Jacob Maries
Notes
Transcript
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Intro:
Intro:
TS: Jacob has fled to Haran on the pretense of finding a wife. God met him along the way and promised to take care of him and confirmed the promise; Christ will eventually come through Jacob’s lineage. But at this point in the story, these things might be hard to see. Jacob is running for his life and he doesn’t yet have a wife or children. But Jacob believes God, and says, “the LORD will be my God” (). Our text displays God beginning to fulfill His promise:
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.
Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east. 2And he looked, and behold a well in the field, and, lo, there were three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks: and a great stone was upon the well’s mouth. 3And thither were all the flocks gathered: and they rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stone again upon the well’s mouth in his place.
They kept the well covered to prevent it from filling with sand or other debris.
Once everyone was gathered around they would open it long enough to drink and cover it again.
They kept the well covered to prevent it from filling with sand or other debris. Once everyone was gathered around they opened it long enough to drink and covered it again.
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!”
Gen 29:4-
God’s Providence on Display:
His whole purpose in leaving is to find a wife from Laban, so it’s fortunate that he happens upon some men from Haran who know Laban and his daughter. Note the differences in these verses from when Abraham’s servant got a wife for Isaac. The servant went to a well and found the woman too, but he very clearly sought God’s direction. Jacob may or may not have asked anything of God, but the situation shows God’s hand just as He had promised.
His whole purpose in leaving is to find a wife from Laban, so it’s fortunate that he happens upon some men from Haran who know Laban and his daughter. Note the differences in these verses from when Abraham’s servant got a wife for Isaac. The servant went to a well and found the woman too, but he very clearly sought God’s direction. Jacob may or may not have asked anything of God, but the situation shows God’s hand just as He had promised.
His whole purpose in leaving is to find a wife from Laban, and by God’s grace he happens upon some men from Haran who know Laban and his daughter.
His whole purpose in leaving is to find a wife from Laban, so it’s fortunate that he happens upon some men from Haran who know Laban and his daughter. Note the differences in these verses from when Abraham’s servant got a wife for Isaac. The servant went to a well and found the woman too, but he very clearly sought God’s direction. Jacob may or may not have asked anything of God, but the situation shows God’s hand just as He had promised.
Gen 29:
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.”
Gen 29:9
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.
He may want them to hurry up and water so he can be alone with Rachel, but since she’s already in view this doesn’t seem right. Or he may simply be giving advice about how to shepherd, but this also seems strange because he’s obviously more interested in her than in the shepherds. I think perhaps he wants to make sure she’ll stop and water her flock so he tries to get the shepherds to open the well early. They refuse, but God’s plan is already at work so Jacob doesn’t need them anyway.
Without trying Jacob found his “mother’s brother”!
9And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep; for she kept them. 10And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother’s brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother’s brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother’s brother.
God was at work in the world again.
There’s a lot left out of this story which I suppose is unimportant. Did Jacob break the rule of waiting for everyone? Did a lot of time pass in “it came to pass”? Was Rachel’s flock among the last to arrive and so it was time? None of these are answered or stressed. What is important is that without even trying Jacob found his “mother’s brother”!
He was making a nation and the children which would be born from the upcoming weddings will become the 12 tribes of Israel.
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.
Gen 29:
Jacob is so overwhelmed that he can’t help but kiss her and weep and she’s so excited that she runs to tell her father
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.
Jacob is so overwhelmed that he can’t help but kiss her and weep and she’s so excited that she runs to tell her father
How much did Jacob tell Laban? At the very least he tells enough to convince Laban they are truly kin.
13And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sister’s son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house. And he told Laban all these things. 14And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh.
Jacob had found his wife.
How much did Jacob tell Laban? At the very least he tells enough to convince Laban they are truly kin.
God had guided another generation to meet.
Gen 29:14-
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.
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.
Jacob lives with Laban a month and helps with all the chores. At the end of that time Laban wants to hire Jacob to stay on full time. “What will you charge?”
There are two important facts here:
16And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. 17Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured. 18And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.
(1) Leah is the elder sister.
There are two important facts here: (1) Leah is the elder sister. Jacob wants to skip over Leah and marry Rachel. The original readers would have caught that immediately and known that this request goes against cultural norms. But there’s an even more significant fact here: (2) Jacob loved Rachel and didn’t love Leah. Leah has “weak eyes.” Whatever it means it’s the opposite of beautiful and well favored. The bottom line is that he has rejected her because of what he sees about her. He doesn’t see her as God does and his choice is not made with guidance and apparently not by faith.
Jacob wants to skip over Leah and marry Rachel. The original readers would have caught that immediately and known that this request goes against cultural norms. But there’s an even more significant fact here:
(2) Jacob loved Rachel and didn’t love Leah.
Leah has “weak eyes.” Whatever it means it’s the opposite of beautiful and well favored. The bottom line is that he has rejected her because of what he sees about her. He doesn’t see her as God does and his choice is not made with guidance and apparently not by faith.
He’s so in love that these seven years fly, but things don’t go as intended:
19And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me. 20And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.
He’s so in love that these seven years fly, but things don’t go as intended:
I can picture him whistling while he works. He’s so in love that these seven years fly, but things don’t go as intended:
Gen 29:21-
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.
