29
Jacob resumed his journey and went to the eastern country.
2
He looked and saw a well in a field. Three flocks of sheep were lying there beside it because the sheep were watered from this well. But a large stone covered the opening of the well.
3
The shepherds would roll the stone from the opening of the well and water the sheep when all the flocks were gathered there. Then they would return the stone to its place over the well’s opening.
4
Jacob asked the men at the well, “My brothers! Where are you from?”
“We’re from Haran,” they answered.
5
“Do you know Laban grandson of Nahor?” Jacob asked them.
They answered, “We know him.”
6
“Is he well?” Jacob asked.
“Yes,” they said, “and here is his daughter Rachel, coming with his sheep.”
7
Then Jacob said, “Look, it is still broad daylight. It’s not time for the animals to be gathered. Water the flock, then go out and let them graze.”
8
But they replied, “We can’t until all the flocks have been gathered and the stone is rolled from the well’s opening. Then we will water the sheep.”
9
While he was still speaking with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep, for she was a shepherdess.
10
As soon as Jacob saw his uncle Laban’s daughter Rachel with his sheep, he went up and rolled the stone from the opening and watered his uncle Laban’s sheep.
11
Then Jacob kissed Rachel and wept loudly.
12
He told Rachel that he was her father’s relative, Rebekah’s son. She ran and told her father.
JACOB DECEIVED
13
When Laban heard the news about his sister’s son Jacob, he ran to meet him, hugged him, and kissed him. Then he took him to his house, and Jacob told him all that had happened.
14
Laban said to him, “Yes, you are my own flesh and blood.”
After Jacob had stayed with him a month,
15
Laban said to him, “Just because you’re my relative, should you work for me for nothing? Tell me what your wages should be.”
16
Now Laban had two daughters: the older was named Leah, and the younger was named Rachel.
17
Leah had tender eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful.
18
Jacob loved Rachel, so he answered Laban, “I’ll work for you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.”
19
Laban replied, “Better that I give her to you than to some other man. Stay with me.”
20
So Jacob worked seven years for Rachel, and they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.
21
Then Jacob said to Laban, “Since my time is complete, give me my wife, so I can sleep with her.”
22
So Laban invited all the men of the place and sponsored a feast.
23
That evening, Laban took his daughter Leah and gave her to Jacob, and he slept with her.
24
And Laban gave his slave Zilpah to his daughter Leah as her slave.
25
When morning came, there was Leah! So he said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Wasn’t it for Rachel that I worked for you? Why have you deceived me?”
26
Laban answered, “It is not the custom in this place to give the younger daughter in marriage before the firstborn.
27
Complete this week of wedding celebration, and we will also give you this younger one in return for working yet another seven years for me.”
28
And Jacob did just that. He finished the week of celebration, and Laban gave him his daughter Rachel as his wife.
29
And Laban gave his slave Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her slave.
30
Jacob slept with Rachel also, and indeed, he loved Rachel more than Leah. And he worked for Laban another seven years.
JACOB’S SONS
31
When the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, he opened her womb; but Rachel was unable to conceive.
32
Leah conceived, gave birth to a son, and named him Reuben, for she said, “The Lord has seen my affliction; surely my husband will love me now.”
33
She conceived again, gave birth to a son, and said, “The Lord heard that I am unloved and has given me this son also.” So she named him Simeon.
34
She conceived again, gave birth to a son, and said, “At last, my husband will become attached to me because I have borne three sons for him.” Therefore he was named Levi.
35
And she conceived again, gave birth to a son, and said, “This time I will praise the Lord.” Therefore she named him Judah. Then Leah stopped having children.
🎙️ Lecture: The Story of Jacob, Laban, and the Beginning of the Twelve Tribes (Genesis 29)
Good morning, everyone. Today, we're delving into a pivotal passage from the book of Genesis, chapter 29, which details Jacob's journey to his uncle Laban and the complex, often dramatic, events that shaped his family and, ultimately, the nation of Israel.
