02 Aug A Seven-Year Promise
Genesis 29:18 – Jacob loved Rachel. And he said, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.”
After beginning his relationship with God on the way, Jacob finally arrives at the home of his uncle Laban, who is the brother of his mother, Rebekah. There, Jacob is welcomed into the family.
What transpires next is a fitting example of Jacob eventually reaping what he sowed. After tricking his brother Esau out of both his birthright and blessing, Jacob seems to think his life is going pretty well as he escaped home before his brother could murder him, was welcomed into his uncle’s household, and met the woman of his dreams, the very lovely Rachel. He even kisses her before they are married, the only time in the Bible where a believing man kisses a woman who is not yet his wife.
Rachel had a sister named Leah who was 14 years older. Both girls were unmarried, Rachel likely because of her younger age and Leah because she had a physical problem. Jacob wanted to marry one of the sisters, and, not unexpectedly, chose the younger and more attractive sister. The tricky Laban made Jacob the trickster work for him for seven years to earn the right to marry his youngest daughter, Rachel. This was likely necessary because Jacob arrived empty-handed and would have to work to pay the bride price to compensate the father for the loss of his daughter’s help in the family business, and as proof that he was responsible and ready to provide for a family.
Tomorrow, we’ll learn the conclusion to this story and how Jacob the trickster was out-tricked by his conniving uncle, Laban.
How is this story of Jacob the trickster being tricked an illustration of the principle in Galatians 6:7-8?
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