This is a pretty bold move on Laban’s part. It’s dark and the bride wears a veil so Jacob never suspects a thing. He goes to her and consummates the marriage and the two become one flesh.
24And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid for an handmaid.
Jacob is right to be angry, but there’s a little hypocrisy on his part. T
This is important because Zilpah will bear Gad and Asher in the next chapter ().
25And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?
Think of the similarities between this experience and what he did to his own father:
Jacob is right to be angry, but there’s a little hypocrisy on his part. Think of the similarities between this experience and what he did to his own father:
(1) Neither Jacob nor Isaac could see the one tricking him. Isaac made the wrong choice in his blindness, and Jacob was blinded by his wrong choice.
(2) Both men were driven by their flesh. Jacob wanted Rachel and Isaac wanted his favorite food.
(3) Neither man sought God’s will in the matter. They knew best and both ended up with something they didn’t want.
(4) Both chose the “unchosen.” Isaac tried to cheat Jacob. Jacob tried to cheat Leah.
He had to serve another 7 years.
Jacob finally gets what he wants and he also gets Bilhah who will give him Dan and Naphtali (). But now he’s still got to work another seven years and he has this wife he doesn’t love. Apparently he wasn’t’ very concerned about hiding it:
I wonder if this is a jab at the fact that Jacob has tricked his older brother out of the birthright and blessing. Perhaps, but the point is that Laban refuses to go against culture and uses it to justify his actions. The only way he’ll let Rachel go is after a second payment:
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.
28And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also. 29And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his handmaid to be her maid. 30And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years.
Jacob finally gets what he wants and he also gets Bilhah who will give him Dan and Naphtali (). But now he’s still got to work another seven years and he has this wife he doesn’t love. Apparently he wasn’t’ very concerned about hiding it:
The Levites, Moses, David, and Christ were born from the lineage of Leah and not Rachel!
31And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.
31And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.
This is a good spot to remind you of the point of this story. God promised to make Jacob’s descendants like the dust of the earth. This whole chapter shows us how He’ll do that, and isn’t it interesting that He opened Leah’s womb but closed Rachel’s?
Jacob rejected the one God chose.
Look at this significance:
32And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me. 33And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the LORD hath heard I was hated, he hath therefore given me this son also: and she called his name Simeon. 34And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons: therefore was his name called Levi. 35And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing.
The Levites, Moses, David, and Christ were born from the lineage of Leah and not Rachel! Jacob rejected the one God chose.
All she wants is for Jacob to love her the way he loves Rachel.
Did you catch that? All she wants is for Jacob to love her the way he loves Rachel. He doesn’t. She has another son for him, and there is still no apparent change. By the time she has his third son, she knows love is too much to ask; she’s decided to settle for attachment: “Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons.”
She says as much when she conceives.
He doesn’t.
Son after son are born, but Jacob’s heart is still cold to her.
Perhaps Jacob will now value her. We’re not told whether or not he does, but the birth of the fourth child gives us a clue: “And she conceived again and bore a son and said, ‘This time I will praise the LORD.’” It’s almost as if Leah has given up hope waiting for Jacob’s love or attention. She’s come to the point where she realizes that God loves her, He blesses her, and that’s enough: “Now will I praise the LORD.”
Perhaps Jacob will now value her. We’re not told whether or not he does, but the birth of the fourth child gives us a clue: “And she conceived again and bore a son and said, ‘This time I will praise the LORD.’” It’s almost as if Leah has given up hope waiting for Jacob’s love or attention. She’s come to the point where she realizes that God loves her, He blesses her, and that’s enough: “Now will I praise the LORD.”
Lessons:
Lessons:
What can we learn from all this?
#1- God directs us even when we’re not looking for it.
#1- God directs us even when we’re not looking for it.
It is odd when Christians fear “missing” the will of God.
Yes, it’s possible to grieve the Spirit and to do things that aren’t righteous, but Jacob is a great example of a man more along for the ride than piloting the ship.
He doesn’t know where he’s going or who he’ll meet or where he’ll stay, but he doesn’t need to know these things. God has it worked out.
His plan becomes clear in time.
It is based on God’s goodness, not our righteousness
His promise is unchanged.
#2- God fulfills His promise despite men’s sinfulness.
#2- God fulfills His promise despite men’s sinfulness.
Laban didn’t have Jacob’s best interests in mind which explains why he acted so selfishly.
Even though Laban is deceitful, He played right into what God wanted to happen!
When God decrees a plan, it will come to pass!
#3- God causes His children to experience suffering to glorify Himself and lead us to praise.
#3- God causes His children to experience suffering to glorify Himself and lead us to praise.
It’s good to remember that being His child doesn’t mean being happy by the world’s standards.
Notice:
strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.
As sad as it sounds, we must expect persecution and hardship and expect to be hated.
In fact, it’s through much tribulation that we enter the kingdom of God ().
But we’re also comforted because we know that God is the only real source of comfort.
And so we must expect persecution and hardship and expect to be hated. But we’re also comforted because we know that God is the only real source of comfort. Leah sought this comfort from Jacob, but by the time her fourth child was born she looked only to the Lord.
Leah sought this comfort from Jacob, but by the time her fourth child was born she looked only to the Lord.