Genesis 29:1-30
Q.1. How did Jacob know that he had reached his destination? What do we learn about Jacob from his meeting with Rachel? Was he accepted by his relatives? – (Gen.29:1-14)
Jacob seemed to have little attraction towards travelling (Gen.25:27; 28:16). He knew that he had finally arrived when he came to – … a well in the field, and behold, three flocks of sheep were lying there beside it, for from that well they watered the flocks. Now the stone on the mouth of the well was large (Gen.29:2). He was told he was at Haran and had reached his destination (Gen.29:4). He was a strong man, who upon meeting Rachel – … went up and rolled the stone from the mouth of the well and watered the flock of Laban his mother’s brother (Gen.29:10 c.f. Gen.29:8). Jacob was not ashamed to show his emotions (Gen.29:11). Rachel was smitten – … she ran and told her father (Gen.29:12). Laban warmly welcomed his sister’s son and treated him as his own (Gen.29:13-14).
Q.2. How did Jacob pay the dowry for Rachel? Was it burdensome? How did Laban deceive Jacob? How did they resolve the conflict? – (Gen.29:15-28)
Though Isaac was very wealthy, he had not yet made provision for Jacob (c.f. Gen.26:12-14). However, Laban was happy to pay for Jacob’s services. Jacob elected to work for the bridal price for Rachel, who – … was beautiful of form and face … he loved Rachel, so he said, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.” (Gen.29:17-18). Though he – … served seven years for Rachel, they seemed to him but a few days because of his love for her (Gen.29:20). However, he was about to learn a lesson about deception. The wedding reception left him in a state where he did not realize which sister he had slept with – So it came about in the morning that, behold, it was Leah! (Gen.29:25). Laban’s explanation was that – … It is not the practice in our place to marry off the younger before the firstborn (Gen.29:26). It seems that this cultural tradition had not been explained to Jacob. Laban agreed to give Rachel to Jacob after the required week of conjugal responsibilities to Leah. However, Jacob then had to work for another seven years after marrying Rachel (Gen.29:27-30).