Just when you think Jacob's life couldn't get any more complicated or messier it does exactly that. Jacob has spent seven years working for his uncle Laban in order to marry his beautiful daughter Rachel. Laban however proves to be at least Jacob' equal when it comes to deceptive scheming. The morning after his wedding Jacob wakes up to discover that it is Laban's eldest daughter Leah he has married instead of Rachel. Jacob then agrees to work for Laban for another seven years in exchange for the right to also marry Rachel.
Not through his own design Jacob now finds himself with two wives and a very unhappy home. Our passage today reads like a Biblical soap opera, it is filled with jealously, anger and resentment and it is hard to keep up with who is sleeping with who at any particular time.
What does such an unedifying spectacle as Jacob's complicated living and sleeping arrangements have to say to twenty first century disciples of Jesus Christ?
Main Points
- The People God Helps - The Compassion of God
- The Pleas God Hears - The Grace of God
- The Promise God Fulfils - The Faithfulness of God