God’s command (v. 9b). Jacob certainly was happy to get out from under Laban’s control, but it was God’s idea that he leave Padan Aram and return to his own land (31:13). Jacob forgot that God’s commandment always involves God’s enablement, for the will of God will never lead us where the power of God can’t protect us and provide for us. But Jacob’s imagination ran ahead of his theology, and he was sure Esau was coming to destroy him.