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Youth Worship 26 February 2022 : "I will serve you seven years for Rachel”

Text: Genesis 29:15-30
26 February 2022

 

INTRODUCTION

1. Original intention of going to Haran

a) To look for a bride
b) From the family of Laban (brother of Rebekah)

2. On the way

a) God revealed Himself to Jacob
i) Ladder to heaven
ii) Promise of Protection and Provision
b) Response of Jacob to God
i) If God would do as He has promised
ii) Then Jacob’s faith in God would be confirmed

IN THE LAND OF HARAN

1. Living in the home of Laban

a) Laban received Jacob as “My bone and my flesh” Genesis 29:14a
b) Jacob was the house guest for a month Genesis 29:14b

2. Long-term Plan

a) Jacob had probably begun serving Laban
b) Discussion of Wages Genesis 29:15

3. Laban’s Family

a) He had two daughters
b) Leah was the elder daughter; she had delicate eyes Genesis 29:17a
c) Rachel was beautiful of form and appearance Genesis 29:17b

JACOB’S LOVE FOR RACHEL

1. Jacob’s Request

a) He will serve Laban for Seven Years
b) This was the price he was willing to pay to marry Rachel Genesis 29:18

2. Laban’s agreement

a) He would marry her off to someone, someday
b) He might as well give her to Jacob
c) He agreed Genesis 29:19

3. Seven years

a) Seven years is 2555 days
b) To Jacob
“They seemed only a few days to him
because of the love he had for her” Genesis 29:20

THE WEDDING FEAST

1. Jacob asked for Rachel’s hand

“Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled” Genesis 29:21

2. The Wedding feast

a) A wedding celebration was held
b) All the men came to the wedding feast Genesis 29:22

3. Leah was given to Jacob as his bride in the evening Genesis 29:23

4. Jacob discovered that his wife was Leah Genesis 29:25

CONFRONTING LABAN

1. Three questions were raised up to Laban

a) What?
“What is this you have done to me?” Genesis 29:25a
b) Was it not?
“Was it not for Rachel that I served you?” Genesis 29:25b
c) Why?
“Why then have you deceived me?” Genesis 29:25c

2. Laban’s Excuse and Bargain

26 And Laban said, “It must not be done so in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn.
27 Fulfill her week, and we will give you this one also for the service which you will serve with me still another seven years.”
28 Then Jacob did so and fulfilled her week. So he gave him his daughter Rachel as wife also. 29 And Laban gave his maid Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as a maid. 30 Then Jacob also went in to Rachel, and he also loved Rachel more than Leah. And he served with Laban still another seven years.

a) Culture of the country
The younger cannot marry before the firstborn
b) Fulfilment of the marriage week
Jacob must stay with Leah for the marriage week (honeymoon week)
c) Serving another seven years Genesis 29:27

JACOB’S ACCEPTANCE

28 Then Jacob did so and fulfilled her week. So he gave him his daughter Rachel as wife also.
29 And Laban gave his maid Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as a maid.
30 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 29:28-30

1. Jacob fulfilled his marriage week with Leah

2. He married Rachel a week later

3. He served another seven years for Rachel

CONCLUSION

1. Deceiving and Being Deceived

a) He now understood better what it means to be deceived
b) He had deceived Esau and his father Isaac without much thought about how they felt

2. His Faith in God

a) It had not been in the forefront
b) It had taken a back seat somehow

3. Lessons of Life and Faith

a) They had to be learned the hard way
b) God will patiently wait for Jacob to remember what he promised