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Daily Devotions

Genesis

Genesis 
Day 
Day 220

"But the Lord has been my defence, And my God the rock of my refuge." Psalm 94:22

Text: Genesis 29:1-35

ANOTHER SEVEN YEARS OF LABOUR

Out of love for Rachel, Jacob undertook the task of serving his father-in-law for another seven years! He served for fourteen full years without receiving a salary for his work! Jacob, the heel grabber, had his own heels well and truly grabbed by another person, a past master of deception, whom he had to address as his father-in-law.

“And Laban gave his maid Bilhah to his daughter Rachel
as a maid. Then Jacob also went in to Rachel, and he also
loved Rachel more than Leah. And he served with Laban still
another seven years.”

GENESIS 29:29-30

Jacob probably had occasion to recall how he had cheated his brother on at least two occasions. Was it poetic justice that had taken place that he should experience being cheated twice too? Did he hope to return to see his mother soon? Those plans were dashed to the ground now!


LEARNING VITAL LESSONS CONCERNING MARRIAGE DUTIES

Jacob was at last married to Rachel. His heart was happy that he had realized his dream of marrying the girl he loved. However, he had to learn an important fact. He had Leah as wife too! He could not neglect her in favor of Rachel. The Lord would have preferred that Jacob had only Rachel to care for. However, since Leah was also his wife, God had to help Jacob learn an important lesson. He had seen how through the problem of favouritism, he and his twin brother had grown apart. He must not repeat that same mistake! But Jacob had the same problem as his parents!

“When the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb;
but Rachel was barren. So Leah conceived and bore a son, and
she called his name Reuben; for she said, ‘The Lord has surely
looked on my affliction. Now therefore, my husband will
love me.'”

GENESIS 29:31-32

Inability to See God’s Sovereign Hand

Jacob could not see that God had allowed this set of circumstances to take place. He probably continued to resent Laban for tricking him into marrying Leah. He chose to ignore Leah after marrying Rachel. He had to learn a simple but important fact. Two wrongs did not make a right. He should not have neglected Leah. That was cruel!

The Birth of the Firstborn – Reuben

Leah hardly saw Jacob. It is likely that she conceived during the wedding week she had with Jacob. Rachel on the other hand had Jacob most of the time, but she could not conceive at all. If Jacob would but take time to think carefully, he would have recalled his parents’ explanation of how the Lord was personally involved in the matter of granting children! “Reuben” was Leah’s name for her firstborn. It meant, ‘Look, a son!” Would Jacob be able to appreciate her better now?