Sunday, November 27, 2005
Genesis 35
“Encounters”
To this point, the bible has been taking a serious look at the life of Jacob, the man who will become Israel, “one who is governed by God”. He has not been the most upstanding character to date, but, because God is a merciful God, He has elected Jacob and is working in him.
Jacob is at this point a “Believer”, one who has a faith in God, however shallow or immature as it may be. Even so, this is only by the grace of God.
Jacob had an initial conversion type of encounter just after he left his home to go out in search of a wife (Genesis 28). God meets him, and God speaks to him in a dream. This is the first of several encounters with God for Jacob.
The next encounter was as he was leaving his uncle’s home. On the road (Genesis 32) Jacob actually wrestles with God. This is the first time Jacob hears the name Israel. God tells him that he will become Israel, “one who is governed by God”. It doesn’t happen then, but Jacob knows that it is coming.
Vs. 1-5 “God sends Jacob to Bethel”
God tells Jacob to leave the place he is in and to take his family to Bethel and worship Him. This is the place that God first appeared to Jacob, when he was running from Esau.
Jacob, as said earlier, has a faith in God, but he is an idolater as well. In order to worship God, he knows he is to rid himself of the false idols that he also gives himself to. Jacob calls God, “the God who answers me in my distress.”
So, they gave up all their idols, and journeyed towards Bethel, and God protected them during their travel.
Vs. 6-10 “Jacob is now Israel”
When Jacob arrives in Bethel, he worships and has another significant encounter with God. At this time, God appears to Jacob and blesses him. It is now that God fulfills the promise, and he is now to be called Israel. This is one of the most pivotal times in Israel’s life. He not only receives a new name, but God works in him a new character.
Vs. 11-15 “God Almighty”
God speaks directly to Israel and blesses him. This is the passing on of the promise to his grandfather Abraham, and his father Isaac, now it is his.
God reveals Himself to Israel by saying, “I am God Almighty”. What an amazing thing to have God give you a name for Himself that reveals a part of His character and nature. That only happens to a handful of people in the history. So, Jacob worships and gives offering. Truly an encounter with God that impacts and changes the nature of Israel’s faith in God.
Vs. 16-End “The Deaths of Rachel and Isaac”
During childbirth, Rachel dies just after hearing that she has delivered a boy, who will become known as Benjamin, the youngest of Israel. At some point later, Isaac, Israel’s father also dies, and Esau and Israel bury him together. This burial by both sons is a beautiful picture of the restoration of a family.
Summary
This chapter takes us on a journey through the transformation of Jacob, as he learns what it is to follow God. Many people experience a journey of encounters much the same as Israel did.
First Jacob is a “lukewarm” believer who even worships other idols, and only calls out to God in distress. That is like many, who only want God when they are in trouble, and keep many things (much like idols – whether they are sins, relationships, or habits) before God. Eventually, God calls on Jacob to surrender all to Him, and when he does, that is when the blessing comes.
Blessing only comes when you surrender all to God, until then you only experience God’s patience!
To this point, the bible has been taking a serious look at the life of Jacob, the man who will become Israel, “one who is governed by God”. He has not been the most upstanding character to date, but, because God is a merciful God, He has elected Jacob and is working in him.
Jacob is at this point a “Believer”, one who has a faith in God, however shallow or immature as it may be. Even so, this is only by the grace of God.
Jacob had an initial conversion type of encounter just after he left his home to go out in search of a wife (Genesis 28). God meets him, and God speaks to him in a dream. This is the first of several encounters with God for Jacob.
The next encounter was as he was leaving his uncle’s home. On the road (Genesis 32) Jacob actually wrestles with God. This is the first time Jacob hears the name Israel. God tells him that he will become Israel, “one who is governed by God”. It doesn’t happen then, but Jacob knows that it is coming.
Vs. 1-5 “God sends Jacob to Bethel”
God tells Jacob to leave the place he is in and to take his family to Bethel and worship Him. This is the place that God first appeared to Jacob, when he was running from Esau.
