SCRIPTURE: GENESIS 29
BIBLE VERVES:
“Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel had a lovely figure and was beautiful. Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, “I’ll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.” Laban said, “It’s better that I give her to you than to some other man. Stay here with me.” So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.” (Genesis 29:16-19)
“So Laban brought together all the people of the place and gave a feast. But when evening came, he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob, and Jacob made love to her. And Laban gave his servant Zilpah to his daughter as her attendant. When morning came, there was Leah! So Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? I served you for Rachel, didn’t I? Why have you deceived me?” Laban replied, “It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older one. Finish this daughter’s bridal week; then we will give you the younger one also, in return for another seven years of work.” (Genesis :29:22-27)
“And Jacob did so. He finished the week with Leah, and then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife. Laban gave his servant Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her attendant. Jacob made love to Rachel also, and his love for Rachel was greater than his love for Leah. And he worked for Laban another seven years.” (Genesis 29:28-30)
JACOB ARRIVES IN PADDAN ARAM (vs. 1-14)
Jacob continued his journey and reached a well. There, he met shepherds who came to gather water for the sheep. He asked them if they knew Laban. There here came the daughter of Laban Rachel who came with their sheep. He told Rachel that he was a relative of her father and a son of Rebekah. When Laban heard about Jacob, he hurried to meet him and brought him to his house.
JACOB MARRIES LEAH AND RACHEL (vs. 15-35)
After Jacob stayed with Laban for a whole month, Laban offered to give him wages. Since Jacob was in love with Rache, he said” “I will work for you 7 years in return for Rache”. Laban consented and Jacob worked for 7 years. When the time was completed, Jacob asked to be married with Rachel. But Laban cheated him by giving him Leah instead. When Jacob asked him why, Laban replied: “It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older one. Finish this daughter’s bridal week, then I will give you the younger one also in return for another 7 years” (v. 27). Jacob did so. Then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife. He also gave hima servant girl Bilhah.
JACOB’S CHILDREN (vs. 31-35)
Rachel was barren but Leah bore the following sons:
1.. Reuten (meaning it is because the Lord has seen my misery, surely my husband will love me now).
2. Simeon (meaning Because the Lord heard that I am not loved, He gave me this one too).
3. Levi (meaning now at last my husband will became attached to me because I have bore him 3 sons).
4. Judah (meaning this time, time will praise the Lord).
Then, she stopped having children.
THOUGHTS:
Jacob had to work for his uncle to have the woman he loved. Love takes the burden out of work and makes time pass quickly. However, he was deceived by his father-in-law. Now, he was reaping what he had sown because he had deceived his father to get the blessing.