Genesis 30-31  Jacob had 4 sons by Leah.. Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah.  Then, Rachel, jealous and barren gave her maid Bilhah to Jacob to provide children for her.. Dan and Naphtali were born from this relationship.  Then, Leah gave Zilpah, her maid to Jacob to produce more children and she had Gad and Asher. Leah was able to have 2 more sons and a daughter.. Issachar, Zebulun, and Dinah. Finally, Rachel was able to have a son and named him Joseph.  11 sons and 1 daughter later.. Jacob is ready to leave Laban's house and go back to Canaan.  

But, first he needed to work out his wages from Laban.  After 20 years he had nothing of his own, so he made a deal with Laban that he would take all the striped and spotted goats and all the black sheep.  He separated his flocks from Laban's and managed to gain much wealth.. "so the man became exceedingly prosperous, and had large flocks and female and male servants and camels and donkeys." 

All this lead to difficulty with Laban and his relatives. So, Jacob took his wives and his children and his flocks and left when the Lord said, "Return to the land of your fathers and your relatives and I will be with you."  The Lord spoke to Jacob and he also spoke to Laban, so that they ended up parting ways.  They established a covenant at Mizpah.  

20 years away from home.. away from Esau...  Jacob returns a wealthy man with 4 wives and 12 children. Is he a changed man? Perhaps not yet, but he will be. "Now as Jacob went on his way, the angels of God met him.. "( 32:1) God was orchestrating all of this according to His plan and purposes.  Jacob clung to God's promise to be with him.  

Father in heaven, we also cling to Your promises to be with us and to keep us.  You are our help and our strength. You bring us into families and provide for our welfare just as You did for Jacob.  May we not be afraid of what lies ahead, but remember that You know where we come from and where we are going.. and You are with us all the way! Thank You for the grace of Your Presence and guidance in our lives. Let Your will be done as we walk along the way that You send us.  In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.