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In the last article, we'd learned that Jacob had delved deeper into his season of reaping? For we now find him, being deceived by his father-in-law? Know that Laban and Jacob had made an agreement, when it came to Jacob marrying Rachel. But Laban would end up instead, tricking Jacob into marrying his oldest daughter Leah.
For Laban had used a willing daughter (Leah), trickery, deceptive rhetoric, along with the marrying customs from within his land -- when it came to pulling off his plan of deception. And because of this, the next day after Jacob had gotten married, he would find himself awakening to a surprise? For he would discover, that his new wife wouldn't be Rachel, the one that he'd worked seven years for. No, for Jacob would learn, that his new wife would end up being Rachel's older sister, Leah. And needless-to-say, Jacob was very upset. But being the mild-mannered, and God-fearing person that he was -- Jacob wouldn't challenge Laban, on what he'd done.
Now remember, that initially, Jacob had agreed to work seven years for Laban -- when it came to tending to his father-in-law's flocks. And Jacob had agreed to do this -- in return for him earning the right, to marry Laban's youngest daughter Rachel. Understand, that Jacob loved Rachel very much, and this is why he had agreed, to work seven years tending to Laban's flocks in the first place. But we now find, that when it came time for Laban to honor his part of the agreement -- he reneged, and tricked Jacob, by giving him his oldest daughter Leah instead. And again, Jacob was not pleased with what Laban had done -- but in spite of this, he endured. Now I also want to point out, that after Jacob had taken over the tending of Laban's flocks, for the last seven years? Jacob had became a huge prosperity blessing for Laban. And this is why, Laban didn't want Jacob to leave -- for he knew that Jacob was the reason, that for the last seven years, he had prospered so greatly.
So we now find, that after Laban had deceived Jacob, he presents his new son-in-law with a new proposal -- which involves Rachel. Know that this new proposal, would require Jacob to work for Laban, for another seven years. And if Jacob would agree to do this, he would earn the right to marry Rachel. And when you add this new seven year proposal, to the seven years that Jacob had already worked -- it would turn out to be 14 years in total. Now Laban knew (unlike himself), that Jacob was a man of his word. And this is why he had agreed, that after Jacob and Leah had spent their first week together, as man and wife, he would immediately give Rachel over to Jacob in marriage as well -- instead of actually making Jacob wait another seven years, to be with her.
However that may have been, Jacob now has two wives -- Rachel, the one that he actually loved and wanted -- and Leah, the one that he did not want, and was tricked into marrying. So it shouldn't surprise us, that Jacob would begin to treat Leah with disdain, being that he didn't love her. As a matter of fact, he despised her -- and so therefore, he treated her according to the way that he had felt about her. But regardless of Jacob's possible reasons, when it came to his unfair treatment of Leah. Know that Jacob was still in the wrong, for treating her, the way that he did. And in actuality, you would think that Jacob would be a little bit more sensitive to her feelings, being that he himself, grew up in a similar emotional situation? Remember that Jacob had spent the early part of his life, constantly trying to compete with his older twin brother Esau, when it came to his father's love and attention.
However, perhaps this is why we now find, that during this time of emotional hardship for Leah -- the Sacred Record revealing, that Rachel was now found to be barren, for she couldn't have any kids of her own at this time. And personally, I often wonder, if Rachel's condition was brought on, because of Jacob's mistreatment towards Leah? Nonetheless, when it came to Leah, the Lord had smiled on her greatly -- for she was (unlike Rachel) able to bear children of her very own. And because of this, Leah would be given the honor of giving birth to Jacob's first child, which was a boy that she named Reuben. For his name signified (see, a son). Now understand, that he was named according to the way, that Leah had felt at the time that she had given birth. Also know, that by her being able to give birth to Jacob's first born son, she'd hoped, that this would be enough to win his love. And this is why we have her naming her son Reuben (see, a son), for it was Leah's way of showing Jacob, her true worthiness as a wife: "It is because the Lord has seen my misery, surely my husband will love me now." -- Genesis 29:32
But Leah's child-bearing season wouldn't end there_-- for we now find, that God would continue to show Leah favor, by allowing her to conceive once again. And this time around, Leah would name the child Simeon. For his name would signified (One who hears). Understand, that Leah had felt, that because she had been treated so unfairly -- God had look down from the heavens, and saw the hardships and afflictions, that Leah was going through, and so therefore, blessed her with another son. And God still wasn't done with Leah, for He would smile on her again, by allowing her to bear another son. Now she would name this son Levi. For his name meant (joined). Now keep in mind, that this is the beginning of the twelve tribe foundation, that will eventually bring forth the great nation of Israel. And also know, that with the birth of Levi -- Leah would eventually gain the tremendous honor, of being the mother of the tribe, that the Levitical Priesthood would eventually come from.
However, God still wasn't done with Leah -- for He allowed her to bear another son for Jacob, and this time around, she'd called him Judah. For his name signified (praise). Now understand, that this name was very fitting for this child? For we would eventually discover, that Judah would become the forefather of the tribe, that our Lord and Savior Jesus [Yeshua] Christ would eventually come from: "I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring." -- (Genesis 28:13,14) Also know, that with Jesus Christ being the True Messiah, Redeemer, and Savior of all humanity -- how can one, not honestly see, that this would be the ultimate blessing to all of mankind? For the Sacred Record alone, proves that Jesus Christ is the "True Promised Messiah" that the "prophets of old" constantly spoke and wrote about. After all, Jesus did fulfill all the messianic prophecies, that dealt with the Messiah's first coming into the natural world. The very same prophecies, that were written and spoken throughout time, by God's great prophets of old which included: Isaiah, Moses, Jeremiah, Zechariah, Nathan (2 Samuel 7:11,12) Daniel and Micah.
Now that Leah has the favor of the Lord, and the honor and respect of being the wife, that had given birth to Jacob's first four sons. How will Rachel react? Will she stand pat, and accept the fact, that she can't have her own children, or will she try to take matters into her own hands?
The Sons of God - The Daughters of Men **YOUR CURRENT - BIBLE STUDY ONLINE SERIES - WOULD BE HERE**
43) Jacob - The Path of Uncertainty 44) Jacob - The Stone Pillow Dream 46) Jacob - The Love Season of Reaping 47) <-CURRENT - BIBLE STUDY ONLINE - PAGE-> 50) The Mandrake Plant of Love
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