Bible Study Lessons — Genesis 29:14-30
BobParduePhoto.ComOkay, you’ve found the girl you love and want to marry. But, you find that you have to marry her sister first? This is what happens in Genesis. Jacob marries Rachel and Leah just to please their father.
In this study lesson from the Old Testament Jacob is deceived and works seven years to marry the wrong woman.
Remember Esau and the way Jacob deceived him out of his birthright and blessing?
What goes around …
Marriage of Jacob – Twice! – Jacob Marries Rachel and Leah
Laban said to him, “Surely you are my bone and my flesh.” And he stayed with him a month.
Then Laban said to Jacob, “Because you are my relative, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what shall your wages be?”
Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.
And Leah’s eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful of form and face.
Now Jacob loved Rachel, so he said, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.”
Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you than to give her to another man; stay with me.”
So Jacob served seven years for Rachel and they seemed to him but a few days because of his love for her.
Laban’s Treachery
Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife, for my time is completed, that I may go in to her.”
Laban gathered all the men of the place and made a feast.
Now in the evening he took his daughter Leah, and brought her to him; and Jacob went in to her.
Laban also gave his maid Zilpah to his daughter Leah as a maid.
So it came about in the morning that, behold, it was Leah! And he said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Was it not for Rachel that I served with you? Why then have you deceived me?”
But Laban said, “It is not the practice in our place to marry off the younger before the firstborn.
Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also for the service which you shall serve with me for another seven years.”
Jacob did so and completed her week, and he gave him his daughter Rachel as his wife.
Laban also gave his maid Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her maid.
So Jacob went in to Rachel also, and indeed he loved Rachel more than Leah, and he served with Laban for another seven years. – Genesis 29:14-30 NASB
Jacob Works 14 Years to Marry the One He Loves
Ah… The Power of Love!
Jacob worked for 14 years just because he was in love with Rachel and wanted to marry her.
Would you use up 14 years of your life for the love of a beautiful woman? Wait … Don’t answer that! d:-)
Back to the story …
Why Jacob Had to “Trade”
As shown in the story of Jacob, the custom in those days was to present the bride’s family with a dowry which was a compensation to the family as replacement for the loss of a daughter.
Women performed valuable services and the family was financially hurt by the loss of these services.
Jacob was without riches. He did not have a dowry in money or property so agreed to “work it off” in a sense to pay Laban the dowry.
Working long and hard for something we really want is not a new idea.
Some things are worth waiting for and the end result is more happiness and a fuller life.
“Good Things Come to Those Who Wait”
Patience is unnatural in these days of the Internet, cell phones and instant gratification. But, if you can just wait a little longer for things that really matter good things may come your way.
What Deceit Brings
A twist to the story is the deception and trick that Laban played on the young man.
Jacob was fighting mad when he learned how Laban had tricked him into working seven years for a woman he did not care about.
But still, he agreed for Rachel’s sake and for the sake of keeping with God’s plan for his life , to work seven more years in order to marry Rachel.
It all worked out eventually.
The irony is that Jacob did not see a trick played on him in the same light as a dreadful trick he himself had played earlier in his life.
Remember Esau?
[easyazon_image align=”left” height=”160″ identifier=”031033750X” locale=”US” src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51V2HmVb4DL._SL160_.jpg” tag=”bobpardphot-20″ width=”107″]Always remember that people judge themselves far differently than they judge others.
Think closely about this the next time you are hurt by someone and are planning revenge.
Revenge and lashing out will only take away from what God has planned for you and, believe me, He definitely has a plan for your life. Just ask Him.
Love in Christ
– Bob
If you would like to know more about the love and life-changing experience of Jesus Christ, please take a moment to find out how.