OceanSide church of Christ

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RACHEL AND LEAH

Genesis 29

Victor M. Eskew

 

I.          The title of Genesis 29

 

A.   Seven Short Years and Seven Long Years

B.   Jacob Gets Two Wives

C.   Rachel and Leah (Leah named 8 times and Rachel is named 16 times)

D.   Two Meet, Three Marry, One Has Four Sons

E.   He Got More than He Bargained For

F.    Fourteen Years of Jacob’s Life

 

II.        The Key Verse of Genesis 29:  Genesis 29:16-18a

 

And Laban had two daughters:  the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.  Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured.  And Jacob loved Rachel.

 

Why this text?  In these verses we have the descriptions of Jacob’s two wives.  We are also introduced to the truth that “Jacob loved Rachel…”

 

III.      The Outline of Genesis 29

 

i.             THE MEETING (Gen. 29:1-14)

ii.            THE MARRIAGES (Gen. 29:15-30)

iii.          THE MALES (Gen. 29:31-35)

 

IV.       The Lessons of Genesis 29

 

A.   Throughout time, man has had his daily routines that had to be accomplished (Gen. 29:2-3).

 

And he looked, and behold a well in the field, and, lo, there were three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks, and a great stone was upon the well’s mouth.  And thither were all the flocks gathered:  and they rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stone again upon the well’s mouth in his place.

 

B.   The providence of God is working in the life of Jacob. 

1.     At the well, there were individuals who knew Laban (Gen. 29:5).

2.    This was the well that Rachel came to on a regular basis (Gen. 29:6).

3.     Laban lovingly and graciously brought Jacob into his house (Gen. 29:13-14).

 

C.   Families remain closely tied together even after numerous years of separation and even if they have never met one another .

1.     Expression (Gen. 29:13).

 

And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sister’s son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him into his house…

 

2.    Explanation (Gen. 29:14)

 

And Laban said unto him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh…

 

D.   The laborer is worthy of his hire (Gen. 29:15).

 

And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou serve me for naught?  Tell me, what shall thy wages be?

 

E.   Most of the time the employer and the employee agree to a stipulated wage (gen. 29:15b).

 

…tell me, what shall thy wages be.

 

F.    Children within families will always be different (Gen. 29:17).

 

Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured.

 

G.   Love for and desire for something can make a high cost for that something seem like nothing (Gen. 29:20).

 

And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had for her.

 

H.   Employers should fulfill their obligations to their employees when the employees complete their responsibilities (Gen. 29:21).

 

And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her.

 

I.     Today we are told:  “Beware of the fine print.”  Jacob should have been warned:  “Beware of the customs of the day” (Gen. 29:25-26).

 

And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah:  and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me?  Did I not serve with thee for Rachel?  Wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?  And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn.

 

J.    When love is involved, we will often suffer wrong doing (Gen. 29:27, 30b).

 

Fulfill her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years…and served with him yet seven other years.

 

 

K.   In polygamous marriages, there are always potential problems that can develop (Gen. 29:30).

 

…and he love Rachel more than Leah.

 

L.   Women often have children with false ends in mind.

1.     Leah thought two of her children would turn Jacob’s affections to her.

a.    Reuben (Gen. 29:32)

 

…now therefore my husband will love me.

 

b.    Levi (Gen. 29:34)

 

…Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons.

 

2.    False ideas others have had:

a.    Having a baby will provide me with someone who loves me.

b.    I will have companionship.

c.    I will have someone who reminds me of the one I love.

d.    This child will cause him to stay with me.

 

M.  When Leah conceived and bore Judah, she had the proper reaction to children being born (Gen. 29:35).

 

And she conceived again, and bare a son:  and she said, Now will I praise the Lord…

 

N.   NOTE:  IT is interesting that the seed line of Jesus Christ will continue through Leah’s son, Judah, and not one of Rachel’s children.