: Genesis 29:18, biblehub.com/commentaries/genesis/29-18.htm, payscale.com/research/US/Job=Laborer/Hourly_Rate, New blog post from our CEO Prashanth: Community is the future of AI, Improving the copy in the close modal and post notices - 2023 edition. After the bridal feast, Jacob thought he was consummating the marriage with Rachel, but when morning came he realized hed been fooled. Jacob worked for his uncle Laban 7 years, then married Leah & Rachel, He worked the next 6 years for his uncle's flocks, then he left Haran, Jacob stayed in Succoth, built shelters for his livestock, then he built a house there and settled down to raise his 12 kids, As Jacob's sons got older they worked with the flocks. Similarly, we know God loves us so much He is willing to go to any lengths to win our hearts and souls for His kingdom. Rachels discontentment led her to the same kind of fleshly scheme Sarah tried. Jacob had stayed and worked for Laban for a month. 4:11). Jacob, as he had already lain with Leah, was stuck. 18Jacob was in love with Rachel(A) and said, Ill work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.(B), 19Laban said, Its better that I give her to you than to some other man. Passing negative parameters to a wolframscript, A boy can regenerate, so demons eat him for years. Some of these things are important and need to be talked out. By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. This stone has a mysterious past beyond British coronations, Ultimate Italy: 14 ways to see the country in a new light, 6 unforgettable Italy hotels, from Lake Como to Rome, A taste of Rioja, from crispy croquettas to piquillo peppers, Trek through this stunning European wilderness, Land of the lemurs: the race to save Madagascar's sacred forests, When Jacob met Rachel he kissed her and lifted up his voice, and wept (Genesis 29:11). How is it possible Jacob didnt see Leahs face or hear her voice? It may not take any longer than the honeymoon for his wife to discover that she married a monster she never really knew. God wants wives to sense their husbands intense love for them even when they are acting like stinkers (Eph. Genesis 24:67 And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death. WOW! Then they let their father Jacob think Joseph had been killed by a wild animal. And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him. Could he have been showing off just a little? He served Laban another full seven years work for Rachel. It was during the move to Ephrath that Benjamin was born and Rachel died. Access 50+ premium resources. So she peddled Jacobs affections to Leah for the night for a couple of those love apples (Gen. 30:14, 15). It was not Gods perfect will. Soon after his arrival in Harran, Jacob fell in love with the beautiful and lovely Rachel, daughter of his cousin Laban (Genesis 29:17). Again his heart must have leaped within him at the realization of Gods faithful direction. When we can recognize the presence of discontentment in our lives and acknowledge it as sin, we can seek Gods grace to overcome it and find new joy in living. Why does Acts not mention the deaths of Peter and Paul? So Jacob served Laban fourteen years for his two daughters and six years for the cattle a total of twenty years. God always keeps His promises no matter what. We also know that by the time Joseph was 17 years old (Gen 37:2) his mother had been dead for some unknown time before. The week refers to the week of wedding festivities. It depends. It only takes a minute to sign up. Do you feel jealousy toward some other person? In time, Jacob was able to acquire a flock of sheep, camels, and goats of his own. Technically, the children of that union would be Rachels children in their culture. (E), 22So Laban brought together all the people of the place and gave a feast. The older one was named Leah and the younger was named Rachel. She cooperated willingly with her fathers scheme but found very little satisfaction in the husband she had gained by deceit. He was probably furious with the whole family for their double-dealing fraud. You're right, we're never given Benjamin's age so we can't link him to his brothers that way. I don't know why I didn't think of running through the chronology myself! Look, finally, at love through deep sorrow. And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed to him but a few days, for the love he had to her. Some couples get angry with God for not giving them children, while others who do have children look forward to the day when the kids will be grown and gone and they can have some peace and quiet. God allowed Rachel to have her one last request. He was pastor of Emmanuel Faith Community Church in Escondido, CA from 1972 to 1993 when the Lord called him home. At the end of this, Joseph is 6 years old. