Scripture to Read: Genesis 29:19-30
We know Laban got a month's worth of labor out of Jacob and never talked about a wage, which reveals a little about Laban's heart. Laban showed us that he was a user of people and would try to get the most for himself. Jacob declared his love for Rachel to Laban and would work seven years for Laban to have Rachel as his wife. Even though Jacob had come from great wealth, he had brought nothing with him. Every man had to offer a dowry for his “bride-to-be,” so Jacob’s dowry would be paid through his service. Seven years of labor, though, was over the top. But, Jacob loved Rachel so much, we can only guess that he offered to serve Laban for seven years so that Laban would not deny him Rachel’s hand in marriage. We also saw, yesterday, that Leah was described as so: “Leah's eyes were weak.” Leah was ordinary looking with an emphasis on her eyes. It’s not to say Leah was ugly; she just was not strikingly beautiful like Rachel. We know God never focuses on the outward appearance, which will be shown on Leah’s behalf a little later in God’s Word. In Genesis 29:19, we see that Laban agrees with Jacob’s proposal. Then we see in Genesis 29:20-30 that at the end of the seven years, Laban deceived Jacob and gave Jacob Leah as his wife and not Rachel. Jacob was deceived by Laban and then had to serve an additional seven years to get Rachel as his bride.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today about Laban and his deceptive heart?
2. How are you guarding your heart from falling into the trap of being a deceiver of anyone?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!