Closer Day By Day

Bible Passage:  Genesis 29

Have you decided?

Do you think Jacob passed the test?

It only seemed like yesterday that Jacob began his journey of faith.

Today he has journeyed afar.

And this is the beginning of his test…

As you read Genesis 29…

imagine this…

This is the story of Jacob through his eyes:

I went on my journey to a far away land. One day I saw a well in the field and there were three flocks of sheep lying on it. There, they would water the flocks rolling the stone from the well’s mouth then putting the stone back in its place after the sheep had drank. So I said to them, “My brethren, where are you from?” And they said, “We are from Haran.”

Then, I met Rachel. She was the daughter of my uncle, a shepherdess and the one who I would fall in love with but for her, I had to labour 14 years. And so I found Laban my uncle, the brother of Rebekah my mother, the one whom embraced me as his “bone” and his “flesh”, the one whom I would serve 14 years. To me, it only seemed like a few days because, I loved her.

I stayed with my uncle for a month. Then one day my uncle asked me, “Because you are my relative, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what should your wages be?” My uncle had two daughters. The name of the elder was Leah, and the younger was Rachel. Leah’s eyes were delicate, but Rachel was beautiful of form and appearance. I loved Rachel; so I said, “I will serve you seven years for Rachel your younger daughter.”

Laban did not honour his words. He gave me Leah instead when I had asked for Rachel’s hand. He ordered me to serve him another seven years. For the sake of obtaining Rachel’s hand in marriage, I did accordingly.

I loved Rachel more than I loved Leah however, Rachel was barren. So with Leah we had four sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah.

—————————————–

Now,

some questions to think about…

1. What did Jacob do for Rachel?
2. What were the conditions Laban wanted Jacob to meet in order to obtain Rachel’s hand in marriage?
3. From Genesis 29:21, what are the virtues of Jacob?

This was Jacob’s deep love for Rachel,

for he did accordingly to all Laban’s words.

For her, he tended to all the cattle and herds.

And after seven years his uncle gave him Leah instead,

he went back on his word but for Rachel Jacob still pled.

Laban ordered Jacob to work another seven years,

and for Rachel’s hand Jacob did accordingly.

He laboured another seven years willingly,

until he was finally wedded to her,

because he loved her as it were.

He did not think it a burden.

Love kept him labouring all those years,

and he kept himself pure before God whom he fears.

He worked and waited for time to pass,

and his obedience was accounted at last.

For the one you love, are you willing to do whatever you can?

For the one you love, are you willing to labour for their sake?

For the one you love, are you willing to suffer what it may take?

For the one you love, are you willing to sacrifice your life?

For One who loves you, will you wait?

—

This story can be used as a yardstick to measure the depth of our love for the Lord.

Jacob and Rachel’s example of keeping themselves pure before God is worthy of emulation.

God knows everything and even Leah He did not forget just as, He will not forget you and me though it seems that we may feel unloved or unwanted.

Being resolved to be submissive and remain pure is one step closer to God

along our journey of faith together.