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.. What positional accuracy (ie, arc seconds) is necessary to view Saturn, Uranus, beyond? WebJacob is 84 years old. But we get another glimpse into Rachels selfish nature when Bilhahs second son is born. Seven years?! Jacob was far from perfect, but he is an example to us of how a husband ought to treat his wife when she isnt all that she ought to be. He moved a stone that normally took several people to move, and watered all of Rachels sheep. It was at the end of the second seven year period that Joseph was born (Gen 30:25ff) and that Jacob wanted to leave but was persuaded to stay longer. Jacob soon fell in love with Labans younger daughter, Rachel, and agreed to work for Laban seven years in exchange for marriage to her ( Genesis 29:1620 ). Jacob continued to prefer Rachel. The miracle of Gods guidance and care, the thrill of meeting his pretty cousin, the prospect of what the future would holdall of it filled his heart so full that he wept for joy. Lets look at love under great stress. NIV, Biblical Theology Study Bible, Comfort Print: Follow Gods Redemptive Plan as It Unfolds throughout Scripture, NIV, Lucado Encouraging Word Bible, Comfort Print: Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV, Story of Jesus: Experience the Life of Jesus as One Seamless Story, NIV, Beautiful Word Bible Journal, Galatians, Paperback, Comfort Print, NIV, The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People, NIV, Verse Mapping Bible, Comfort Print: Find Connections in Scripture Using a Unique 5-Step Process. What part did your kids seem to like the most in this Bible Lesson??? God told them to go to Bethel (Genesis 35:1,5), The family repented, buried their idols and moved to Bethel. 2 hours of sleep? Then a few chapters later (Genesis 37) it goes back to that point (at the end of the fast-forwarded decade) and picks up the narrative from a Joseph's perspective and shows the events that led to Jacob abandoning his house in Succoth. He told Rachel that he was a relative of her father, Laban. The assent on the part of Laban cannot be accounted for from the custom of selling daughters to husbands, for it cannot be shown that the purchase of wives was a general custom at that time; but is to be explained solely on the ground of Laban's selfishness and avarice, which came out still more plainly afterwards. But he was more than willing to do this in order to marry his beloved Rachel. 7. How to Have Joy in Your Golden Years Despite These 10 Life A God-Centered Life: 10 Faith-Based Practices When Youre Feeling Anxious, Grumpy, or Stressed, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Am I God? he flared. Jacob loved Rachel so much that he requested to work ANOTHER 7 YEARS in order to have Rachel to be his wife. Are these the stolen gods/idols of Laban in Genesis 35:2? Jacob buried her in a tomb near Bethlehem and set up a pillar that reportedly still remains (Genesis 35:16-20). The Cross And Separation From The World (1 Peter 4:1-6), 7. However, Laban agreed to give Jacob Rachel as well, provided Jacob finish the wedding week with Leah before taking Rachel as a wife, and then work another More, more, more! At this point, Joseph was the youngest son (Gen 33:2) and the only child of Rachel. This means that it was a minimum of 13 years in Paddan-aram plus at least 2 more years that Jacob was married to Rachel. Seven years is a long time to wait, and I think Jacob really did grow to love Rachel during those years. At Jacobs request, they buried him next to Leah in the cave of Machpelah in Hebron beside Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, and Rebekah (Gen. 49:29-31; 50:13). The answer may be simply that the seven years totaled up to a reasonable value of Jacob's labor which he was willing to "pay" eventually for Rachel and ultimately for Leah. 1 Corinthians 13:7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. While traveling south, close to the Jabbok River, Jacob came upon a stranger who challenged him to a struggle. (O) 29Laban gave his servant Bilhah(P) to his daughter Rachel as her attendant. And most of us have moments like that. Even the range of 15-22 years is pretty precise, all things given, and pins it down much more than I would have thought possible. We're not told exactly how long after they left Succoth that Benjamin was born, but it was likely in the first year or two. God made one woman for one man (Gen. 2:24, cf. (J) I served you for Rachel, didnt I? 30 For it was little indeed you had before I came, He reminded the shepherds that grazing time was being lost and that they should water their flocks and get them back out to pasture while it was still light, probably a ploy to get rid of them so he could talk to Rachel alone. But he had to work seven more years without pay after marrying her. Axolotls and capybaras are TikTok famousis that a problem? The Cross And Our Response to Trials (1 Peter 4:12-19), 8. For various reasons, I've always wondered how long Jacob and Rachel were married before her death. But can you imagine Jacobs utter consternation when the morning light exposed Labans chicanery? I'm not sure if the exact value may be calculated today so that we may know if the value he was placing on Rachel was more than or equal to the standard rate that was expected for a bride. She was saying essentially, if I cant have my own way, Id rather be dead. Here was a woman who had almost everything in lifegreat physical beauty, all the material things she needed, and the adoring devotion of a loving husband. When we last saw Jacob he was running from Beersheba for his life, fleeing the vengeance of his brother Esau. seventeen years If you feel that certain things should be changed, what should you do? By talking in whispered tones in the darkened tent, she made it through the night. Jacob was traveling to a place called Paddan Aram. At the top stood God, reaffirming his covenant with Abraham that now passed to Jacob: The land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring (Genesis 28:13). Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. How should we view/interpret Jacob's initiative involving the rolling of the stone from the mouth of the well? What are the arguments for/against anonymous authorship of the Gospels. And they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her. A man may also trap a woman by promising wealth, or trick a woman by pretending to be something he is not, masking his faults until after the ceremony. This isn't such a straightforward task, though, since the chronology of Genesis is confusing. In the pressure of that bigamous relationship, Rachels true character began to surface. Throughout Scripture, we hear God often described as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Deuteronomy 9:5, Matthew 22:32, Acts 3:13), in honor of Gods covenantal promise that He would make their children numerous and give them land and other great blessings. Those 12 sons went on to become the 12 tribes of Israel. Which reverse polarity protection is better and why? The consequences of deception are usually painful and distressing. God is love. (I), 25When morning came, there was Leah! Jacob did not refuse for a very important reason. He is the one who is responsible for your barrenness. That is such a long time! So Jacob went in to Rachel also, and indeed he loved Rachel more than Leah, and he served with Laban for another seven years (Gen. 29:30). When Rachel was near, his heart pounded faster and a wonderful feeling swept over him. You might find out by asking her. Rachel, in Genesis, the first book of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), one of the two wives of the patriarch Jacob. 8. 5. Jacob was impressedprobably too impressed. The uncertainty arises from the unknown time between Jacob leaving Paddan-aram and arriving in Ephrath which was presumably at least 2 years (with Bethel in between) and when Joseph was 17 years old. So Jacob gathered his wives and children and his belongings and he slipped away while Laban was out shearing his sheep. Some husbands are discontented with their wives. A new discovery raises a mystery. But godliness actually is a means of great gain, when accompanied by contentment (1 Tim. Maybe men should ask themselves this question periodically, especially in the middle of a disagreement, Is my wife conscious of my love right now? He marries also Rachel, and serves for her seven years more. How could Jacob wrestle with God if no one can see God and live? Artist William Dyce captures this fateful moment in his mid-19th-century painting The Meeting of Jacob and Rachel., Photograph by Hamburger Kunsthalle, Hamburg, Germany/Bridgeman Images. She was envious, selfish, peevish, fretful, discontented, and demanding. She was killed at age 39 in the 2015 Philadelphia train The message came in the form of a dream about a ladder that stretched from heaven to earth. Laban had given Leah to Jacob. How to reconcile the number of people that went down to Egypt with Jacob? When the midwife told her she had given birth to a son, she gasped out his name with her last breathBen-oni, which means Son of my sorrow. Jacob later changed it to Benjamin, Son of my right hand. But isnt it ironic? At the end of 20 years, Jacob had to deceive Laban (Gen 31:20) and flee for his life and left to return to Beersheba but actually settled in Shechem (Gen 33:18). Jacob, by now humbled after his treachery and desperate for family ties and a place to call home, falls madly in love with Rachel. She named the child Naphtah, which means wrestling. She saw herself in a contest with her sister for first place in Jacobs estimation. Jacobs father accepted the consequences of his deceit when he impersonated his brother Esau and stole the family blessing, and Isaac was commended for it in the New Testament. Tricking someone into marriage is dangerous business, but it is still being done today. Isaac was the son of Abraham, the miracle child borne of Sarah in their old age. His twin Esau is a man of the land, a hunter, and the favorite of their father, while Jacob, who preferred to remain at home, was the favorite of their mother. Likewise, we too are never too far gone for the redeeming love of God. Even though Laban didnt set a good example of keeping a promise, God does. 30 Jacob also married Rachel, since he loved her. 20 So Jacob worked seven years for Rachel. Jacobs concubine Bilhah gave birth to Dan and Naphtali (Genesis 30:3-8), while another slave, Zilpah, gave him Gad and Asher (Genesis 30:9-13). 