Rachel's TombTodays Portion Gen 30-32
Gen 31:30-32
Now you have gone off because you longed to return to your father's house. But why did you steal my gods?" Jacob answered Laban, "I was afraid, because I thought you would take your daughters away from me by force. But if you find anyone who has your gods, he shall not live. In the presence of our relatives, see for yourself whether there is anything of yours here with me; and if so, take it." Now Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the gods.
Why did you steal my gods?
Jacob, not knowing his beloved wife Rachel stole the household idols, proclaimed his innocence and pronounced a harsh curse on the thief, not knowing actually put a curse on his own wife. Note, even the words spoken out of innocence’s of an anointed one or a Believer (who is God’s chosen one) can come true.
But why did Rachel stole the idols?
In ancient times these idols were kept in houses as reason for prosperity, it was a belief that if these idols remain at home, they will prosper.
Rachel tried to ensure a blessing on Jacob by stealing her father's household idols and bringing them into their camp(GEN 31:19).
1) teraphim, or household idols (small female fertility figures), were thought to confer power and good luck their owners; i.e. guardian angels of a home.
2) teraphim were also commonly considered to be the sign of the head of a household; possession of Laban's idols then made Jacob the legal heir of Laban's wealth.
This reprehensible act, of course, did not ensure protection or blessing because the idols were merely worthless images; in fact, Jacob would later command thatall images be cast out his camp in order that they might purify themselves and honor the true God, El-Shaddai, Who had worked so powerfully for them (GEN 35:2,3).
But Jacob’s prosperity was God himself, as it is written in 37th Chapter of Genesis that Laban knew about the God of Jacob’s father but Rachel could not properly understand this, she might think that the prosperity that she has received is all because of these idols, or their God. But it was not so, as we all know further what happened on the way.
*This information came from "Manners and Customs of Bible Lands" by Fred H. Wight, Moody Press (1953), pg.118.