Working For A Wife Series

Now the Bible initially contrasts Rachel and Leah based on their appearance. We’re told that Rachel was beautiful, but Leah had “delicate” eyes… the Hebrew word there is “rak” and it literally means “tender” or “weak.” Some people think that she had these big doe eyes. Other’s think she might have been cross-eyed… or it may have been that they were a pale-bluish color. Whatever it was, it was considered unattractive, and that’s why we see the contrast between her and Rachel. Now it’s interesting though, because Proverbs 31:30 tells us guys not to base our relationships on how a woman looks. It says, “Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.” But again, Jacob was a carnal man at the time, and he was attracted to Rachel. But if we play Paul Harvey and look at the rest of the story we see that Leah was the one who was blessed by God. She had several kids, long before Rachel ever did. Secondly; Rachel is the one… in Genesis 31, who takes her father’s idols when they leave Haran. Thirdly; Rachel dies before Leah does. We read that in Genesis 35. And fourthly; Genesis chapter 49 tells us that Jacob had Leah buried in the place where he was to be buried, not Rachel. And fifthly; it’s from Leah that the line of Christ is going to come from, not Rachel. Leah was the mother of Judah. Jacob had a plan, but so did God, and again – we see God’s will trumping the will of man. It happens every time. God’s ways are not our ways.

So Jacob begins to reap what he’s sown….

He worked seven years and was married to Leah, and then he had to work seven more years before he could be married to Rachel. And it’s like after that grace period of one month was over… God began to use Laban to really work on Jacob. In-fact, Laban is going to be the primary source of Jacob’s troubles for the next 20 years. And actually even beyond that. Laban’s going to cheat him and swindle him, and get 14 years of labor out of him, and be a thorn in his side for a big percentage of the rest of his life. And that’s just the way God works sometimes… He puts us, as believers into situations with people (sometimes unbelievers), in order to teach us about ourselves. I can tell you from experience, it’s hard to deal with someone who has the same character flaws that you do. And that’s what we’re seeing here. Jacob deceived his own father, and pretended to be Esau, and now his own uncle has pulled the ultimate trick on Jacob. He’s worked seven years of his life, without pay, for only room and board, and the promise that he would get to marry Rachel. But Laban pulled a fast one on him. And so if Jacob want’s Rachel, it’s going to be another seven years.

And here’s the thing… he actually does it.

How many of you would’ve been like, “Man that’s 14 years of my life!” Or now-a-days, most guys would probably just elope and run off to Vegas with her. “Forget the parents, we’re doing this our way.” But surprisingly; Jacob doesn’t do that. He goes back to work. He actually, really did love Rachel. And that’s a lesson. When a man… or a woman, is willing to put up with years of hardship, they must really love you. I mean, MariJo and I just had our anniversary at the beginning of the month, and I know she loves me, because she continues to put up with me. And I’m sure if you asked her, she’d tell you, I’m not the easiest guy to live with.