WENT
OUT OF THE LAND
Jacob
had to leave the Promised Land because his brother wanted to kill him. No doubt
he was not happy to leave, since his destiny was tied to the Land.
Nevertheless, after his encounter with God in Bethel
(Genesis
29:1) Then Jacob went on his journey and came to the land of
the people of the east.
This
perspective is seen clearer in the Hebrew text. The words translated as “went
on his way” may literally be read “lifted his feet”. Jacob leaped into this new
phase in his life. Instead of being depressed by the uncertainty, he was
cheerful and eager to witness what was to come. He was hopeful. This may be
compared to our jumping out of bed and going about our day at a quick pace,
when we have a purpose that we are eager to accomplish.
ANOTHER
MISSION
Jacob,
however, was sent to Haran
Just
like Abraham’s servant did when he went looking for a bride for Isaac, Jacob
also arrived at a well. It was there that the local people assembled while they
watered their flocks. It was also there
that travelers stopped to collect water after their journey.
(Genesis.
29:2-3) 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.
In the
wilderness it was customary to cover the wells with stones to prevent sand from
getting into the water which would contaminate it or even cover it up. In
Jacob’s story it says that the stone was large, therefore the shepherds waited
until all of them gathered there so several of them could roll it and thus
water their flocks.
(Genesis.
29:4-9) Jacob said to them, "My brothers, where do you come
from?" They said, "We are from Haran
In
the days of old maps were not very common, and Jacob did not have one with him.
However, he suspected that he was close to his destiny. He had reached the same
well where his grandfather Abraham’s servant met his mother Rebecca. Now he was
about to meet his cousin, his mother’s niece.
The
name Rachel (Hebrew Rajel, רחל) literally means sheep, ewe.
His
encounter with Rachel seemed to be a “coincidence”. Jacob reached the well
right when his cousin Rachel was approaching. Jacob’s reaction revealed his
excitement. It was obvious that God’s hand was guiding his every step.
(Psalms
37:23) The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he
delights in his way.
Jacob
did not have to go from door to door looking for his relatives. He simply found
them at the well, just like Abraham’s servant did when he was searching for a
bride for Isaac.
What
Jacob did next is considered to be supernatural by some people. He was moved by
that moment’s emotion.
Lo que Jacob hizo a continuación, algunos lo
consideran como sobrenatural, movido por la emoción del momento.
(Genesis.
29:10-11) 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.
Rachel
was surely surprised by this stranger’s reaction – not only because he kissed
her, but because he rolled that heavy stone all by himself. She must have been
even more surprised when she found out that they were related.
(Genesis.
29:12-14) 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.
Jacob
was welcomed by his kindred.
HOSPITALITY
Among
the shepherds in the Middle East it was
customary to welcome visitors and be hospitable for three days, even to
strangers or travelers. However, once those three days where over the visitor
was expected to move on. If they stayed any longer they had to explain and
justify their stay.
Jacob
had already spent a month with his relatives – much longer than the usual
length of a visit. Therefore, Laban is forced to request Jacob to define the
terms of his residence.
(Genesis.
29:15) Then Laban said to Jacob, "Because you are my
kinsman, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what shall your
wages be?"
It
is clear that Jacob was not being a idle guest, but that he was helping and
working. However, if he was to remain there any longer, they had to define his
labor and family standing.
Jacob
seized that moment to explain the reason for his visit and his extended stay. He
was not only looking for refuge, but also had the intention of obtaining a
wife, which he expected to find among his kindred.
(Genesis.
29:16-19) 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."
In ancient
times it was customary to give a dowry to the bride's family. However, Jacob
had nothing to offer. Contrary to Abraham’s servant, who brought many gifts,
Jacob had come empty handed. He had nothing to offer other than the labor of
his hands.
Why
did he offer to serve for seven years? We read in the Bible of a seven year
period of service for a Hebrew slave.
(Exodus
21:2) When you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve six years,
and in the seventh he shall go out free, for nothing.
Jacob
gladly served those seven years, because he loved Rachel.
(Genesis.
29:20-21) 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."
DECEIT
CATCHES UP WITH HIM
What
happened next was the result of Jacob’s previous sin. He had deceived his
father, and now his father-in-law would deceive him.
(Genesis.
29:22-27) 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."
Wedding
ceremonies lasted a whole week. Jacob had to complete Leah’s nuptial week. Then
he could have Rachel.
Jacob
agreed to work seven more years because he loved Rachel.
(Genesis.
29:28-30) 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.
Notice
that just as Jacob believed that his deception was “justified”, also Laban felt
within his rights to deceive. There was no repentance. The consequences of this
deception turned out to be a family quarrel that lasted his whole life and that
was passed on to the next generation. The conflict was not only between the
sisters, Rachel and Leah, but between their children.
THE SONS OF JACOB
In
the midst of men’s bad decisions, God performs acts of righteousness. In God’s eyes, what was done to Leah was not right, and He decided to
bless her.
(Genesis.
29:31) When the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her
womb, but Rachel was barren.
1. The firstborn was REUBEN (From the Hebrew Ruven – literally “see, a son!”).
(Genesis.
29:32) 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."
2.
SIMEON (Hebrew Shimon, from the verb Shamah: listen – literally
“heard”).
(Genesis.
29:33) 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.
3.
LEVI (from the verb Lavah:
to join, unite – literally “joined”).
(Genesis.
29:34) 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.
4.
JUDAH
(Genesis.
29:35) And she conceived again and bore a son, and said,
"This time I will praise the LORD." Therefore she called his name Judah
The
names of Leah’s children were related to the frustration she felt from the lack
of a good relationship with her husband, and her effort to earn his affection.
Comments
Post a Comment