Genesis 29

Scripture:  Genesis chapter 29

Observation:  Jacob arrives in Haran and meets Rachel, his uncle's younger daughter, at the well where she's come to water her sheep.  He introduces himself, and she runs to her father to tell him the news.  Laban immediately invited him to his home.  Laban decides it's only fair that Jacob get paid for the time he spends working, and asks what Jacob's wages would be.  Jacob asks for Rachel's hand in marriage.  Laban has two daughters, Leah who is the oldest, and Rachel who is the younger and more beautiful, and Jacob pledges to work 7 years for her because he's in love with her.  Laban agrees, and once Jacob's 7 years of work are completed, he asks for his bride.  But Laban has other plans.  After partying and drinking for the wedding, Laban sends Leah instead of Rachel, and Jacob sleeps with her.  He is understandably upset, and demands an explanation from his uncle, who claims he cannot allow his younger daughter to marry before the eldest.  He says he will give Rachel to Jacob for another 7 years of labor, and Jacob agrees, but it causes grief, because Jacob is not in love with Leah.  Leah has 3 sons and hopes it will make Jacob fall in love with her.  She realizes it doesn't, and when her fourth son Judah is born, she praises the Lord for him.

Application:  What Laban did was cruel and unloving.  His excuse of not wanting his younger daughter to marry before the oldest was pitiful.  He wanted to guarantee Jacob would stay, since he was a hard worker, and he wanted to ensure Leah got married, because she was plain and unattractive.  He got both, but at what price?  There would be unhappiness for his daughter because she is unloved.  There would be animosity between him and his nephew because of his deception.  Was it the best course?  As parents we are to make wise decisions for our children, biblically sound decisions and not just what sounds right to us.  A bad decision, even with the best intentions, can bring heartache to our beloved children.

Prayer:  Father, I love my children so much, but I recognize that You love them more than I ever could.  You are their Creator, their Father and their God.  I want to do everything to point them to You, but if I make decisions based on my own thoughts instead of Yours, if I don't verify with Your Word that I'm doing what's right, I'm setting a terrible example.  I don't want to do that!  Give me answers for my children that are in accord with Your will, Father, so that my children will be encouraged by me to stay on Your paths.  In Jesus' precious name I pray, Amen.