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 (Num. 20:12), for rebellion (Num. 27:14), for trespass (Deut. 32:51), and for rash words (Ps. 106:33).

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

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

This excerpt is from When Critics Ask: A Popular Handbook on Bible Difficulties (Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books, 1992). © 2014 Norman Geisler and Thomas Howe. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Click here to purchase this book.