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Beginning of the End - Ellen G. White

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Said Jacob, "What you had before I came was little, and it has

increased to a great amount." But as time passed, Laban became

envious of the greater prosperity of Jacob, who "became

exceedingly prosperous." Laban's sons shared their father's jealousy,

and their malicious speeches came to Laban's ears. He "'has taken

away all that was our father's, and from what was our father's he has

acquired all this wealth.' And Jacob saw the countenance of Laban,

and indeed it was not favorable toward him as before."

Jacob would have left his scheming relative long before except

for the fear of meeting up with Esau. Now he felt that he was in

danger from the sons of Laban, who, looking on his wealth as their

own, might try to get it by violence. He was in great perplexity and

distress, but he remembered the gracious promise at Bethel, and he

carried his case to God. In a dream his prayer was answered:

"Return to the land of your fathers and to your family, and I will be

with you."

The flocks and herds were speedily gathered and sent forward,

and with his wives, children, and servants, Jacob crossed the

Euphrates River, hurrying on toward Gilead, on the borders of

Canaan. After three days, Laban set out in pursuit, overtaking the

company on the seventh day of their journey. He was hot with anger

and determined to force them to return. The fugitives were indeed in

great danger.

God himself intervened to protect His servant. "It is in my

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