The Foundation: Study in Genesis Part 29
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Chapters 29, 30 Jacob, Leah, and Rachel
Chapters 29, 30 Jacob, Leah, and Rachel
Begin with prayer
Recap last week...Chapter 28 beginning of 29
(We are going to be finishing 29 tonight and hope to complete chapter 30, so we’ll have a lot of reading!)
15 Then Laban said to Jacob, “Because you are my relative, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what shall your wages be?”
16 Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.
17 And Leah’s eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful of form and face.
There is not a consensus about the meaning of the first part of verse 17. Our version says “And Leah’s eyes were weak...” It’s possible that it literally means that her eyes were weak in that she couldn’t see very well and had to squint a lot, which would not be a very attractive feature. The meaning of the Hebrew word translated “weak” here could also mean “soft” saying that they were without luster. However, either way the text seems to be plain that Rachel was the more attractive of the two.
18 Now Jacob loved Rachel, so 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 to give her to another man; stay with me.”
This was by all accounts a very generous offer. Remember that Jacob back home comes from a wealthy family...and he would be an heir to great wealth once his father passed. But he is willing to become a servant to his uncle Laban for seven years in order to win his daughter Rachel’s hand. This would in effect be a dowry for Rachel.
As for Laban’s response, it is hardly enthusiastic. Even here, he is probably disappointed that he can’t marry Leah off to him. But he will have seven years to scheme about how to make that happen.
20 So Jacob served seven years for Rachel and they seemed to him but a few days because of his love for her.
This to me is one of the most romantic verses in the Bible. Dennis Prager even says, “If there is a more romantic sentence in world literature, I am unaware of it.”
Of course, the purpose of this sentence is to show us the great love that Jacob had for Rachel. It makes what is about to happen even more shocking.
21 Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife, for my time is completed, that I may go in to her.”
22 Laban gathered all the men of the place and made a feast.
23 Now in the evening he took his daughter Leah, and brought her to him; and Jacob went in to her.
24 Laban also gave his maid Zilpah to his daughter Leah as a maid.
25 So it came about in the morning that, behold, it was Leah! And he said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Was it not for Rachel that I served with you? Why then have you deceived me?”
It is hard for us to imagine how this would be possible. However, keep in mind that Leah would have been veiled until she was brought into the bridal suite...I’m assuming a tent of some kind. It would have been at night without any light, so he would not have been able to see her once the veil came off. It’s also possible that after this extended feast that Jacob was quite drunk. In any event, Laban’s ruse worked. Can you imagine Jacob’s shock in the morning when he found out that he had been had?
I have to wonder where Rachel was during this. Did her father have her tied up somewhere? It’s hard to imagine that she didn’t vigorously protest. However, we need to keep in mind that this was a patriarchal society and what the father said was the law. She didn’t have much choice.
So Jacob rushes into Laban’s tent as is understandably hot with anger. Laban’s answer shows what a rogue he is:
26 But Laban said, “It is not the practice in our place to marry off the younger before the firstborn.
27 “Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also for the service which you shall serve with me for another seven years.”
Now it is not at all certain that this was an actual practice in that society. Maybe it was maybe it wasn’t. But at the very least, if Laban had been an honorable man, he would have explained this to Jacob seven years ago. But there is nothing honorable about Laban.
Almost every commentary that I have looked at makes the point that Jacob being deceived is payback for his deception of his father. The deceiver has now been deceived. This may be so, but remember that Jacob was acting in obedience to his mother. Also remember that Jacob in getting Isaac’s blessing was getting something that was rightfully his. This is far from the case here. Rachel is rightfully Jacob’s. In my opinion, this is many times worse than any deception that Jacob had done.
So Laban makes him an offer...and what a generous offer it was! But he had Jacob “over a barrel” as the saying goes.
28 Jacob did so and completed her week, and he gave him his daughter Rachel as his wife.
29 Laban also gave his maid Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her maid.
30 So Jacob went in to Rachel also, and indeed he loved Rachel more than Leah, and he served with Laban for another seven years.
A lot of people think that Jacob had to work another seven years before he could marry Rachel. But that’s not what the text says. The marriage feast went on for seven days. After the completion of that week, Jacob was married to Rachel (albeit without nearly as much fanfare). He was now obligated to serve Laban for another seven years for her.
I just might mention a couple of things here. Polygamy is allowed in the Old Testament. It was a commonly accepted practice in that day. But it is never condoned. And in almost every case, households with multiple wives in the Bible are dysfunctional households. As we are about to see, Jacob’s household was no exception. Also, under the Mosaic law, it was prohibited for a man to marry two sisters. However, this is of course many years before that law was handed down. Maybe the memory of this household was what resulted in the law!