Jacob, as said earlier, has a faith in God, but he is an idolater as well. In order to worship God, he knows he is to rid himself of the false idols that he also gives himself to. Jacob calls God, “the God who answers me in my distress.”
So, they gave up all their idols, and journeyed towards Bethel, and God protected them during their travel.
Vs. 6-10 “Jacob is now Israel”
When Jacob arrives in Bethel, he worships and has another significant encounter with God. At this time, God appears to Jacob and blesses him. It is now that God fulfills the promise, and he is now to be called Israel. This is one of the most pivotal times in Israel’s life. He not only receives a new name, but God works in him a new character.
Vs. 11-15 “God Almighty”
God speaks directly to Israel and blesses him. This is the passing on of the promise to his grandfather Abraham, and his father Isaac, now it is his.
God reveals Himself to Israel by saying, “I am God Almighty”. What an amazing thing to have God give you a name for Himself that reveals a part of His character and nature. That only happens to a handful of people in the history. So, Jacob worships and gives offering. Truly an encounter with God that impacts and changes the nature of Israel’s faith in God.
Vs. 16-End “The Deaths of Rachel and Isaac”
During childbirth, Rachel dies just after hearing that she has delivered a boy, who will become known as Benjamin, the youngest of Israel. At some point later, Isaac, Israel’s father also dies, and Esau and Israel bury him together. This burial by both sons is a beautiful picture of the restoration of a family.
Summary
This chapter takes us on a journey through the transformation of Jacob, as he learns what it is to follow God. Many people experience a journey of encounters much the same as Israel did.
First Jacob is a “lukewarm” believer who even worships other idols, and only calls out to God in distress. That is like many, who only want God when they are in trouble, and keep many things (much like idols – whether they are sins, relationships, or habits) before God. Eventually, God calls on Jacob to surrender all to Him, and when he does, that is when the blessing comes.
Blessing only comes when you surrender all to God, until then you only experience God’s patience!
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Genesis 34
“Payback”
Vs. 1-7
It is obvious here that there is an encounter with Dinah that is sexual, but depending on the reader, what actually happened could be interpreted different ways. The words he “violated or humiliated” her are so strong here that we often assume that the young girl was forced upon.
This is not what the text is implying. Here is makes a statement about a man of the city seducing a young woman who has gone out to “see what she can see” in the city where she lives. The reason we read it to be anything different is because we are so used to pre-marital sex that it is commonplace.
So, was Dinah looking for sex? No. She was just out seeing the city in which they were now living, and an older man (she was probably only 15) seduced her. After this, the man decides that he wants to marry her. We see this in the way he “spoke tenderly to her”.
Now, when the father and the brothers of Dinah find this out, they are angry. This was an act that violated God’s law, and the culture. This was wrong.
Vs. 8-12
Not that attempts to be correct, after acts that are wrong, ever make anything better. But, the men of the city who had done this come and try and make marriages with Jacob’s family. They offer to do whatever it takes to marry Dinah to Hamor.
Vs. 13-17
Sadly, Jacob’s family responds with deceit. In fact, the agreement that they use is the equivalent of “if you become a Christian, my family will accept you to marry her”, when in fact all they are doing is lying to them. They use an excuse that deals with God, to get their own way.
Vs. 18-24
So, all of the cities men circumcised themselves. They thought that if they did this, they could marry the women, and take control of the cattle and assets.
Vs. 25-29
So, when all the men were sore from circumcision, the sons of Jacob, brothers to Dinah, went in and killed the men of the city in order to avenge the honor of their sister.
Vs. 30-End
Jacob then hears what they did, and tells them that they have now caused more trouble.
Thoughts:
Dinah:
This young girls seemed to go “out into the world” looking for something to do. Obviously she was young, and probably tired of being at home with all the brothers. Unfortunately she was not prepared for what she found.
We are often like Dinah. We go out blindly looking for something better than what we have. We think that we will find it in the world. What we end up with is something that has seduced us into disobeying God.
