Genesis 29
Notes
Transcript
Jacob Arrives in Paddan Aram
Jacob Arrives in Paddan Aram
Then Jacob went on his journey and came to the land of the people of the east. 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, 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.
Wells were shared
The stone protected the water
Also provided fairness
Like water rights now
Jacob said to them, “My brothers, where do you come from?” They said, “We are from Haran.” He said to them, “Do you know Laban the son of Nahor?” They said, “We know him.” He said to them, “Is it well with him?” They said, “It is well; and see, Rachel his daughter is coming with the sheep!” 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.” 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.”
Jacob wants to make sure he is in the right area
He also wants to make sure that Laban is still a reliable fleeing place
Jacob is also prideful
telling the shepherds how to do their job
Why waste the day at the well? Water and get moving
The shepherds maintain the agreement
While he was still speaking with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep, for she was a shepherdess. 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. Then Jacob kissed Rachel and wept aloud. 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.
Rachel was a shepherdess
unusual for a woman
Laban lacked sons
May have also made it easier to find a husband
Jacob again acts spoiled
Rolls the stone away without permission
announces that he is Rebekah’s son
Jacob lives with Laban
Jacob lives with Laban
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, and Laban said to him, “Surely you are my bone and my flesh!” And he stayed with him a month.
Then Laban said to Jacob, “Because you are my kinsman, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what shall your wages be?” Now Laban had two daughters. The name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.
Laban is excited to meet Jacob
allows Jacob to stay with Laban
Offers to pay Jacob
A kiss on each cheek was a common ANE custom
The reader is officially introduced to Laban’s daughters
Leah’s eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance. Jacob loved Rachel. And he said, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.” Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to any other man; stay with me.” So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her.
Leah
We only here about her eyes
Weak is a bad translation
soft and beautiful is more fitting
Rachel
exceedingly beautiful
Leah’s eyes are nothing in comparison to Rachel’s beauty
Jacob’s excitement makes time fly
Seven years is overpaying the traditional bride price
10 pieces of silver per year
three to four years would be appropriate
Laban knows Jacob has no access to his inheritance
Laban beats Jacob at his own game
Remember the stew and the birthright
The only difference is Jacob loses nothing in the trade
Jacob Marries Laban’s Daughters
Jacob Marries Laban’s Daughters
Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife that I may go in to her, for my time is completed.” So Laban gathered together all the people of the place and made a feast. But in the evening he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob, and he went in to her. (Laban gave his female servant Zilpah to his daughter Leah to be her servant.) 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?” Laban said, “It is not so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn. Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also in return for serving me another seven years.” Jacob did so, and completed her week. Then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife. (Laban gave his female servant Bilhah to his daughter Rachel to be her servant.) So Jacob went in to Rachel also, and he loved Rachel more than Leah, and served Laban for another seven years.
Jacob is tricked again in the same manner he tricked Isaac
Leah is disguised as Rachel
Means Jacob will have to spend seven more years
Laban is fleecing Jacob
It was improper to marry the younger before the older
The father was on the hook for supporting a daughter
Prevents Spinsters
Laban marries off both daughters for an amazing price
Laban doesn’t want Jacob to be distracted from the bridal week
The marriage is sealed through sex
The bride and groom should be focused on making an heir
Leah’s Children
Leah’s Children
When the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. 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.” 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. 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. 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.
The Lord was sympathetic to Leah
He provides Leah with children
The names of Leah’s children
See, a son
heard
attached
praise
The lord sent a son because He heard the cry of afflicted. He joined them and they praised Him in response.
Conclusion
Conclusion
God has a way of using your own schemes against you
Sometimes we can wait for an extended period before fulfilling our calling
The Lord is close to the afflicted and uses them to share His message