Bible Study Online Article

In the last article we'd learned, that after Jacob had set out on his own -- he would eventually run into some shepherds, who were dwelling in the east. It would also be at this time, that Jacob would also meet the very beautiful shepherdess, who was known as Rachel.

Now after he'd met with Rachel, she introduced Jacob to her father Laban (who was by the way, Jacob's uncle.)

And after Jacob had met Rachel's father, Laban would extend an invitation to him.

For he wanted Jacob to come and stay at his house, since he was family, and had nowhere else to stay at the time.

And although Jacob was a guest in his uncle's house, know that he wouldn't become idle and lazy?

For Jacob would show his appreciation, by helping Rachel's family, when it came to the tending of Laban's flocks.

Now keep in mind, that Jacob (in his own right) was himself, a very knowledgeable and skill shepherd. Plus, he would see this arrangement as a win-win for himself? For he knew, that by him helping out with Laban's flocks, he would be able to gain more access to Rachel, for she was the one that he'd seemed to adore very much.

Be that as it may, we find that Laban was very impressed by Jacob's ingenious and industrious work ethic, especially when it came to the way Jacob tended the flocks. Know that Jacob had stayed there and helped out for about one month before Laban had approached him and asked him a question: "Just because you are a relative of mine, should you work for me for nothing? Tell me what your wages should be."

Know it's at this time, that I would like to briefly point out, that Laban also had another daughter? For she was Laban's older daughter, who'd went by the name Leah. Now remember, that we've already been introduced to the younger daughter Rachel. Now for curiosity sake, know that the name "Leah" meant: (gazelle). And remember, that I pointed out before, that the name "Rachel" signified: (a sheep).

I would also like to point out at this time, that Jacob at this particular time in his life, was about 77 years old. Now understand, that being 77 back during this time, is not the same as being 77 in today's time. For we must remember, that Jacob would live to be about 147 years old, so in retrospect, Jacob was a middle age man at this time in his life.

However that may have been, as we now move along... we now find, that the Sacred Record informs us, that Leah was tender-eyed? Now this probably meant, that her eyes were soft and moist. Which was a facial feature, that likely made her out to be very ordinary looking. But when it came to Rachel, the Sacred Record makes it very clear, that Rachel was very beautiful and lovely in form.

Now this is why we find, that Jacob very much adored, and loved Rachel: "Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah had weak [tender, delicate] eyes, but Rachel was lovely in form, and beautiful." -- Genesis 29:16,17

Now remember, that earlier, Laban had asked Jacob: "Just because you are a relative of mine, should you work for me for nothing? Tell me what your wages should be." Now after hearing this, Jacob responded by saying: "I'll work for you seven years in return for younger daughter Rachel." And it would be at this time, that Laban had suggested: "It's better that I give her to you than to some other man. Stay here with me."

So it's at this point, that Jacob and Laban had entered into an agreement with each other, when it came to Jacob earning the right to marry Rachel. And because of this agreement, Jacob would work seven years in Laban's household. Know that the love that Jacob had for Rachel, was very real and quite strong? Now I'm pointing this out, because when it came to Jacob, the seven years of labor that he had agreed to (and would eventually finish) seemed like only a few days to him.

Plus we have to keep in mind, that Jacob was working closely with Rachel anyway, being that she too, worked with the flocks. Now as we move forward a bit... the Sacred Record would inform us, that after the seven year period had passed -- Jacob had approached Laban and demanded: "Give me my wife, my time is completed, and I want to lie with her." And after hearing this, Laban was like: "Very well." And he proceeded to bring together all his relatives, and he also invited his surrounding neighbors as well. And it's at this time, that he'd given them a great feast, in what seemed to be in honor of Jacob and Rachel?

But in actuality, when evening came, Laban had different plans...? Understand that in this place, it was custom for the husband to have his wife brought to him, while he waited in a dark room. And it would be at this time, that the wife would enter with a veil over her face. Now it's crucial that you keep this in mind, as we move forward? For as we journey forth, we'll find that Jacob had waited for his wife, as he sat in his dark tent. And it would also be at this time, that Laban would then present Jacob with his new wife. And according to the custom in that place, Jacob that night, would lay with her.

