# 26 2023 Dev. Gen.29:19. True Love! Read all of chapter twenty nine first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.
Gen.29:19 “Laban said, ‘It’s better that I give her to you than to some other man. Stay here with me.’ 20 So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.”
Gen.29 This chapter sets the stage for a love story. It goes on around a well. How many times doesn’t a major event in scripture happen at a well? Obviously it is love at first sight. It appears that Jacob in he eagerness to please Rachel, breaks the rules of watering the sheep.
Vs.1-13 Is an introduction, we see God’s hand in the events that follow. Certainly, God’s hand is in all things, but some are more obvious than others. When something unusual happens or unexpected we often say: “It’s a God thing!”
Vs.14-19 I think at this point Laban starts his deception. “Tell me what your wages should be.” After a month, I’m sure is was obvious who Jacob was in love with. “Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, ‘I’ll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.’” To Jacob, “ they seemed like only a few days.” Seven years, hard to imagine waiting in celibacy while in daily contact. Marriage is sacred and it should be regarded as such, and still is by a few couples, but we live in a different world today to the detriment of the institution of marriage. Amen!
Vs.21-25 “So Laban brought together the people of the place and gave a feast. But Laban exchanged Leah, his order daughter for Rachel.” It is not hard to imagine that such an exchange was possible. Brides were totally covered and vailed, and in the heat of the moment, in total darkness it was possible. But the sisters had to have been in agreement. Jacob the deceiver had met his match.
Vs.26-28 the excuse was; “Laban replied, “it is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older one.” The whole thing was a scam, Laban knew very well that Jacob would work for an other seven years to also have Rachel. Fourteen years, no pay but room and board and two wives vying with each other. But God is in control, all this comes back to haunt Laban who was not the richer for all of his scheming. A word to the foolish and the wise!
Vs.31-36 “When the Lord saw that Leah was not loved, he enabled her to conceive, but Rachel remained childless.” Leah had four sons in a row, the desired gender in those days but Rachel had none. Judah is the fourth child, it is of note that Judah is in the direct line of Jesus Christ. God is still in control, thanks be to God!
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