Mar 10

Genesis 29:1-35
Memorise Galatians 6:7-8
“What is this thou hast done unto me… wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?”

The name “Jacob” literally means to catch hold of, and carries the meaning of a supplanter or even to deceive or defraud. It was given to him because when he was born, “his hand took hold on Esau’s heel” (Genesis 25:26). This name turned out to be a true reflection of his character, as after he cunningly deceived his father for his blessings, his brother Esau exclaimed “Is not he rightly named Jacob? For he hath supplanted me these two times” (Genesis 27:36). Now, as Jacob comes into contact with Laban, he will have a taste of his own medicine, for the deceiver himself will be deceived!

As Jacob came to Haran and he first met Rachel at the well, it was love at first sight. Soon he began to enquire for her hand in marriage from Laban her father, who was also his uncle, his mother’s brother. The deal that was struck seemed reasonable enough. As Jacob had no possessions at all to give as a dowry, he offered to serve under Laban for seven years, and his wage would be the hand of Rachel in marriage. For Jacob, that was no problem at all, and those seven years “seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her” (Genesis 29:20). However, at the end of the seven years, unbeknownst to Jacob, Laban made a cruel switch, and replaced Rachel with Leah at the wedding. Jacob had been fooled! When he found out the next morning, he rushed to Leban and cried to him: “What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?” (Genesis 29:25). By then it was too late, the marriage had been consummated! If Jacob still wanted to marry Rachel, he would have to work another 7 years for Laban for free! Laban had manipulated him in such a way that he had now married off his two daughters in the right order (older before the younger), and he had a faithful and diligent worker who would work for him for no pay. Truly Jacob was now getting a taste of his own medicine!

I am sure this whole episode would have left a bitter taste in the mouth of Jacob. He was betrayed and wronged, and forced to do what he did not want to do. Yet he really had no cause to complain, for he himself had done the exact same thing, in deceiving and betraying his father’s trust. Indeed as Jesus taught the disciples in Matthew 7:12 “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.”

Thought: Am I a person that I would like to be friends with?
Prayer: Lord, help me to always be kind and honest in my ways.