Though Jacob had left Padan-aram in obedience to the divine direction, it was not without many misgivings that he retraced the road which he had trodden as a fugitive twenty years before. His sin in the deception of his father was ever before him. He knew that his long exile was the direct result of that sin, and he pondered over these things day and night, the reproaches of an accusing conscience making his journey very sad. As the hills of his native land appeared before him in the distance, the heart of the patriarch was deeply moved. All the past rose vividly before him. With the memory of his sin came also the thought of God's favor toward him, and the promises of divine help and guidance.

Laban kunne ikke benægte de kendsgerninger, der blev fremsat, og han foreslog nu, at de skulle slutte en fredspagt. Jakob gik ind på forslaget, og der blev rejst en stenstøtte som tegn på pagten. Denne støtte kaldte Laban Mizpa, "vagtsted" thi han sagde: "Herren skal stå vagt mellem mig og dig, når vi skilles."