Jacob continues his own journey of faith, retracing the steps of his grandfather back to Haran in search of a bride. What little he had to his name, he has poured out as an offering and first tithe at Bethel, moved by an encounter with the God of his fathers. He travels north boasting nothing he could give as a bride price save his own future labor. According to scholarly efforts to narrow down his timeline, the best estimates have Jacob in his lat 50's as he journeys to his familie's former residence which remains home to his uncle Laban's family and flocks. Jacob will go on to sire his first child around 64-76 years of age, Joseph will be born around his 91^st year. Jacob likely leaves Haran some 40 years after his arrival at 100 years of age and Benjamin is born along the way. Jacob will take refuge in Egypt at 130 years old. Given this biography, every phase of life would present a challenge to Jacob's new found faith at Bethel. Nevertheless, he had the Word of God to cling to along the way. Not just his father Isaac's words of blessing in chapter 28:1-5, but the Word revealed in his stairway dream from Yahweh Himself (28:13-15) “... Behold I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” This promise prevails in the face of monumental challenges the rest of Jacob's days testifying to the sovereignty and steadfast love of his Almighty God...