Bible Study Online Article

In the last article we learned that Jacob had met some shepherds of the east.

It would also be at this time, he came across the very beautiful shepherdess who was named Rachel.

After he'd met with Rachel, she introduced Jacob to her father Laban, who was by the way, Jacob's uncle.

It would be at that time that Laban had invited Jacob to come and stay at his house, since he was family and had nowhere else to stay at the time.

And although Jacob would be a guest in his uncle's house, he wouldn't become idle and lazy. Jacob would show his appreciation by Rachel's helping family when it came to the tending Laban's flocks. Keep in mind that Jacob in his own right, was himself, a very knowledgeable and skill shepherd. Plus, by him helping with Laban's flocks, he would gain more access to Rachel, the one he seemed to adore very much.

Be that as it may, we find that Laban was very impressed by Jacob's ingenious and industrious work ethic, especially when it came to the way Jacob tended the flocks. Know that Jacob had stayed there and helped out for about one month before Laban had approached him and asked him a question: "Just because you are a relative of mine, should you work for me for nothing? Tell me what your wages should be."

Know I want to point out real quick that Laban had two daughters. Laban's older daughter went by the name "Leah" and remember that the younger daughter was named "Rachel" the one we've already been introduced to. Also for curiosity sake, the name "Leah" means: (gazelle). And remember that the name "Rachel" means: (a sheep).

I would also like to point out that Jacob was about seventy- seven years old at this particular time in his life. Now keep in mind that being seventy-seven of that time is not the same as being seventy-seven in today's time. Know that Jacob would live to be about 147 years old, so in retrospect, Jacob was a middle age man at this time.

However, as we now move along, we find that the Sacred Scriptures reveals that Leah was tender-eyed. This probably meant that her eyes were soft and moist, a feature that likely made her out to be very ordinary looking. But Rachel on the other hand, was very beautiful and lovely in form. This is why we find that Jacob very much adored and loved Rachel.

Now remember that earlier Laban had asked Jacob: "Just because you are a relative of mine, should you work for me for nothing? Tell me what your wages should be." After hearing this, Jacob responded by saying: "I'll work for you seven years in return for younger daughter Rachel." It would be at this time that Laban had suggested: "It's better that I give her to you than to some other man. Stay here with me."

So Jacob and Laban had made an agreement, and Jacob worked seven years in Laban's household, in order for him to get the right to marry Rachel. Know that the love that Jacob had for Rachel was very real and quite strong. I'm pointing this out, because when it came to Jacob, the seven years of labor that he had agreed to, and would eventually finish, seemed like only a few days to him.

Plus we have to keep in mind that Jacob was working closely with Rachel anyway, being that she too, worked with the flocks. Now we move forward and we learned that after the seven years had passed, Jacob approached Laban and demanded: "Give me my wife, my time is completed, and I want to lie with her." After hearing this, Laban was like: "Very well." And he brought together all his relatives and invited his surrounding neighbors as well, and gave a great feast in what seemed to be in honor of Jacob and Rachel.

But in actuality, when evening came, Laban had different plans...? Understand that it was custom for the husband to have his wife brought to him while he waited in a dark room. And it would be at this time that the wife would enter with a veil over her face. Now keep this in mind as we move forward, for we find that Jacob had waited for his wife as he sat in his tent. It would be at this time that Laban would then present Jacob with his new wife, and Jacob that night - did lay with her.

Now we move forward and as the night ended and morning had came - Jacob had awaken. But there was a problem, for the Sacred Record reveals that Jacob had discovered that it was Leah - Laban's oldest daughter lying beside him. Jacob had thought that he had laid with Rachel, the woman he'd worked seven years for. So we find that apparently, Laban had crafted a plan with his daughter Leah in order to deceive Jacob.

Understand that this plan would serve not only Laban and Leah - but God as well. And know that this will be done in a couple of ways.

First: This plan would get Leah a husband that she longed for. With her being described as being a simple looking woman, it was probably hard for her to find a man that would want her.

Second: Laban knew that Jacob really loved and wanted Rachel, and he used Jacob's emotional weakness against him. Laban would use this "weakness" in order to get Jacob to work for "Rachel's hand in marriage" a little bit longer.

Third: God would use this plan to bring Jacob deeper into a "season of reaping" in regards to what he had done to his own father Isaac and brother Esau. Understand that Jacob was now paying a greater price for deceiving his father and brother.

Know that this "season of reaping" began when Jacob was forced to leave his father's estate, in order for Jacob to be able to escape the wrath of his brother, Esau. Now we find that later on in his life, Jacob would now be deceived by his father-in-law. And on top of this, he has to deal with the fact that he has now worked seven years for a woman he did not love, or want to marry.

So after Jacob had came before Laban he demanded to know "why?" : "What is this you have done to me? I served you for Rachel didn't I? Why have you deceived me?" After hearing this, Laban responded by saying: "It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older one. Finish this daughter bridal week; then we will give you the younger one also, in return for another seven years of work."

Being that Jacob loved Rachel with all his heart, and even though he was very disappointed in what just happened - he would agree to work for another seven years. So Jacob would finish out the bridal week with Leah and it's at this time that Laban would then give Rachel over to Jacob, so that she could be his wife and Jacob laid with her that night. Also know that Jacob would not retaliate, but instead, he kept true to his word and worked for his father-in-law Laban for another seven years.

Both of Laban's daughters would also receive handmaidens from their father as well. Leah received her handmaiden who went by the name "Zilpah", on her wedding day and Rachel a week later, also received a handmaiden who went by the name "Bilhah".

Just like Jacob had to work hard for the woman he loved. Now the women will compete for the man they love. Things get a little bit more interesting in the next article.

The Introduction of Abraham

The Birth of Isaac

The Birth of Esau & Jacob

**YOUR CURRENT BIBLE STUDY ONLINE SERIES WOULD BE HERE**

Jacob - Wrestles with God

Joseph the Favorite Son

Joseph the Overseer of Egypt

The Unveiling of Joseph

42) Esau - Heart of Vengeance

43) Jacob - The Path of Uncertainty

44) Jacob - The Stone Pillow Dream

45) Rachel the Shepherdess

46) <-CURRENT BIBLE STUDY ONLINE PAGE->

47) Leah's Divine Favor

48) Bilhah the Child Bearer

49) Zilpah the Child Bearer

50) The Mandrake Plant of Love

51) The Birth of Joseph

52) Spotted & Speckled

53) Jacob the Master Shepherd

54) Jacob the Prosperous

55) Jacob Departs from Laban