Questions/comments?
David Guzik makes an interesting point. If we had a neighbor who had four or five wives, we would be horrified and may turn him in to the authorities. However, if the same man had four or five wives over a period of years one at a time(what he calls serial marriage), we might not think anything of it. It actually happens a lot. But both are a detriment to society.
31 Now the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, and He opened her womb, but Rachel was barren.
32 Leah conceived and bore a son and named him Reuben, for she said, “Because the Lord has seen my affliction; surely now my husband will love me.”
As I understand it, when it says that Leah was unloved (some versions even translate this “hated), it doesn’t necessarily mean that Jacob had no feelings for Leah at all. It can mean simply that she was not preferred, which was certainly the case.
Notice also that we again have a barren wife. Sarah was barren until God brought about the miraculous birth of Isaac. Rebekah was barren for many years until the Lord opened her womb and she had Jacob and Esau. Now we see that Rachel is barren as well.
So Leah’s son she names Reuben, which means “look, a son.” She considers this something of a vindication for her and she hopes that her husband will now love her now that she has borne a son to him.
33 Then she conceived again and bore a son and said, “Because the Lord has heard that I am unloved, He has therefore given me this son also.” So she named him Simeon.
34 She conceived again and bore a son and said, “Now this time my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” Therefore he was named Levi.
Simeon means “hearing”. God heard Leah’s prayer. Levi means “attachment”. Leah hopes that her husband will become attached to her because of her bearing him three sons.
It’s hard not to be sympathetic to Leah. It must have been difficult to know that she was Plan B at best. She longed for Jacob to love her. Jacob for his part surely could have done a better job of making this difficult situation better. Of course, it wasn’t his fault that he was tricked into marrying Leah. But it seems that he was either oblivious to the situation or he just didn’t care.
35 And she conceived again and bore a son and said, “This time I will praise the Lord.” Therefore she named him Judah. Then she stopped bearing.
Judah means “praise.” Somehow through all of this it seems that Leah has come to a place of peace. Rather than longing for something she would never get, she focuses on God Himself and she praises Him.
What a great lesson for us. How many of us have longed for something that we would never receive (or maybe we wouldn’t receive for many years) and lose sight of the blessings that are right in front of us! Leah has four sons! What an amazing blessing! We need to learn to praise Him in all circumstances. Remember what Paul said to the Philippians?
11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.
13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Questions/Comments?
So now as we move into chapter 30, we have already seen how that Leah has been discontented because Jacob does not love her as much as he loves Rachel. Now, we are going to see how Rachel is discontented because she is barren, even though she has Jacob’s love. It’s a messy affair!
1 Now when Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, she became jealous of her sister; and she said to Jacob, “Give me children, or else I die.”
2 Then Jacob’s anger burned against Rachel, and he said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?”
3 She said, “Here is my maid Bilhah, go in to her that she may bear on my knees, that through her I too may have children.”
4 So she gave him her maid Bilhah as a wife, and Jacob went in to her.
5 Bilhah conceived and bore Jacob a son.
6 Then Rachel said, “God has vindicated me, and has indeed heard my voice and has given me a son.” Therefore she named him Dan.
I think that the words between Jacob and Rachel in verses 1 and 2 are indicative of the gap between how women see things and how men see things. Rachel is distraught at how that her sister has not only born her husband four children, but four sons (which in that cultural were seen as preferable to daughters). Rachel cries out to Jacob, “Give me children or I die.” She had to know that this was something that he couldn’t do, yet her pain was real. He explodes by saying, “Am I in the place of God who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?” He was understandably frustrated, but his words couldn’t have helped the situation.
Dennis Prager:
It is probably fair to conclude that Rachel knew Jacob was no more at fault than she for her barrenness, and what she wanted from him was compassion. In general, men tend to be more oriented towards finding solutions (and Jacob was undoubtedly frustrated by his helplessness), whereas women want to know that their pain is heard.
So Rachel does come up with a solution. And it is a solution that we have seen before, haven’t we? As we mentioned in our discussion of Sarah and Hagar, it was common practice in those days for a barren women to give her servant to her husband to bear a child on her behalf. This child would be considered the child of the wife, not of the servant.
However, there is one big difference in this situation and the one with Sarah and Hagar. Abraham and Sarah had been given a promise that a child would be born through their union. There was no such promise here. In any event, God honors this here.
