Jacob's deceptions come back to haunt him when he goes to look for a wife. First off, his uncle requires him to work for 7 years for the right to marry Laban's youngest daughter Rachel. Then when the wedding night comes, Laban tricks Jacob into sleeping with his oldest daughter, Leah. This leads to Jacob working another 7 years for the right to marry Rachel. You could say Jacob is paying for his earlier deceptive behavior or you could say this group of people just had a knack for deceiving others or you could wonder (again) how such flawed people became the founders of our faith.
Regardless, they had to know this situation was not going to be good.
These deceptions led to an unloving marriage between Jacob and Leah ("the Lord saw that Leah was unloved" Genesis 29:31).
These deceptions led to Leah attempting to earn Jacob's love through bearing him children ("The Lord has noticed my misery, and now my husband will love me" Genesis: 29:32).
These deceptions led to jealousy between sisters because Rachel could not have children.
These deceptions led to servants becoming wives ("So Rachel gave servant, Bilhah, to Jacob as a wife, and he slept with her." Genesis 30:4).
These deceptions led to the selling of sexual rights between Rachel and Leah over a handful of mandrakes.
These deceptions led to the Jacob having 12 sons between two wives and two servant wives.
And these deceptions led to the creation of the 12 tribes of Israel.
Once again, this is an amazing story of how the actions of flawed humans can be used for a greater good—God's plan.
No comments:
Post a Comment