Monday, April 23, 2012

Genesis 29:1-35

(29:1) Then Jacob went on his journey and came to the land of the people of the east. (2) As he looked, he saw a well in the field, and behold, three flocks of sheep lying beside it, for out of that well the flocks were watered. The stone on the well's mouth was large, (3) and when all the flocks were gathered there, the shepherds would roll the stone from the mouth of the well and water the sheep, and put the stone back in its place over the mouth of the well. (4) Jacob said to them, "My brothers, where do you come from?" They said, "We are from Haran." (5) He said to them, "Do you know Laban the son of Nahor?" They said, "We know him." (6) He said to them, "Is it well with him?" They said, "It is well; and see, Rachel his daughter is coming with the sheep!" (7) He said, "Behold, it is still high day; it is not time for the livestock to be gathered together. Water the sheep and go, pasture them." (8) But they said, "We cannot until all the flocks are gathered together and the stone is rolled from the mouth of the well; then we water the sheep." (9) While he was still speaking with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep, for she was a shepherdess. (10) Now as soon as Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother, Jacob came near and rolled the stone from the well's mouth and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother. (11) Then Jacob kissed Rachel and wept aloud. (12) And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father's kinsman, and that he was Rebekah's son, and she ran and told her father. (13) As soon as Laban heard the news about Jacob, his sister's son, he ran to meet him and embraced him and kissed him and brought him to his house. Jacob told Laban all these things, (14) and Laban said to him, "Surely you are my bone and my flesh!" And he stayed with him a month. (15) Then Laban said to Jacob, "Because you are my kinsman, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what shall your wages be?" (16) Now Laban had two daughters. The name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. (17) Leah's eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance. (18) Jacob loved Rachel. And he said, "I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel." (19) Laban said, "It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to any other man; stay with me." (20) So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her. (21) Then Jacob said to Laban, "Give me my wife that I may go in to her, for my time is completed." (22) So Laban gathered together all the people of the place and made a feast. (23) But in the evening he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob, and he went in to her. (24) (Laban gave his female servant Zilpah to his daughter Leah to be her servant.) (25) And in the morning, behold, it was Leah! And Jacob said to Laban, "What is this you have done to me? Did I not serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?" (26) Laban said, "It is not so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn. (27) Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also in return for serving me another seven years." (28) Jacob did so, and completed her week. Then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife. (29) (Laban gave his female servant Bilhah to his daughter Rachel to be her servant.) (30) So Jacob went in to Rachel also, and he loved Rachel more than Leah, and served Laban for another seven years. (31) When the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. (32) And Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben, for she said, "Because the LORD has looked upon my affliction; for now my husband will love me." (33) She conceived again and bore a son, and said, "Because the LORD has heard that I am hated, he has given me this son also." And she called his name Simeon. (34) Again she conceived and bore a son, and said, "Now this time my husband will be attached to me, because I have borne him three sons." Therefore his name was called Levi. (35) And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, "This time I will praise the LORD." Therefore she called his name Judah. Then she ceased bearing.

2 comments:

  1. Summary: Jacob arrived at Paddan-Aram and finds Rachel his cousin from Laban immediately. He falls in love with Rachel, but she is the second born after Leah. He made a deal to work 7 years and then Laban would give him Rachel. After 7 years, Laban tricked Jacob and gave him Leah. The custom was to always give the 1st daughter. So, Jacob married Leah and worked an additional 7 years to also get Rachel. Leah had 4 sons, but was not shown love by Jacob, God gave her 4 boys, while no children to Rachel.

    Application: Heavenly Father… forgive me for my lack of patience, please teach me to have more patience to wait for Your plan to be carried out. I usually try to figure out a way to accomplish goals in the most efficient manner possible, but that is not always Your will. Wow, it is amazing how our sins come back to haunt us, as Jacob tricked his brother, now Laban tricked Jacob. Help me to see clearly the sins in me and concentrate on them verses the sins of those around me. Thank you for forgiving me. Thank you for giving Your word for me to clearly understand who You are and what Your will is.

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  2. Summary: Jacob travels to Paddan-Aram and meets Rachel his cousin from Laban at a well. He immediately falls in love with with Rachel. He made an agreement with Laban, so that he could have Rachel after 7 years of work. Laban tricked Jacob and gave him Leah, which was the custom. Jacob was honorable and married Leah, then worked an additional 7 years so that he could also marry Rachel. Leah had 4 sons with Jacob, but Jacob showed her no love. Rachel had no children.

    Application: Lord Jesus, please help me to be patient and trust You more. Forgive me for making my own plans, and not seeking your counsel or your wisdom. Please help me to learn from my past sins, so that I can grow and discernment. Jacob was tricked by his brother, and he then didn't have the insight to see that Laban was tricking him. Keep pushing me to follow your path and your will, even when it sometimes requires a sledge hammer! Seven additional years of service to Laban, in order to learn a lesson, is pretty amazing.

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