Jacob Labours for Laban
Jacob’s experiences with Laban illustrate themes of deception, rivalry, and the complexities of love and service in a lost world.
I. Jacob’s Wages Negotiated 29:15 – 24
- Jacob negotiates his wages with Laban, requesting Rachel in exchange for seven years of labour. (Vs 15-18)
- Laban agrees, seeing profit in the arrangement, but deceives Jacob by giving him Leah instead of Rachel. (Vs 19)
- Jacob’s love for Rachel makes the seven years feel short, prompting reflection on service for Christ. (Vs 20)
- Laban’s self-serving nature is evident as he disregards the agreement and uses his daughters for profit. (Vs 21-24)
II. Jacob’s Wages Changed 29:25 – 30
- Jacob discovers Laban’s deception and confronts him, feeling betrayed. (Vs 25-26)
- Laban excuses his actions by citing a supposed custom, revealing his manipulative nature.
- Jacob is forced to work another seven years for Rachel, leading to further complications in his family life. (Vs 27-30)
III. Jacob’s Wives Rivalry 29:31 – 30:24
- Leah, aware of Jacob’s preference for Rachel, tries to earn his favor by bearing him sons.
- Rachel, envious of Leah’s success, offers her handmaid Bilhah to Jacob to bear children.
- Leah responds by giving her handmaid Zilpah to Jacob, resulting in more children.
- Despite the rivalry and sin, God shows mercy by blessing both wives with children, including Rachel’s son Joseph.