We seem to learn, only after humiliating ourselves, that the things of the world are only misleading, and lead to problems.
Monday, November 21, 2005
Genesis 32
“An Encounter with the Living God”
Vs. 1-8
Jacob has now left the land of Laban, and is moving towards his home. He sends word ahead that he is on his way. The messengers get to Esau and tell him that Jacob and his family are on their way, and that the are bringing gifts. All Jacob has to hear is that Esua is coming with 400 men, and Jacob is fearful.
Bearing in mind that Jacob last saw Esau just after he had tricked his father by stealing the blessing from Esau, it is no wonder Jacob is fearful. Jacob’s fear comes from the sins he has committed that he has never dealt with.
Vs. 9-12
Jacob’s first response is to take matters into his own hands by splitting the camp to try and protect himself. Even though in the first verse of this chapter Jacob sees the Angels of God traveling with him. Jacob has not learned to go to God first yet, but at least in these verses he finally consults God.
Jacob petitions God to hear his prayer and to remember the promise given to Jacob. Jacob is beginning to realize that life is not accomplished on his own skill as he thought when he was young, but rather that it is upon the blessing of God.
Vs. 13-21
As we saw in the last passage, Jacob is learning to rely on God, but still he relies on his own plan as well. He sends waves of gifts to Esau, hoping to “butter him up”.
Vs. 22-end
Jacob Wrestles with God Himself. Jacob doesn’t really realize the significance of who or what he is wrestling with at first, but by morning, Jacob realizes he has come face to face with the living God. God re-names Jacob, Israel. Israel means “Governed by God”. Jacob will no longer be the con-artist that he has been in the past, but now he will become one who is governed by God.
Jacob finishes by naming the location in which he had this encounter with God saying, “I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.” It is interesting that the closer we come to God, the more real we see ourselves.
Isaiah mentions the same thing when he sees God. He says “Woe to me! I am ruined/undone/lost [I am going to die]: for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!”
As we see God for Who He truly is, we also begin to see who we truly are, and it isn’t pretty. Pray that you will begin to see the reality of Who God is, and that it will shape what you see about yourself.
“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”
Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV)
Friday, November 18, 2005
Genesis 31
“Jacob Flees from Laban”
Vs. 1-13
It seems that there was much jealousy surrounding the life of Jacob, as is often the case when God blesses people. It is even more frequently the case when dishonest people are blessed, people wonder why them.
Jacob is a follower of God, but is obviously living a compromised life, and people must wonder why God is blessing him. The answer is that God has a plan for his life, despite himself! So, Laban and family want to see him gone. So, Jacob sends for his wives.
Vs. 14-18
We see a shift in Jacob, Rachel, and Leah. They begin to start following God more seriously in this chapter. They begin to realize that God is there only way in life.
Like many of us, it is through trials and hard times that they turn to God. I know that in times that are tough, I press in to God. If only we could learn to do this without the trials!
Vs. 19-21
Well, they were starting to listen to God, and then they do this. Just as many often do, they revert back to the sinful lifestyle of their youth.
Vs. 22-30
God protects Jacob from Laban even when Jacob and his family are in sin. God is good to us always, not just when we deserve it. If this were not true, none of us would be capable of ever being blessed by God. So, God tells Laban not to hurt Jacob.
Vs. 31-32
Laban asked Jacob why he did things the way he did them. He answers with the truth that he is afraid.
Fear is a direct result of not trusting God. Had Jacob trusted God, he would have done things differently, and not the way he did them
Vs. 33-36
Laban searches Jacob’s tents and does not find the idols. He doesn’t make Rachel get up, and therefore doesn’t find the idols that are under her.
Vs. 36-42
Jacob berates Laban. It is funny that Jacob doesn’t often see his guilt in things, until God confronts him with it. Jacob is ready to point out the others guilt quickly though!
Vs. 43-55
Pillars are set up as a covenant and a witness. This is to ensure that the two men do not go back on their deals.
