Due to Esau marrying pagan women from the Hittite clan, Rebekah insists that Jacob find a wife from among her relatives.  Isaac concurs and Jacob is given specific instructions on where he is to travel in seeking his future wife.  Being equally yoked according to God’s guidelines for marriage partners is imperative for our children.   What a beneficial lesson for both Isaac’s sons, but we learn from our mistakes, don’t we?  Jacob is instructed to visit his maternal grandfather and his uncle, Laban, in seeking out his mate.    

The blessing that Isaac gives Jacob is along the lines of the covenant promise given to Abraham.  Did you notice the terminology?  It includes the blessing of many children, becoming a group of many peoples, and owning the land in which he was now a stranger. This sanction leads us to believe that Isaac is fully aware the covenant blessing will be passed to Jacob and his descendents. 

Jacob departs and heads for Mesopotamia to find a wife.  Brother Esau overhears that Jacob has received yet another blessing and he also learns his father has given specific instructions concerning a marriage partner.   Esau’s actions?   He decides if it pleases his father for his sons not to marry Canaanite women, then it might please his father if he marries a daughter from their own people.  Esau consults with Abraham’s son, Ishmael and marries Ishmael’s daughter, Mahalath.  Of course, adding to the wife tally is really not what is pleasing to God, but can you see this man continues to work toward his mother and father’s favor and possibly correct past mistakes?

The next section of scripture follows Jacob on his journey to find a wife.  He’s headed for Haran (400 miles away) when he stops to rest.  Our pastor in Florida termed this place as the “Hard Rock Hotel” as Jacob lays his head on a rock to rest.  Ironically, the Bible often refers to the “Rock” as Christ and Christ gives rest to his followers!   Puts a new perspective on laying your head on the “Rock” of Jesus Christ!

Jacob begins to dream and sees a ladder with angels going up and down and God standing above the ladder.  Several interpretations are given, but most seem to lean that the stairway (ladder) is Jesus who is the mediator between God and man.  One thing is sure, God journeys with us.  Jacob is probably feeling the effects of his actions.  Regretful, lonely and fearful are only a few of the emotions he probably is internalizing.  When he begins to dream, God assures him that he is not alone.  God reiterates the covenant promise made to Abraham in verses 13-15. 

I particularly like the way my commentary points out the promise of companionship: “I am with you”; safety: “I will keep you wherever you go”; guidance: “and will bring you back to this land”; and personal guarantee: “I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.” Jacob, comforted that he has heard from the Lord, builds an altar and renames the place Bethel (house of God) from its original name, Luz (separation).  Appropriate, don’t you think?  God seizes the opportunity when we are feeling separated, lonely, fearful and regretful to place hope within us and assure us of His presence. 

Note:  This is the first personal contact Jacob has with God.  Previous messages/instructions have been given through others.

If you read the last few verses of this chapter in the NIV you get a different flavor of meaning from the same grouping of scripture in the New Century Version.  I rather like the NCV better.  It reads kinder with Jacob imploring, “I want God to be…”  “I want him to give…”  “So I will be able…”  He ends with a promise/vow of tithing a tenth of all God gives him.  This particular measure is a good return to our Lord for all His many blessings.

Lord Jesus, thank you for forgiving us when we sin and fall into traps of temptation to further our own agendas.  Lord, bring us to the Rock and have us rest our heads on you.  Although Jacob received words of instruction and direction from you at Bethel, we can pray and read our Bibles for that same instruction and direction.  Lord, enable us to hear and obey your calling.  Amen.

Next week’s assignment:  Read Chapter 29

1.      It seems the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree when it comes to Rebekah’s family!  Make a note of the trickery that Jacob endures at the hand of Rebekah’s brother, Laban.  Is this another consequence for sins Jacobs has committed?  Has God forgiven him for the deception he showed his brother, Esau?

2.    How long did Jacob have to work for Laban in order to marry Rachel?

3.    List Leah’s sons and the meanings of their names.

 

 
 


Comments

Cindy
07/13/2010 04:13

Do you have any idea why Jacob chose seven years to be able to marry Rachel? Is there a significance with seven being the "perfect" number? Was that a common thing to do back then - to work for a girl's father before she was given in marriage? Did it have to do with what monetary gifts, etc. could be given the bride's family? Seven years seems a very long time - and then it was another seven years after that. Also, I wonder if Rachel was a lot younger than Jacob. Sorry for all the questions!

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Cookie
07/13/2010 15:57

Cindy,

From what I read it appeared that Jacob had nothing to give Rachel's father, Laban, as was the custom in exchange for his daughter. thus he suggested working seven years for Laban instead.

When I taught about Jewish customs and marriages as a teacher at Hillcrest Christian School, it was the custom for the woman's family to be given a "dowry". This was a way to help ease the burden of the girl leaving home and the responsibilities she had carried out for her family. It was thought a hardship on the woman's family when the daughter would leave to join her husband's family.

As we have learned these women many times went many miles away and probably never returned home again. Haran, as you might recall, was 400 miles away from Jacob's homeland.

I do agree that seven is a very special number in the Bible and no doubt about it, was given for a reason.

I do believe Rachel was a bit younger since scripture in Chapter 29 speaks of Jacob being 77 years old when he started for Haran to find a wife.

No problem with asking questions....together we will attempt to find answers!

But remember, after Laban tricked Jacob with Leah, Laban asked that Jacob finish the wedding week and then he would be given Rachel. I believe Rachel was then given to Jacob BEFORE he served the second seven years!

Long time to work for your love, huh?

Blessings,

Cookie

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Jan
07/13/2010 17:16

Cookie,
I really appreciated the explanation about Jacob sleeping on the rock being a symbol of resting on Jesus as our solid foundation – that is really an inspirational thought!!!
CHAPTER 29 – JACOB FINDS A BRIDE (or two or three or four)
TRICKED BY UNCLE LABAN
First Jacob deceived, then another deceived HIM!!!! Rachel, the love of his life, was not the Bride he awoke to after working hard for 7 years to earn that privilege! I feel confident God forgave Jacob for his sins, but that didn’t mean there would not be consequences, right? And even when things didn’t turn out quite the way Jacob originally planned, he still got to marry Rachel. Things don’t always turn out the way WE plan now, do they? And what does that tell us – listen to God and wait for HIS plan!

AT WHAT COST?
Jacob ultimately paid 14 years of labor for Rachel – the first 7 for Leah (the OLDER daughter had to be married first, after all!), then another 7 for Rachel. WOW! Think of that in today’s world – some couples would be divorced before the labor debt would be paid ?!?!?!?

LEAH’S SONS (The first 4)
1. Reuben “he has seen my troubles”
2. Simeon “has heard”
3. Levi “be close to”
4. Judah “praise”

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