Dan means “justice” or “vindicated.” Somehow Rachel felt that she was now vindicated and that justice had been served. But it must have seemed a hollow victory.
7 Rachel’s maid Bilhah conceived again and bore Jacob a second son.
8 So Rachel said, “With mighty wrestlings I have wrestled with my sister, and I have indeed prevailed.” And she named him Naphtali.
9 When Leah saw that she had stopped bearing, she took her maid Zilpah and gave her to Jacob as a wife.
10 Leah’s maid Zilpah bore Jacob a son.
11 Then Leah said, “How fortunate!” So she named him Gad.
12 Leah’s maid Zilpah bore Jacob a second son.
13 Then Leah said, “Happy am I! For women will call me happy.” So she named him Asher.
This is such a sad affair all around. Yet through this mess, God is working to build up Jacob’s house. Things aren’t going to get better between Leah and Rachel.
14 Now in the days of wheat harvest Reuben went and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them to his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, “Please give me some of your son’s mandrakes.”
15 But she said to her, “Is it a small matter for you to take my husband? And would you take my son’s mandrakes also?” So Rachel said, “Therefore he may lie with you tonight in return for your son’s mandrakes.”
16 When Jacob came in from the field in the evening, then Leah went out to meet him and said, “You must come in to me, for I have surely hired you with my son’s mandrakes.” So he lay with her that night.
17 God gave heed to Leah, and she conceived and bore Jacob a fifth son.
18 Then Leah said, “God has given me my wages because I gave my maid to my husband.” So she named him Issachar.
Mandrakes were supposed to be an aphrodisiac and were supposed to promote fertility. Leah’s son Ruben brings some to her. Rachel wants them and makes a sordid bargain with Leah that she can have Jacob for the night. Ironically, the result will not be in Rachel’s favor but in Leah’s. Leah will have another son. Obviously, the mandrakes didn’t work. Only God could open the womb.
19 Leah conceived again and bore a sixth son to Jacob.
20 Then Leah said, “God has endowed me with a good gift; now my husband will dwell with me, because I have borne him six sons.” So she named him Zebulun.
21 Afterward she bore a daughter and named her Dinah.
Dinah is evidently the only daughter that Jacob will have. She will figure into some dramatic episodes later in Genesis.
Finally, we see the Lord opens Rachel’s womb...
22 Then God remembered Rachel, and God gave heed to her and opened her womb.
23 So she conceived and bore a son and said, “God has taken away my reproach.”
24 She named him Joseph, saying, “May the Lord give me another son.”
It is very sad to me that Rachel is blessed with a son and she names him Joseph, which means “may the Lord add.” It seems to indicate to me that she is not satisfied with Joseph but is hoping for another.
Now we come to what is to me one of the strangest episodes in the Bible.
25 Now it came about when Rachel had borne Joseph, that Jacob said to Laban, “Send me away, that I may go to my own place and to my own country.
26 “Give me my wives and my children for whom I have served you, and let me depart; for you yourself know my service which I have rendered you.”
27 But Laban said to him, “If now it pleases you, stay with me; I have divined that the Lord has blessed me on your account.”
It is unclear why that Jacob felt that he had to ask permission to go. He had served his years of servitude to Laban. Rachel and Leah were both his. He had in effect paid for them! However, it seems that it was important for Jacob to secure Laban’s blessing before he goes back to Canaan.
As wicked as Laban is, he realized that God has blessed him because of Jacob. He realized the hand of the Lord that was only Jacob, and though he didn’t want to follow Jacob’s God, he wanted to get the blessing of Jacob’s God!
28 He continued, “Name me your wages, and I will give it.”
29 But he said to him, “You yourself know how I have served you and how your cattle have fared with me.
30 “For you had little before I came and it has increased to a multitude, and the Lord has blessed you wherever I turned. But now, when shall I provide for my own household also?”
31 So he said, “What shall I give you?” And Jacob said, “You shall not give me anything. If you will do this one thing for me, I will again pasture and keep your flock:
32 let me pass through your entire flock today, removing from there every speckled and spotted sheep and every black one among the lambs and the spotted and speckled among the goats; and such shall be my wages.
33 “So my honesty will answer for me later, when you come concerning my wages. Every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats and black among the lambs, if found with me, will be considered stolen.”
34 Laban said, “Good, let it be according to your word.”
So Jacob decides to stay, but he is wanting to not continue to only prosper Laban but his own family. Jacob tells him, let me keep the speckled, spotted, black sheep and goats for myself. This would undoubtedly be a small part of the herd.