Summary:
The two men, Jacob and Laban, are both guilty of robbing each other, and conning each other at length. Neither is innocent, and neither is without blame. There is only one difference: God’s hand is on Jacob. Amazingly God continues time and again to bless Jacob, even though Jacob is undeserving.
God blesses when He chooses to, for His glory alone. It is up to us to begin to be people who see the blessings, and start living lives worthy of them.
So why change?
Some might think that if Jacob is still living life “his way” and not honoring God, yet God blesses him, why can’t I live life my way and expect God to bless me. Jacob’s pain is in his constant running. God has promised to give him the land he is on, yet He hasn’t because Jacob still has lessons to learn, and character to forge.
We will not get God’s blessings and promises, or at least all that we could get, until we have become who God requires us to be. God is still protecting Jacob, but the real blessing are still waiting for Jacob to become “Israel”, one who is governed by God. That comes with obedience.
Vs. 1-13
It seems that there was much jealousy surrounding the life of Jacob, as is often the case when God blesses people. It is even more frequently the case when dishonest people are blessed, people wonder why them.
Jacob is a follower of God, but is obviously living a compromised life, and people must wonder why God is blessing him. The answer is that God has a plan for his life, despite himself! So, Laban and family want to see him gone. So, Jacob sends for his wives.
Vs. 14-18
We see a shift in Jacob, Rachel, and Leah. They begin to start following God more seriously in this chapter. They begin to realize that God is there only way in life.
Like many of us, it is through trials and hard times that they turn to God. I know that in times that are tough, I press in to God. If only we could learn to do this without the trials!
Vs. 19-21
Well, they were starting to listen to God, and then they do this. Just as many often do, they revert back to the sinful lifestyle of their youth.
Vs. 22-30
God protects Jacob from Laban even when Jacob and his family are in sin. God is good to us always, not just when we deserve it. If this were not true, none of us would be capable of ever being blessed by God. So, God tells Laban not to hurt Jacob.
Vs. 31-32
Laban asked Jacob why he did things the way he did them. He answers with the truth that he is afraid.
Fear is a direct result of not trusting God. Had Jacob trusted God, he would have done things differently, and not the way he did them
Vs. 33-36
Laban searches Jacob’s tents and does not find the idols. He doesn’t make Rachel get up, and therefore doesn’t find the idols that are under her.
Vs. 36-42
Jacob berates Laban. It is funny that Jacob doesn’t often see his guilt in things, until God confronts him with it. Jacob is ready to point out the others guilt quickly though!
Vs. 43-55
Pillars are set up as a covenant and a witness. This is to ensure that the two men do not go back on their deals.
Summary:
The two men, Jacob and Laban, are both guilty of robbing each other, and conning each other at length. Neither is innocent, and neither is without blame. There is only one difference: God’s hand is on Jacob. Amazingly God continues time and again to bless Jacob, even though Jacob is undeserving.
God blesses when He chooses to, for His glory alone. It is up to us to begin to be people who see the blessings, and start living lives worthy of them.
So why change?
Some might think that if Jacob is still living life “his way” and not honoring God, yet God blesses him, why can’t I live life my way and expect God to bless me. Jacob’s pain is in his constant running. God has promised to give him the land he is on, yet He hasn’t because Jacob still has lessons to learn, and character to forge.
We will not get God’s blessings and promises, or at least all that we could get, until we have become who God requires us to be. God is still protecting Jacob, but the real blessing are still waiting for Jacob to become “Israel”, one who is governed by God. That comes with obedience.
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Genesis 30
Genesis 30
“The Penalties of Sin”
Last chapter we saw that Jacob had been taken advantage of by Laban. He had worked and been promised things, and then the promises were not kept correctly. We definitely see the beginnings of dysfunction in this family of Jacob’s. Jacob now has two wives, Leah and Rachel, and this is going to become a problem.
