Genesis Chapter 29: Esau’s deceiver gets deceived, Jacob starts a family

In this chapter Jacob is headed to the land of what the scripture calls the “eastern peoples”.  Jacob met a group of shepherds and during their conversation Jacob discovered that his family was nearby.  He meets Rachel who tells the news to Laban who is Jacob’s mother’s brother.  Laban takes Jacob in and marries 2 daughters Leah and Rachel.

Jacob’s patience in this chapter spoke to me as I was reading.  Jacob agreed to work 7 years for Rachel’s hand.  The scripture describes Rachel as “lovely in form and beauty” (Genesis 29:17).  After 7 years Jacob waste no time in wanting payment for his work, only to be deceived by Laban.  Laban shares with Jacob the tradition that the older daughter must be married first.  Leah was this older daughter and the scripture describes her as having “weak eyes” (Genesis 29:17) So Jacob works another 7 years for Rachel’s hand in marriage!  Even though this time, Laban will allow Jacob to marry Rachel immediately.  Jacob saw what he wanted, paid his debt and was rewarded.  Think about the value placed on Rachel and how determined Jacob was to earn the right to marry her.

The scripture says that Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah. (Genesis 29:30) “When the LORD saw that Leah was not loved, he opened her womb.” (Genesis 29:31)  This part of the chapter displays God’s compassion for Leah.  Leah went on to have 4 sons Reuben which meant, “It is because the LORD has seen my misery”, Simeon, Levi, and Judah.  Leah desired children and God blessed her with sons.  Our God is compassionate, he watches us and knows the desires of our heart.