Jacob was in love with Rachel from the first that he met her. She was very beautiful. Jacob wanted her so much that he told her father, “I’ll work for you seven years if you’ll give me Rachel, your younger daughter, as my wife.” This made Laban very happy. So, he said, Stay here and work with me.” This, of course was a tempting offer to Laban, his uncle; because one would suspect that he then knew that Jacob would be free labor for him all those years. Jacob worked seven years to pay for Rachel; but to him it seemed like only a few days. His love for her was so strong.
Laban was a skillful manipulator and claimed that it’s better that I give her to you than to another man. And as one who thought Laban would keep his word and his promise, at the end of the seven years, Jacob said, “give me my wife.” In Jacob’s past and according to Jacob’s name, which meant “heel-catcher” or contender, some of Jacob’s old ways in his younger years were being duplicated. Jacob said, “Give me my wife. My time is completed for waiting, so I may sleep with her.”
This was a joyous time and Laban made a feast, which was a typical way of celebrating wonderful things and invited the neighbors. As a matter of fact, Abraham and Sarah gave a great feast in celebration of their first child, Isaac (the chosen spiritual heir and recognized as “the seed” which God had promised them). Abraham was one hundred five years old. Isaac was born to Abraham at the ripe old age of one hundred years and Sarah ninety nine years old. They were both astonished and God said, “Is there anything too hard for me?”
Their youth was restored for they were both way past child bearing years. As one might imagine, after waiting seven years to make love to the woman Jacob really loved, he was beyond excited and elated. However, Laban was a deceitful and greedy uncle, the brother of Jacob’s mother (Rebekah). Laban gave his female servant Zilpah to his daughter Leah. This was not anything unusual that wives were given as servants, maids and handmaidens to the men.
For example, when Abraham and Sarah had to wait many years for the “promised seed, Isaac,” during their waiting, they decided to have Hagar go in to Abraham to bear children. That union brought forth Ishmael, who was the first born of Abraham, but not the promised “seed” that God had spoken and promised to Abraham. Abraham and Sarah conceived Ishmael, but he was not the “spiritual,” God ordained “seed” according to God’s will and promise. Jacob was eagerly waiting to make love to wonderful Rachel. “To be continued.” Please tune in next week! Thanks for reading!
Jeanette Grattan Parker, Founder-Superintendent Today’s Fresh Start Charter School 323-293-9826: todaysfreshstart.org; [email protected]tm [email protected] tm “Inquiring minds want to know.” copyright. all rights reserved©Askdrjeanetteparker.com tm Bible references: Companion Bible, Jimmy Swaggart’s Bible; Word In Life Study Bible and more.