Genesis 29:15-30 – What goes around comes around

Laban, Jacob’s uncle, was a street smart man. Though Jacob was a conniver, he was no match for his uncle. Laban had two daughters – Rachel and Leah. Of the two, Rachel was the beauty whereas Leah, to put it more aptly, was dreamy because of her weak eyes. Since beauty is more appealing to the eyes, Jacob fell in love with Rachel. Jacob was so mesmerized by Rachel’s beauty that he failed to see the bait in his negotiation with Laban. Craftily, the uncle got him to work for him enthusiastically because he knew Jacob would do anything just to get Rachel. He was outwitted. Laban had truly taken advantage of Jacob’s love for Rachel. What happened to Jacob is a reminder to us to think soberly. We should never be so overwhelmed by a passion for someone, other than the Lord, that we become oblivious to what is unreasonable. If there is one person we should passionately love in life, it must be our Lord Jesus. Let us be prepared to channel our energy to passionately serve Him with much greater enthusiasm. Just as Rachel was Jacob’s motivation, let the love for our Lord Jesus be our motivation in service.

How quickly the seven years must have passed. With something he was looking forward to passionately, time zipped past Jacob so rapidly. Seven years to get Rachel was not too much. In fact those seven years seemed to him like a few days because of his love for her. And when the last day of the seven years was up, he came to claim his prize. He would not even wait a minute longer, his desire for Rachel was at pitch high. We can imagine him coming unabashedly and excitedly to Laban to claim his possession. The wedding was deliberately planned. It was usually celebrated for a week. Laban was up to his tricks again. Evidently, he used the bridal veil, the darkness of the night and the effect of the celebration wine to his advantage. Instead of giving Rachel to Jacob as he had agreed, he gave Leah to his nephew under the cover of all the above.   

Jacob woke up in the glow of the morning sun only to discover that he was deceived. We can imagine him whispering Rachel’s name deliriously throughout the night, while Leah who must have fallen in love with him, played the role of Rachel with passion. With the consummation done, there was no way to reverse what had taken place. Leah was now his wife. His only recourse was to confront the conniving uncle who was quick to come up with logical explanation. The older must precede the younger in marriage. That was their custom. And Laban had used it to his advantage. For the first time, Jacob must have known how it felt to be deceived. Note how he put it to his uncle in verse 25, “What is this you have done to me? Was it not for Rachel that I served with you? Why then have you deceived me?” The word “deceived” sounded familiar. Wasn’t this the same word used to describe what he did to Esau when he stole his birthright? The cock had returned to roost. What goes around always comes around.

Laban was not satisfied with seven years of Jacob’s life. Knowing that he would do anything to get Rachel, Laban consented to let him have Rachel after the one week of celebration was over. But Jacob would have to serve him for another seven years. He got Rachel and then willingly or grudgingly, served his due of seven more years. The story of course was far more complicated as we shall see. For in the two marriages, Laban gave to both the daughters their maids, Zilpah and Bilhah respectively, as well. They would soon add to the intriguing saga of Jacob’s home. The older-younger sibling conflict that he had with Esau when his life began, had literally followed him in the form of his wives. How complicating things can get with polygamy! No wonder monogamy is still the better model and should stay that way. It’s a better reflection of commitment and faithfulness in life. To the married, let us stay faithful and committed to our spouse!