. While it is true that Lavan did not wish to allow the younger daughter to marry until the older one was married, it seems that there was an ulterior motive. He wanted the blessings associated with this son of Avraham.

We should not forget the prophetic nature of these stories. The picture here is as follows. HaShem chose Israel first, but ended up with the other daughter (the church). He is also married to Israel but has had to work additional time to get her. Just as in Yaakov’s case, The church has produced many offspring “filling the earth” while his beloved remains barren. The day will come when she will bring forth children, removing her embarrassment at being childless.

Yoseph, who pictures the Messiah, came from Rachel. Yoseph was the favorite son of his father. This favorite son was taken into captivity, but in the end, rescued his father and brothers from a great famine. It will be the sons of Yaakov who bring about great deliverance in the end (Revelation 7:1-8).

When Yaakov finally departed from Lavan, Rachel stole her father’s gods.

The little gods were images that signified deeds of trust on the possessions of the holder. The belief was that these images had supernatural power to protect the things they were signifying. While the idols were a form of idol worship it is important to note the value of the images, in that day. Notice the context in Gen. 31:14-16. Rachel was complaining about not receiving any inheritance from her father so, she stole the very things that signified ownership of the inheritance.

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