Jacob Marries Leah and Rachael

Genesis 29:1–35
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Jacob arrived at a well used by the local shepherds to water their flocks (vv. 2-3). The well had a large stone placed over it. Jacob chatted with the shepherds and asked about his uncle Laban (vv. 4-6). He also asked them why they waited to water the sheep. They said they had to wait for the stone to be rolled away so everyone could water their sheep together (vv. 7-8). Either these men were lazy, waiting for others to move the heavy stone, or they were bound by tradition to wait. Either way, Jacob’s actions set him apart. When Jacob saw Rachel arriving with her sheep, he rolled the stone from the well and watered her flock. He then kissed her and revealed his identity as her cousin, the son of her Aunt Rebekah (vv. 9-12). When Abraham’s servant had come to find a wife for Isaac, he came with many gifts. Jacob had no such advantage. He lived in his uncle’s home for a month and was working for him from the start, possibly as a shepherd with Rachel (v. 14). At the end of the month Laban asked him what his wages should be (v. 15). For Jacob the answer was obvious. Jacob would serve seven years for Rachel (v. 18). 

Now, Laban had two daughters: Rachel, the younger, was a true beauty, but Leah, the older, was plan (vv. 16-17). At the end of the fastest seven years in Jacob’s life (v. 20), the wedding day finally came. Laban gathered all his people together and they had a feast (vv. 21-22). It’s not stated in the text, but I suspect Jacob might have had a few too many drinks that night, because it wasn’t until the morning that he realized the bride he had been sleeping with that night was Leah, and not Rachel (vv. (23-25). When confronted, Laban stated tradition was his motive for the deception. It would not be right to give the younger before the older. However, Laban’s true motive is clear. Jacob could have Rachel in seven days, but he would need to continue working for Laban another seven years (vv. 26-27). A week later, Rachel and Jacob were married, and Jacob loved Rachel more then he loved Leah (vv. 28-30). The Lord allowed Leah to conceive, and she had four sons with Jacob: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah (vv. 31-35). Rachel, however, was barren. Each time Leah gave birth she hoped to find favor in Jacob’s eyes for bearing him a son, but each time she was disappointed. With her fourth son, Judah, she finally found her hope in God (v. 35). 

Application

How do I respond in new environments? Do I take initiative, or do I wait to be told what to do? How do I respond when people trick me? Do I demand justice, or do I accept it as God’s will?