19 Its better that I give her to you than to another man, Laban replied, so stay with me. 20 Jacob served seven years for Rachel, but it seemed like only a few days because of his love for her. 24 Laban also gave his servant woman Zilpah to Leah to be her maidservant. Laban explained that according to tribal custom, the oldest daughter should be married first (Genesis 29:26). How long was it before Adam and Eve sinned? Review Activity BibleWise has a great activity to do with your kids to help them retain the Bible Story. If the null hypothesis is never really true, is there a point to using a statistical test without a priori power analysis? Perhaps you can research and find todays values for a worker. Time travel in this animation through the history of the Bible. She was the most beautiful creature he had ever laid eyes on, and he felt life without her would be worthless. Isnt that so crazy??? Jacob waited, and his romantic love at first sight grew to become a deep bond of spirit and a total commitment of soul. What are the teraphim (household gods) Rachel stole from Laban? He worked the Two, God has a plan that He will fulfill despite our all-too-human orchestrations, manipulations, and petty jealousies. Jessica Brodie is an award-winning Christian novelist, journalist, editor, blogger, and writing coach and the recipient of the 2018 American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis Award for her novel, The Memory Garden. (1958 More. In desperation over her barrenness, Rachel begged Jacob to lie with her servant, Bilhah, and thereby give her sons through this union (Genesis 30). There is an old saying that goes, True love never runs smoothly. Thats the way it was with Jacob and Rachel. How many years did Jacob serve laban? What is the significance that Jacob offered to work for Laban ,seven years for Rachel ? Was Jacob so Sexually driven that He mistook Leah for Rachel? Discuss some of the values of a lengthy and close acquaintance before marriage. Made with clay, wire, and recycled paper, the characters come to life in frame-by-frame motion. Laban was somewhat avarice and bargained. What's the cheapest way to buy out a sibling's share of our parents house if I have no cash and want to pay less than the appraised value? Jacob did not have to wait seven more years for Rachel, only one week. He had prospered to such an extent that Laban no longer felt very kindly toward him. True love requires thorough knowledge. 14 YEARS! (Note: This is the case still with the Bedouins, the Druses, and other Eastern tribes (Burckhardt, Voleny, Layard, and Lane). Now that shows a lot of love! Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. Web30 Rachel, realizing she was barren, became envious of her sister. And they replied, It is well, and behold, Rachel his daughter is coming with the sheep (Gen. 29:4-6). But tensions within the clan, particularly between Jacob and Labans sons, compelled Jacob to return to Canaan with his wives and handmaidens, who also served as Jacobs concubines. He had marital relations with her. More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free! Big-hearted Laban offered to give Rachel to Jacob as well if he would work for seven more years. He did not get very far before he learned that God was going with him. Jacob offered to serve him seven years for Rachel, the younger of his two daughters, whom he loved because of her beauty; i.e., just as many years as the week has days, that he might bind himself to a complete and sufficient number of years of service. Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, OT Law: Genesis 29:20 Jacob served seven years for Rachel (Gen. Ge Gn). Forced to serve Rachels father, Laban, for seven years to win her, Jacob was tricked at the end of that time into marrying her sister, Leah. He was then allowed to marry Rachel as well, in return for seven more years of labour. At first childless, Rachel eventually gave birth to Joseph and died giving birth to Benjamin. Jacob agreed to work for Laban for as long as you have been alive! No, it wasnt, not for Rachel. Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. Her labor was severe, and it became evident that she was going to die in childbirth. If you have any questions, please review our Privacy Policy or email us at [email protected]. Armed with that precious promise of Gods presence, Jacob headed for Haran, the land of his mothers family. Dottard Correct Laban was greedy, he bartered for both of his daughters., Although he played the part of the benevolent uncle, he reduced his blood relationship with Jacob to a service contract. We go on to read, Then Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted his voice and wept (Gen. 29:11). My time is completed, and I want to make love to her. The next morning when he woke up and saw the woman he married, he realized that is was LEAH!!!! But Rachel was pregnant with another son, and as they journeyed south from Bethel and were a short distance from Bethlehem, Rachel went into labor. He had just worked 7 years for Rachel, who he loved so much and then he wakes up to realize that he married Leah instead! The sin of discontentment has ruined countless relationships since Jacobs day. This lovely little Rachel seems to have been a shrew! One great test of true love, therefore, is the ability to wait. Since they are contrasted with her older sister Leahs, which had no brightness or sparkle, they must have been dark and lustrous, captivatingly beautiful. Is she feeling love, or is she feeling anger, hostility, and rejection? God made a wife with the need to rest secure in her husbands love at all times. 