Bible Study Online Article
Jacob had agreed to work seven years for his uncle Laban for the rights to marry his youngest daughter Rachel, whom he loved very much. Laban would privately agree to this arrangement, and so therefore Jacob work seven years for the woman who had his heart. But when it came time for Laban to honor his part of the agreement, he tricked Jacob by giving him his daughter Leah instead. Jacob was not pleased with what his uncle who is now his father-in-law had done. Jacob had been a huge prosperity blessing for Laban since the promise bearer had taken over the tending of his flocks. Laban did not want Jacob to leave being that he had prosper so much so because of him. So he presents Jacob with a new proposal, which would require him to work for another seven years (fourteen in total) and in return he gets Rachel as his wife immediately (after one bridal week). Jacob would agree because of his love for Rachel. Being that Jacob did not want Leah to begin with, and had been tricked into marrying her; we find that she was being treated unfairly. Jacob did not love her; he despised her and so therefore treated her that way. You would think Jacob would be a little bit more sensitive to her feelings, being that he grew up in a similar situation when he was trying to compete with his brother Esau when it came to the love of their father. The bible points out that during this time of emotional hardship for Leah, Rachel was barren and could not have kids during this time period. But for Leah, the Lord had given her the ability to bear children. She would be given the honor of giving birth to Jacob's first child which was a boy that she named Reuben. Reuben who name means (see, a son) was named behind the way Leah felt at the time that she gave birth. By her being able to give birth to Jacob's first son, she hoped that this would be enough to win his love. So therefore you have the meaning (see, a son). "It is because the Lord has seen my misery, surely my husband will love me now," Leah would say to herself. God would continue to show Leah favor by allowing her to conceive again. This time she would name the child Simeon who name means (one who hears). Being that she was treated so unfairly, God had look down from the heavens and heard the pain and afflictions that Leah was going through. Again God would bless her, by allowing Leah to bear another child in which she name Levi who name means (joined). Now keep in mind that this is the beginning of the twelve tribe foundation that forms the great nation Israel. With the birth of Levi, this gave Leah a tremendous honor, for now she would be the mother of the tribe that all priests would eventually come from. God was not done with Leah for He allowed her to bear another child, in which she called Judah. The name Judah means (praise), which was very fitting being that this would be the tribe that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ would eventually come from. "I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring." (Genesis 28: 13-14) With Jesus Christ being the Messiah, Redeemer and Saviour of all humanity, I would consider that to be the ultimate blessing to all peoples on the earth. What say you? Whole books have been written on this topic, proving that Jesus Christ was and is the true promised Messiah. After all, He did fulfill some thirty seven Old Testament prophecies that were written and spoken by great prophets like -- Isaiah, Moses, Jeremiah, Zechariah, Nathan (2 Samuel 7: 11-12), Daniel and Micah. Start at: The Introduction of Abraham Start at: The Birth of Isaac Start at: The Birth of Esau & Jacob 43) Jacob - The Path of Uncertainty 44) Jacob - The Stone Pillow Dream 46) Jacob - The Love Season of Reaping 47) <-CURRENT PAGE-> 50) The Mandrake Plant of Love  CrossDaily.com Web Search where you can VOTE FOR THIS SITE & other great ones. Christian search engine, directory & voting index. You'll find Bible, chat, churches, jobs, music, reviews, software, theology, & more. See the best sites!
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