After Jacob lived in Haran for a total of twenty years (see our previous couple of posts) he made his way back to Canaan. Besides the fact that he was ready to leave Haran for personal reasons (Gen. 31:1-2), the Lord instructed him, “Return to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you” (Gen. 31:3). He left, along with his wives (four!) and eleven sons (plus Dinah), picking the opportune time when Laban was gone shearing his sheep (Gen. 31:19).
It was on the third day that his father-in-law Laban learned of these events. It took seven days’ travel to overtake Jacob. The text says, “and he overtook him in the mountains of Gilead” (Gen. 31:23). Our photo below shows a view of some of the mountains of Gilead, as viewed from the west side of the Jordan.
Mountains of Gilead. Photo ©Leon Mauldin.
After he and Laban came to an understanding, Laban returned home to Haran and Jacob continued his journey to Canaan. After what turned out to be a cordial meeting with his formerly estranged brother Esau, Jacob lived a while in Succoth, then made his way to Shechem.
Our photo below shows the pass that leads from the area of Succoth (which would be to our backs) toward Shechem. This is the route Jacob and his family and servants would have taken to Shechem. On the right of the photo you can see the modern road which follows this ancient pass.
Pass to Shechem. Jacob would have taken this route. Photo ©Leon Mauldin.
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[…] We have previously posted on Shechem here, here and here. […]
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