5:25). Why have you deceived me? Finish the following statement as you might have done before reading this chapter: I could be happy if only . Rachel's death (shortly after giving birth to Benjamin) is record in Genesis 35:16-18. How to subdivide triangles into four triangles with Geometry Nodes? Forced to serve Rachels father, Laban, for seven Some women try to buy a man with sex, or trap him with a baby, or lure him with family fortune. Can corresponding author withdraw a paper after it has accepted without permission/acceptance of first author. Likewise, in spite of our own sin that has the potential to forever separate us from God, God loves us deeply and so passionately that He chases us down in love to win us back to Him and all the good He has in store for us. And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her. There he met a beautiful woman named Rachel. She could not fully enjoy his love. (L) 27Finish this daughters bridal week;(M) then we will give you the younger one also, in return for another seven years of work. They can make their marriage succeed, but it will take a little extra effort, and they will need to make their relationship grow far beyond the physical magnetism that got it started. It was a long and lonely journey. But the shepherds had some sort of agreement that they would not roll the stone back from the mouth of the well until everybodys flocks were gathered (Gen. 29:7, 8). Wasnt Jacobs love worth more than any number of sons? When Jacob met Rachel he kissed her and But from the beginning we are a little dubious about the match. The Cross And Unjust Suffering (1 Peter 2:19-25), Living in Love: Secrets from Bible Marriages. God told Jacob that it was time to leave Uncle Laban and go back home to Canaan. Even though Jacob deceived his own family, he later embraced humility and was deceived himself. Thats right! also Lev. Laban agrees to allow him, in a week, to marry Rachel as well but he To Jacob, however, the seven years seemed but "a few days, because he loved Rachel." It isolated her in a grim world of loneliness. Only the conclusion of the bargaining is recorded. How can couples who married without it now compensate for it? Jacob was so shocked! Jacob was in love with Rachel, so he told Laban he would work for seven years in exchange for Rachels hand in marriage. Real satisfaction can only be found in the Lord. Her jealous malcontent was seen again a short time later. The fourteen years of service for Leah and Rachel must have been fulfilled shortly after the birth of Joseph. Generating points along line with specifying the origin of point generation in QGIS. He arrived in the general vicinity of the city weary, footsore, homesick, and not exactly sure where to go. What differentiates living as mere roommates from living in a marriage-like relationship? He was made to work for seven years for Rachel and another seven years for Leah. See. She did bear another son. He is the one who satisfies the thirsty soul and fills the hungry soul with good things (Ps. When Jacob confronted Laban, Laban was resolutein their culture, the younger daughter never marries before the older daughter. Glen : It is a very good answer +1, Seven years wages and most likely a 12 hour day, the then wages amounted to 50 shekels of silver. 13:5). And her eyeswhat gorgeous eyes they were! Indeed, the Bible tells us those seven years of labor seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her (Genesis 29:20). This must have been at least 1 year later.) What is Wario dropping at the end of Super Mario Land 2 and why? And the marital misfortunes of the proverbial football hero and homecoming queen bear it out too. Episode about a group who book passage on a space ship controlled by an AI, who turns out to be a human who can't leave his ship? He spotted a well and stopped to rest. Thanks for contributing an answer to Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange! Why did you deceive me?, 26 But Laban responded, Its not the practice of our place to give the younger one in marriage before the firstborn. Why the obscure but specific description of Jane Doe II in the original complaint for Westenbroek v. Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity? Jacob never got over Rachel. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. Sign up now for the latest news and deals from Bible Gateway! Genesis: Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Pentateuch by John Goldingay. Jacob did not have to wait seven more years for Rachel, only one week. 23 That night Laban took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob. Jacob turned his head, took one fateful look, and it was without a doubt love at first sight. How old was Jacob when he first saw Rachel? He loved her to the end of his life. He wrestles with God one night and endures, and God renames him Israel, because as God said, You have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome (Genesis 32:28). His death is recorded in Genesis 49roughly half of the Book of Genesis. There are Christians who are dissatisfied with the places where they live, the jobs they have, the money they make, and the houses they live in. Get our Question of the Week delivered right to your inbox! Although Jacob was tricked into it, there were alternatives. What characteristics bother you the most? What do I do about calling a priest father at my Catholic University? At one point a decade passes between 2 verses (Genesis 33:17-18), then the narration continues forward without mentioning Joseph being sold by his brothers. I suspect that she loved Jacob from the start and longed for him to return her affection.
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how many years did jacob work for rachel