Genesis 27:42-44

Did Jacob return to Haran to flee Esau or to get a wife?

PROBLEM: Here Rebekah told Jacob, “Flee to my brother Laban in Haran. And stay with him a few days, until your brother’s fury turns away.” But, in Genesis 28:2 the reason given is to “take yourself a wife from there of the daughters of Laban your mother’s brother.” Which was it?

SOLUTION: Jacob returned for both reasons. Two or more reasons for the same thing are not uncommon in the Bible. Compare the following:

(1) Moses’ exclusion from the Promised Land was for unbelief (Numbers 20:12), for rebellion (Numbers 27:14), for trespass (Deuteronomy 32:51), and for rash words (Psalms 106:33).

(2) Moses’ condemnation for numbering the people was for taxation (Exodus 38:26) and for a military enrollment (Numbers 1:2-3; Numbers 2:32).

(3) Saul was rejected by God for an unlawful sacrifice (1 Samuel 13:12-13), for disobedience (1 Samuel 28:18), and for consulting the witch of Endor (1 Chronicles 10:13).