The Book of Genesis
Part 57
Reaping Of The Flesh
Chapter 29:15-30
Jacob was now to learn that “with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you” (Mark 4:24). Laban’s deception over the marriage of his daughter is only one in a long series in which Jacob found himself the object of a duplicity similar to that which he had practised on his father. Let us follow some of the details.
Acquaintance Deepened
It may have been when Jacob met Rachel at the well, he recalled that under parallel circumstances Eliezer found a bride for his father Isaac. He may have prayed as did Eliezer that the Lord would show him whether or not Rachel was to be his wife.
The early days of his stay at Haran quickly passed, and remembering the advice of his mother that he remain there until he was sent for, Jacob set about to make himself useful. For a month he thus served his uncle apparently as a shepherd. Did he assist Rachel in her duties, or did he assume her duties? Were the days of the first love of this young shepherd and shepherdess spent in the vicinity of the well where they met? Was Jacob’s proverbial love for Rachel first kindled as they poured water together for the flocks? It may have been that in the joint performance of their duties his love intensified to such a degree that the seven years of service for Rachel were as “but a few days.”
The custom then was that a proposal of marriage to the parent of the young woman be accompanied with either; first, a costly present to the family; second, the value in cattle that the father placed upon his daughter; third, the giving of personal service for a specified period of time. Necessity, of course, left no alternative to Jacob, so for love to Rachel he became Laban’s hired shepherd.
In a day when men are without natural affection (2 Tim. 3:3) and divorce is so prevalent, it is refreshing and stimulating so see an example of domestic love that approaches the high standard of Scripture, All should remember the words ture. All should remember the words have not love, I am nothing” (1 Cor. 13:1-3).
Rachel’s Hand Sought
Jacob certainly found in Rachel an object for his heart. Poor Leah was tender-eyed, that is, she had weak dull eyes, thus failing in one of the features of extreme beauty demanded among the Bedouins. Rachel was beautiful and well favoured; she was most attractive, and Jacob soon learned to love her.
Laban had observed the industry of his nephew, and realizing his value made an offer of permanent employment to him. Whether subtle Laban knew what he would later do when he entered into the contract with Jacob, we have no means of knowing. Sincerely Jacob served the seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.
The Wedding Day
Jacob could never consider that day as one of great delight and satisfaction, but, rather, one in which through wicked trickery he had been deprived of his Rachel, and forced into a second seven years of service to his father-in-law. As has been suggested by another, had Jacob received on his wedding day the bride of his choice, he might have walked more in the steps of his fathers, Abraham and Isaac.
It is difficult to ascertain whether the deception of Laban at the marriage actually was based upon a local custom, “It must not be done in our country to give the younger before the first-born,” or whether this was an excuse. If such were indeed the custom, Jacob should have been told at the beginning. Jacob believed it to be a complete deception for he said, “Wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?”
Did Jacob discern in the unkind act of Laban a duplicity similar to that which he himself had played upon his blind father Isaac? Did he realize that “whatsoever a man soweth, that shall be also reap. For he that soweth to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption” (Gal. 6:7-8)? Jacob was in the training school of discipline. God was dealing with him, not only because of the past but also in view of the future.
The Disappointment
Not a few have been disappointed in their marriage; they have discovered that infatuation is a poor substitute for love. Jacob’s disappointment did not arise from a failure of love on his part, but from the circumstances which deprived him of giving his all to the one he loved, Rachel.
The treachery of Laban imposed Leah upon Jacob, and forced him into a double marriage with its consequent polygamy which he did not wish; made him serve in all, fourteen years instead of seven; and reduced his anticipated domestic happiness to an endurance of the constant rivalry of two jealous sisters.
It seems obvious from a careful examination of the story that Jacob was married to Rachel at the beginning of the second seven years of service, not at the close. Verse 27 has been interpreted thus: “‘Fulfil her week,’ live with her (Leah) as a bridegroom for a week, the usual duration of the wedding feast (Judges 14:12), ‘and we will give thee this (Rachel) also.’ At the end of the week, on the eighth day, Rachel will become your bride; and after marrying her, and as her price, ‘thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.’ Really Jacob served fourteen years for Rachel.
His Submission
How difficult it must have been for Jacob to accept these unalterable conditions. Notwithstanding, they formed the very rudiments of his spiritual education. His life becomes the illustration of our heavenly Father’s treatment of His children: “Whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?” (Heb. 12:6-7).
Out of Jacob’s submission came the greatest blessing to the world. From these two sister-wives came the twelve-tribe nation of Israel, and from one of Leah’s sons, Judah, our Saviour descended. How strange the purposes of God appear at times! Out of the confusion and bitterness of our lives He accomplishes His own will.