Vs. 1-8
Whenever the “one man and one woman” plan of God is not honored, you can guarantee problems. This is no exception. Rachel, even though she is the one who is obviously Jacob’s favorite according to the last chapter, suffers from jealousy and comparison. She is loved by Jacob, but is not able to have children, and this tears at her. So, she gives her servant girl Bilhah to Jacob (reminiscent of his father and mother!!!) and Jacob sleeps with her, and has children.
Rachel never does feel loved, she just feels that she has kept up with her sister. Rachel shows this by saying, “I have had a great struggle with my sister, and I have won.” Obviously, this is not going to solve anything.
Vs. 9-16
Leah now feels that she has lost her “edge”. She also follows suit, and gives her servant Zilpah to Jacob to sleep with. And, of course, he does. He then has children with Zilpah, that Leah names. The names show she shares in the struggle for Jacob’s love with her sister.
In the time of harvest, the battle moves on between the two women. Unfortunately, they include the children in the conflict. Then it escalates to a new level. They begin to trade favors for the ability to sleep with Jacob. Leah actually tells Jacob that she has “hired him”.
Vs. 17-24
There are two interesting verses that stand out. Vs. 17 says, “God listened to Leah”, and vs. 22, “Then God remembered Rachel”. These verses give hope. Even though the two women were not living very faith filled lives, God blessed them anyhow.
Vs. 25-28
Jacob asks to be able to take his family and leave, but Laban petitions him to stay. He agrees to pay Jacob whatever he asks.
Vs. 29-36
Jacob makes a deal to separate all the speckled animals from the flock and keep them as his own. You have to love that Jacob says “and my honesty will testify for me in the future”!!! Anyhow, the deal is made.
Vs. 37-43
The wind up of the rest of this passage is that Jacob spends all his effort on scheming and deceiving. He dishonestly begins to create his own flock by insuring that the healthy mate, and the young all come out speckled. This way all the healthy of the flocks are his, and the un-healthy are Laban’s.
So does Laban deserve it? Yes, of course he does. But, does that give Jacob any justification in God’s eyes? No, it is still sin.
The greatest part of the whole story is that God continues to bless Jacob anyhow. Many might ask why God would honor and bless Jacob while he is still in sin. The answer is that God is sovereign and has a plan to use Jacob. Jacob will have to deal with his sins, and the penalties of his sin.
Just as he is no longer living with his own family, but living far from home because of his sin, he will have to pay for these things as well. The good news is that God is still in charge, and Jacob will end up a changed man.
Remember:
God doesn’t save good people; God saves wicked people because He is a good God!
“The Penalties of Sin”
Last chapter we saw that Jacob had been taken advantage of by Laban. He had worked and been promised things, and then the promises were not kept correctly. We definitely see the beginnings of dysfunction in this family of Jacob’s. Jacob now has two wives, Leah and Rachel, and this is going to become a problem.
Vs. 1-8
Whenever the “one man and one woman” plan of God is not honored, you can guarantee problems. This is no exception. Rachel, even though she is the one who is obviously Jacob’s favorite according to the last chapter, suffers from jealousy and comparison. She is loved by Jacob, but is not able to have children, and this tears at her. So, she gives her servant girl Bilhah to Jacob (reminiscent of his father and mother!!!) and Jacob sleeps with her, and has children.
Rachel never does feel loved, she just feels that she has kept up with her sister. Rachel shows this by saying, “I have had a great struggle with my sister, and I have won.” Obviously, this is not going to solve anything.
Vs. 9-16
Leah now feels that she has lost her “edge”. She also follows suit, and gives her servant Zilpah to Jacob to sleep with. And, of course, he does. He then has children with Zilpah, that Leah names. The names show she shares in the struggle for Jacob’s love with her sister.
In the time of harvest, the battle moves on between the two women. Unfortunately, they include the children in the conflict. Then it escalates to a new level. They begin to trade favors for the ability to sleep with Jacob. Leah actually tells Jacob that she has “hired him”.
