Thanks for all the great discussion on Chapter 28 last week and for the postings regarding this current chapter. 

First, I have to comment on the beginning story of Chapter 29.  The more I read these initial verses, the harder it was for me not to see a parallel concerning Jacob rolling away the stone of the well and the stone being rolled away from the tomb of Jesus.  As I read these verses over and over, it seemed that Jacob was rolling away the stone to the well so the sheep could get a drink of water and the stone in front of the tomb of Jesus was rolled away so the Living Water could come forth to fulfill our spiritual thirst.  I just couldn’t let go of that thought so I must share it with you.  I also believe this demonstrates that Jacob is the one God is anointing to fulfill the covenant promise given to Abraham.  God is going to use Jacob, past faults and all to carry out His will.

Of course, there are consequences we must endure for our sinful behavior.  God forgives and forgets; however, consequences happen.  Isn’t it amazing how God is using Jacob in order to demonstrate to us that regardless of where we come from, what we’ve done, or how badly we think we’ve messed up, if we come before Him with a penitent heart, God will forgive us, clean us up and use us for His glory!  Amen!  Consequences for Jacob arrive neatly packaged as a lie.  The same venue he used to get his desires from his brother, Esau, is now being laid as a trap for Jacob.

Chapter 29 deals with Jacob working for his uncle, Laban, for seven years in order to gain Laban’s approval to marry his daughter, Rachel.  Jewish customs outlined the bride’s family would receive from the groom a “dowry”.  Since the women were valuable workers in their families, the absence of a daughter would mean a financial strain on her family.  The dowry would lift a financial burden and aid her parents when she became part of her husband’s family.   Jacob suggested the seven years to Laban in return for Rachel’s hand in marriage.  Laban agreed.  Of course, we have read the deceit played upon Jacob when on the morning following his marriage he found Leah in his bed instead of Rachel.  (By the way, a covering was found over the face of the bride, hence Jacob’s unawareness of the switch.)  My personal question has always been, where was Rachel and why didn’t she scream out to Jacob when he married her sister? 

So, Jacob is deceived and finds out the next morning.  A confrontation with Laban reveals that the younger daughter is not to marry before the older one and if Jacob will follow through with the marriage week with Leah, Laban will reward Jacob with his ultimate desire, Rachel.  So within a week Jacob has two wives and has worked seven years for Laban with seven more to follow.  Our lesson? Consequences are always brought to bear in return for acts of deceit.

The latter part of the chapter deals with the children being born to Jacob and Leah while Rachel remains barren.  Apparently, God sees that Leah is loved less than Rachel and opens Leah’s womb.  Ironically, Leah has the first four of Jacob’s sons and they include Levi (the ancestor of the Aaronic priestly line) and Judah (the ancestor of David and his royal line and ultimately….Jesus!).

The names and the meanings of those names given to the sons of Leah and Jacob:

Reuben; “It is because the Lord has seen my misery”…”he has seen my troubles”

Simeon; “Because the Lord has heard that I am not loved”…”has heard”

Levi; “Now at last my husband will become attached to me”…”be close to”

Judah; “This time I will praise the Lord”…”praise”

Father, thank you for continuing to unravel the scriptures found within the book of Genesis to us.  Help us to avoid thinking that deceiving others is the way to obtain what we “need” or “want”.  Enable us to humbly come before you knowing the result of numerous blessings will flow if we only wait on your timing.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Next week’s assignment:  Please read Chapter 30

1.      Jacob’s family continues to grow, but it seems Leah and Rachel get their maidservants involved in procreating children.  Note the name of the woman and the children she bore for Jacob.  For instance, Leah is the mother of Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah. 

2.    Jacob’s sons will make up the twelve tribes of Israel.  At the end of Chapter 30, are all twelve sons mentioned?  If not, do you know who is missing?

3.    In verse 25 of Chapter 30, my subtitle reads, “Jacob tricks Laban”….in a short paragraph and in your own words, what happens?  It appears that Laban is attempting to do the tricking when the deceit backfires. 

4.    Also, Rachel and Leah are arguing over mandrakes.  Research and see if you can determine what a mandrake is and if it carried importance to these women.

5.    When Leah hands over the mandrake/mandrakes to Rachel, what was Rachel’s bargaining tool?