I. Jacob Arrives in Haran (Verses 1–12)
Jacob, having left his home and his encounter at Bethel behind him, "picked up his feet" and continued his journey to the eastern country, the land of his mother's relatives.
The Well and the Shepherds: Jacob arrives at a well . He encounters shepherds gathered there, waiting to water their flocks. A large stone covered the well's opening, requiring a collective effort to remove it.
The Introduction of Rachel: Jacob asks the shepherds about his relatives, specifically Laban of Haran. They confirm they know him and, in a critical moment, say, "here is his daughter Rachel, coming with his sheep."
A Moment of Strength: Jacob suggests they water the flocks and continue grazing, but the shepherds insist on waiting for everyone. When Rachel arrives, Jacob, driven by the realization that this is his kinswoman, steps forward. He rolls the stone from the well's opening and waters Laban’s sheep—a feat of strength and an immediate act of service.
The Kinship Revealed: Following this, Jacob kisses Rachel and weeps loudly. He introduces himself, not merely as a traveler, but as her father's relative, Rebekah's son. Rachel immediately runs to tell her father, Laban.
II. Jacob's Service and Deception (Verses 13–30)
Laban, upon hearing the news, rushes out to meet Jacob, confirming the family bond: "Yes, you are my own flesh and blood." Jacob stays for a month, and Laban soon addresses the subject of payment.
The Bargain for Rachel: Laban asks Jacob what his wages should be, not wanting him to work for nothing. Jacob, having fallen in love, makes a direct proposal: "I’ll work for you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel."
Rachel is described as "shapely and beautiful."
Her older sister, Leah, is described as having "tender eyes" (often interpreted as soft, weak, or mild).
Seven Years Pass Quickly: Jacob’s love for Rachel was so strong that the seven years of service "seemed like only a few days to him."
The Wedding Feast and the Deception: When the seven years were complete, Jacob demanded his wife. Laban gathered all the men for a feast. That evening, however, Laban substitutes Leah for Rachel, and Jacob unwittingly sleeps with Leah. .
In the morning, Jacob confronts Laban: "Why have you deceived me?"
Laban justifies his actions by citing local custom: "It is not the custom in this place to give the younger daughter in marriage before the firstborn."
A Second Bargain: Laban offers to give Jacob Rachel as well, but only after Jacob completes Leah’s wedding week, followed by another seven years of service. Jacob agrees, and the two sisters, along with their respective maidservants (Zilpah to Leah, Bilhah to Rachel), become his wives.
The Unbalanced Love: Crucially, the text states: "he loved Rachel more than Leah." This sets the stage for the next section, one of intense domestic rivalry.
III. Jacob's Sons and Leah's Sorrow (Verses 31–35)
The conclusion of the chapter introduces the first four of Jacob's twelve sons, all born to Leah, as a result of divine intervention.
The Lord Intervenes: The Lord saw that Leah was unloved, and as an act of compassion, He opened her womb. Conversely, Rachel, the loved wife, was unable to conceive.
Leah's Sons and Their Names: The naming of these sons reflects Leah's profound sorrow and her desperate hope for her husband's love:
Reuben (meaning "See, a Son"): Named because "The Lord has seen my affliction; surely my husband will love me now."
Simeon (meaning "Hearing"): Named because "The Lord heard that I am unloved and has given me this son also."
Levi (meaning "Attached"): Named in the hope that "At last, my husband will become attached to me because I have borne three sons for him."
Judah (meaning "Praise"): Her fourth son marks a turning point. She says, "This time I will praise the Lord**."** For the first time, her focus shifts from seeking Jacob's love to offering praise to God.
Conclusion
This chapter is a profound study in divine sovereignty and human complexity. Jacob, the deceiver, is himself deceived by his uncle Laban. However, the story shifts from human manipulation to divine purpose as the rivalry between the two sisters drives the formation of Jacob's family. The names of Leah’s sons reveal a woman's deep emotional struggle, culminating in the name Judah—the son through whom the lineage of the Messiah will eventually come.
Are there any questions about the events in this chapter, or the dynamics between Jacob, Laban, Leah, and Rachel?
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