Vs. 17-24
There are two interesting verses that stand out. Vs. 17 says, “God listened to Leah”, and vs. 22, “Then God remembered Rachel”. These verses give hope. Even though the two women were not living very faith filled lives, God blessed them anyhow.
Vs. 25-28
Jacob asks to be able to take his family and leave, but Laban petitions him to stay. He agrees to pay Jacob whatever he asks.
Vs. 29-36
Jacob makes a deal to separate all the speckled animals from the flock and keep them as his own. You have to love that Jacob says “and my honesty will testify for me in the future”!!! Anyhow, the deal is made.
Vs. 37-43
The wind up of the rest of this passage is that Jacob spends all his effort on scheming and deceiving. He dishonestly begins to create his own flock by insuring that the healthy mate, and the young all come out speckled. This way all the healthy of the flocks are his, and the un-healthy are Laban’s.
So does Laban deserve it? Yes, of course he does. But, does that give Jacob any justification in God’s eyes? No, it is still sin.
The greatest part of the whole story is that God continues to bless Jacob anyhow. Many might ask why God would honor and bless Jacob while he is still in sin. The answer is that God is sovereign and has a plan to use Jacob. Jacob will have to deal with his sins, and the penalties of his sin.
Just as he is no longer living with his own family, but living far from home because of his sin, he will have to pay for these things as well. The good news is that God is still in charge, and Jacob will end up a changed man.
Remember:
God doesn’t save good people; God saves wicked people because He is a good God!
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Genesis 29
Genesis 29
“The con-artist gets conned”
In Chapter 28, Jacob left his home and went out to the land of his family. On the way, he has had a dream from God and is in what you might call a conversional part of his life. He is starting to change and become the person that God is intending for him to be.
Vs. 1-10
Jacob arrives in Padan Aram. He meets some of the people that live there, and he sees for the first time Rachel, whom he obviously falls for right from the beginning. Notice that though Jacob has had an experience with God that is going to start shaping his life, he still has some of the old nature in him. He immediately wants to send the others away, for he is used to being deceitful to gain what he wants. He must figure that without anyone around, he can make a play for the beautiful Rachel.
The stone that needed to be rolled away was a large flat rock that was used to cover the mouth of a cistern like this. It obviously took more than one man to roll it away, because already there were three shepherds and they hadn’t moved it yet. Of course, Jacob, who wants to impress Rachel and get rid of the other shepherds, somehow moves it alone. Men in love do such crazy things for beautiful women!
Vs. 11-12
The custom of a kiss was normal, but the weeping aloud was different. Either, Jacob was that moved, or Jacob was again up to his cunning tricks. Rachel now runs to tell her father that she has a relative for him to meet.
Vs. 13-15
Jacob has now met his match. Laban is a man who is out for himself just like Jacob has been up to this point. Laban calls him flesh and blood, but instead of treating him that way, he treats him as a worker. Laban should have helped set Jacob up with a start of his own, as a family member (see Gen. 30:25-34).
Vs. 16-17
Very simply, Leah had eyes that lacked the fire that was seen as attractive in those days. She was just not as attractive as Rachel. Rachel, on the other hand, was beautiful, and Jacob found her to be the one he wanted.
Vs. 18-21
Jacob makes a deal to work for Laban in exchange for Rachel. The deal is seven years, and when the time is over Jacob seeks to take his wife, and be married.
This is a great verse for purity. Jacob was promised to marry Rachel for seven years, but remained pure. Many people say, “we are engaged, so we can sleep together… besides we know we are going to get married.” Jacob went the distance of seven years and remained pure as a testimony of how it should be done.
Vs. 22-25
Ah, the irony! Jacob deceived his father by using his fathers blindness, and Laban has used the darkness of night to keep Jacob’s eyes from seeing what he was doing. Jacob is tricked into marrying Leah, and is mad.
Vs. 26-30
Jacob is hustled into working seven more years for Rachel, because he has already slept with Leah. So, Jacob finishes the “honeymoon” week, and then takes Rachel also as a wife. Clearly, Jacob loved Rachel more.