Now as the night had ended, and morning had entered in, Jacob had awaken. But know that there would be an immediate problem, that he would face? For the Sacred Record would reveal, that Jacob had discovered that it was Leah (Laban's oldest daughter) who was lying beside him, instead of Rachel. And make no mistake, Jacob had thought, that he had laid with Rachel -- you know, the woman he'd worked seven years for? Nonetheless, it would be apparent, that Laban had crafted a plan with his daughter Leah, in order to deceive Jacob.

Now understand, that Laban's deceitful plan, would serve not only him, and Leah -- but it would also serve God as well. Which would probably explain, why the Lord had allowed the plan to go forward? Nonetheless, know that this will be done in a couple of ways:

First: This plan would finally get Leah the husband that she'd longed for. With her being described as being a simple looking woman, it was probably hard for her to find a man that would want to marry her.

Second: Laban knew that Jacob really loved and wanted Rachel, and so therefore, he used Jacob's emotional weakness against him. For Laban would use Jacob's weakness -- in the hopes, to get Jacob to work for Rachel's hand in marriage, for a little bit longer.

Third: I personally believe, that God would use Laban's plan in such a way -- that would bring Jacob deeper into a "season of reaping?" For I hold the notion, that Jacob's "season of reaping" stems from the fact -- that sometime ago, he himself, had deceived his own father Isaac, and his brother Esau. And because of his past deceitful actions -- Jacob must now endure a season, that has come upon his own life, that's filled emotional disappointments, and hardships.

For I truly believe, that Jacob's "season of reaping" began, when he was prompted to leave his father's estate, for he wanted to escape the wrath of his brother Esau. Now we find, that later on in his life, Jacob would now be deceived by his own father-in-law. And on top of this, he has to deal with the fact, that he has now worked seven years for a woman, that he did not love, or want to marry.

Now after learning of what just had happened to him, Jacob would immediately seek out Laban. And once he'd came before him, he demanded to know "why?" : "What is this you have done to me? I served you for Rachel didn't I? Why have you deceived me?" And after hearing this, Laban responded by saying: "It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older one. Finish this daughter bridal week; then we will give you the younger one also, in return for another seven years of work." -- Genesis 29:26,27

And since Jacob had loved Rachel with all his heart, and even though he was very disappointed in what just had happened -- Jacob would agree, to work for Laban, for another seven years -- so that he could finally marry Rachel. So Jacob would finish out his bridal week with Leah, and it's at this time, that Laban would then give Rachel over to Jacob. And now that Rachel, was finally Jacob's wife, he would lay with her that night.

Now I also want to point out, that Jacob would not retaliate against his father-in-law. But what Jacob did instead, was to keep true to his word, by working for Laban for another seven years. And both of Laban's daughters, would also receive handmaidens from their father as well. For Leah on her wedding day, received her handmaiden, who'd went by the name "Zilpah." And Rachel, a week later, also received a handmaiden, who'd went by the name "Bilhah."

So we just learned that Jacob had to work extremely hard, for the woman that he'd loved. Now in the next article, we'll find, that the women will compete, for their new husband. Hmm? It would seem, that things begin to get a little bit more interesting.

God Creates the Earth

The Sons of God - The Daughters of Men

The Introduction of Abraham

The Birth of Isaac

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Jacob - Wrestles with God

Joseph the Favorite Son

Joseph the Overseer of Egypt

The Unveiling of Joseph

42) Esau - Heart of Vengeance

43) Jacob - The Path of Uncertainty

44) Jacob - The Stone Pillow Dream

45) Rachel the Shepherdess

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47) Leah's Divine Favor

48) Bilhah the Child Bearer

49) Zilpah the Child Bearer

50) The Mandrake Plant of Love

51) The Birth of Joseph

52) Spotted & Speckled

53) Jacob the Master Shepherd

54) Jacob the Prosperous

55) Jacob Departs from Laban