35 So he removed on that day the striped and spotted male goats and all the speckled and spotted female goats, every one with white in it, and all the black ones among the sheep, and gave them into the care of his sons.
36 And he put a distance of three days’ journey between himself and Jacob, and Jacob fed the rest of Laban’s flocks.
It’s a little hard to understand what is going on here. It seems that Laban unscrupulously pulls out the striped and spotted goats from the white ones and also pulls out the black sheep and then puts three days distance between him and Jacob. So this would leave Jacob only with the spotted and speckled sheep and presumably no goats at all.
Now comes the strange part:
37 Then Jacob took fresh rods of poplar and almond and plane trees, and peeled white stripes in them, exposing the white which was in the rods.
38 He set the rods which he had peeled in front of the flocks in the gutters, even in the watering troughs, where the flocks came to drink; and they mated when they came to drink.
39 So the flocks mated by the rods, and the flocks brought forth striped, speckled, and spotted.
40 Jacob separated the lambs, and made the flocks face toward the striped and all the black in the flock of Laban; and he put his own herds apart, and did not put them with Laban’s flock.
41 Moreover, whenever the stronger of the flock were mating, Jacob would place the rods in the sight of the flock in the gutters, so that they might mate by the rods;
42 but when the flock was feeble, he did not put them in; so the feebler were Laban’s and the stronger Jacob’s.
43 So the man became exceedingly prosperous, and had large flocks and female and male servants and camels and donkeys.
This was an ancient belief that if an animal bred while looking at something striped or spotted, that the animal would be striped or spotted. Obviously, we know now that this was not true. Yet, God blessed Jacob despite this. In verse 39, our version has the word “so” as if this really worked. As I understand it, in the original this word is not there.
Derek Kidner has the best explanation of this I could find:
Jacob’s winning riposte owed more to God than he may have realized, in spite of his proper acknowledgment in 31:9. In displaying the striped rods at breeding time he acted on the common belief that a vivid sight during pregnancy or conception would leave its mark on the embryo; but this is apparently quite unfounded. No doubt some of his success came from selective breeding (40–42), but by itself this would have worked very slowly, as Laban reckoned it would. Clearly God intervened (see 31:9–12) to fulfil the hopes Jacob placed in the rods, using them as he used the arrows of Joash or the bones of Elisha, as the means (or the occasions) of working miraculously. It would not be the last time that his part in a success would be much greater than it seemed to the observer.
I’d like to make a comment right here if we can kind of pull back from the situation a bit. God had promised Abraham that out of him would come a great nation. We know that God miraculously blessed Abraham and Sarah with Isaac, the promised son. God blessed Isaac and Rebecca with two sons, but with only one, Jacob, would the promise come through. At some point, the promise would have to begin to multiply or there would never be a nation. That is what we are seeing here. Through Jacob, there would not be one promised son but 12 sons through which the lineage would come. It is here that we are seeing the birth (or maybe we might say the conception) of the nation of Israel. If we weren’t familiar with the story, we might be shocked at how it all came about. It came about in a really messy way. But God is working in the mess.
This should give us great hope when we look at our own lives. Sometimes, our lives can get quite messy, can’t they. Sometimes, we go through horrible, tragic situations. Yet, Jesus is the Redeemer. He can redeem our mess if we let Him!
Corrie ten Boom (The Tapestry)
When speaking, Corrie would hold up a cloth with a jumble of dark and light threads that were all haphazard and unruly.
Holding the cloth for all to see, Corrie would explain how that cloth represented what we can see of our life. Our lives look jumbled and often the dark seasons we endure (like the dark threads) make no sense.
Then she would turn the cloth around revealing an intricately embroidered crown. She would explain that God sees this side of the cloth and one day will reveal it to us.
Those dark threads, or dark seasons of our lives, make no sense right now but one day we’ll see what God was up to. The dark threads are necessary to make the whole embroidery stunningly beautiful.
The night before His crucifixion, Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NIV
In closing, let me leave you with a poem Corrie ten Boom often quoted to capture this allegory.
My life is but a weaving
Between my God and me.
I cannot choose the colors
He weaveth steadily.
Oft’ times He weaveth sorrow;
And I in foolish pride
Forget He sees the upper
And I the underside.
Not ’til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly
Will God unroll the canvas
And reveal the reason why.
The dark threads are as needful
In the weaver’s skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned.
He knows, He loves, He cares;
Nothing this truth can dim.
He gives the very best to those
Who leave the choice to Him.
Questions/Comments
