In Genesis 31, Jacob notices that Laban and his sons were becoming increasingly hostile toward him. The Lord told Jacob to "Go back to the land of your father and your relatives ( Canaan) and I will be with you". So he took his family, household, livestock, and belongings, but left without telling Laban. When Laban learned of their departure, he pursued Jacob for seven days and caught up with him, but the Lord warned Laban in a dream, saying "Be careful not to say anything to Jacob , either good or bad". So, when Laban confronted Jacob about fleeing in secret, he said "It is in my power to do you harm, but the God of your father spoke to me last night and warned me to be careful not to harm you or speak anything to you". Rachel had taken Laban's household idols when they left, so Laban searched through their stuff looking for his stolen idols. Jacob became angry and lectured Laban about how he had served him in his house for twenty years, yet he still treated Jacob unfairly, Jacob said, "If the God of my father...had not been for me, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed, but God has seen my affliction and the toil of my hands, so He rendered judgment last night." Laban offered a covenant with Jacob , asking the Lord to "watch between you and me... God is witness between you and me... that I will not harm you .. and you will not harm me.. and the God of Abraham judge between us". Laban then departed and returned to his home.