Vs. 21-End
Though Jacob clearly loves Rachel more than Leah, he does seem to find time to sleep with both! God ends up seeing the lack of love for Leah, and decides to provide children through her. Leah conceives and has four sons. These four sons will be important later, but for now they are Jacobs first born.
Irony:
Jacob who has conned his brother and father to get what he wanted from the family blessings, and family birthright, has nothing of his own, and is conned by the patriarch of the family he goes to live with.
Jacob is a man who is learning to be a better, Godlier man, but he has a lot of lessons to learn. Jacob is learning lessons about life by being on the receiving end of the things he did to others.
“In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality.”
Proverbs 12:28
“The con-artist gets conned”
In Chapter 28, Jacob left his home and went out to the land of his family. On the way, he has had a dream from God and is in what you might call a conversional part of his life. He is starting to change and become the person that God is intending for him to be.
Vs. 1-10
Jacob arrives in Padan Aram. He meets some of the people that live there, and he sees for the first time Rachel, whom he obviously falls for right from the beginning. Notice that though Jacob has had an experience with God that is going to start shaping his life, he still has some of the old nature in him. He immediately wants to send the others away, for he is used to being deceitful to gain what he wants. He must figure that without anyone around, he can make a play for the beautiful Rachel.
The stone that needed to be rolled away was a large flat rock that was used to cover the mouth of a cistern like this. It obviously took more than one man to roll it away, because already there were three shepherds and they hadn’t moved it yet. Of course, Jacob, who wants to impress Rachel and get rid of the other shepherds, somehow moves it alone. Men in love do such crazy things for beautiful women!
Vs. 11-12
The custom of a kiss was normal, but the weeping aloud was different. Either, Jacob was that moved, or Jacob was again up to his cunning tricks. Rachel now runs to tell her father that she has a relative for him to meet.
Vs. 13-15
Jacob has now met his match. Laban is a man who is out for himself just like Jacob has been up to this point. Laban calls him flesh and blood, but instead of treating him that way, he treats him as a worker. Laban should have helped set Jacob up with a start of his own, as a family member (see Gen. 30:25-34).
Vs. 16-17
Very simply, Leah had eyes that lacked the fire that was seen as attractive in those days. She was just not as attractive as Rachel. Rachel, on the other hand, was beautiful, and Jacob found her to be the one he wanted.
Vs. 18-21
Jacob makes a deal to work for Laban in exchange for Rachel. The deal is seven years, and when the time is over Jacob seeks to take his wife, and be married.
This is a great verse for purity. Jacob was promised to marry Rachel for seven years, but remained pure. Many people say, “we are engaged, so we can sleep together… besides we know we are going to get married.” Jacob went the distance of seven years and remained pure as a testimony of how it should be done.
Vs. 22-25
Ah, the irony! Jacob deceived his father by using his fathers blindness, and Laban has used the darkness of night to keep Jacob’s eyes from seeing what he was doing. Jacob is tricked into marrying Leah, and is mad.
Vs. 26-30
Jacob is hustled into working seven more years for Rachel, because he has already slept with Leah. So, Jacob finishes the “honeymoon” week, and then takes Rachel also as a wife. Clearly, Jacob loved Rachel more.
Vs. 21-End
Though Jacob clearly loves Rachel more than Leah, he does seem to find time to sleep with both! God ends up seeing the lack of love for Leah, and decides to provide children through her. Leah conceives and has four sons. These four sons will be important later, but for now they are Jacobs first born.
Irony:
Jacob who has conned his brother and father to get what he wanted from the family blessings, and family birthright, has nothing of his own, and is conned by the patriarch of the family he goes to live with.
Jacob is a man who is learning to be a better, Godlier man, but he has a lot of lessons to learn. Jacob is learning lessons about life by being on the receiving end of the things he did to others.
“In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality.”
Proverbs 12:28
