When Jacob returned to Canaan, he took all his family and servants with him. However, his father-in-law became violent at the idea of Isaac's son running away, because he wanted him to stay with him. Laban's interest was in the skilled labor, the like of which he had never seen. So, he went after his son-in-law as if he were a criminal. Now, Jacob would definitely never be deceived by his father-in-law again. There is a time for everything in life (Ecclesiastes 3.1), so prepare yourself!

           In addition to not counting on Jacob's work, Laban realized that someone had stolen the worship images from his house. On this pretext, he wanted to bring Jacob and his family back. The Bible tells us: And Laban went into Jacob’s tent, into Leah’s tent, and into the two maids’ tents, but he did not find them. Then he went out of Leah’s tent and entered Rachel’s tent. Now Rachel had taken the household idols, put them in the camel’s saddle, and sat on them. And Laban searched all about the tent but did not find them (Genesis 31.33-34). As he was going through everything, she said that she having her period, so she couldn’t get up.

           Rachel deceived her father, but we don't know why. Sometime later, Jacob renewed his vow to God, after what his sons had done to Hamor and his son Shechem, who had sexually abused Dinah, Jacob's daughter, making him stink among the inhabitants of the land (Genesis 34). Then he heard from the Lord: “Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there; and make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother” (Genesis 35.1). Jacob understood that something serious had to be done in his family if peace was to return.

        Before heading to Bethel, Jacob gathered his family and sons together and said to them: And Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Put away the foreign gods that are among you, purify yourselves, and change your garments” (Genesis 35.2). So, they got rid of everything evil, purified their bodies and changed their clothes. Then the journey would be one of blessings, for their descendants were grafted into God's covenant with their fathers.

           We don't know if it was on this day that Rachel got rid of those "protectors", which only attracted more demons. Today, many people see nothing wrong with owning graven images or other religious items, which only cause suffering. God forbade such practices shortly after the Hebrews passed through the Red Sea, so that they wouldn't get into trouble or suffer all kinds of evil (Exodus 20.1-6).

          The oldest image linked to Christian worship appeared in the 3rd century, in the catacombs of Rome. Since then, the worship of those whom some considered to be holy has begun. Now, the Bible says that saints are those who accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, persevering in faith, and not being considered special because of some work they think they have done. I am the Lord, that is My name; and My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to carved images (Isaiah 42.8).

           Behind the mystique surrounding the cult of the saints, there is a demon oppressing the people who indulge in this sin and lead them to suffer the attacks of Hell. Rachel took her father's "saints" and brought them to Jacob, who buried them under a tree, delivering them from such evil (Genesis 35.4).

           In Christ, with love,

           R. R. Soares