0730 Reflection -- Genesis 29:15-28

Upcoming Sunday Old Testament Readings

Sunday 30 July 2017

Genesis 29:15-28

Laban said to Jacob, “Because you are my kinsman, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what shall your wages be?” Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah’s eyes were lovely, and Rachel was graceful and beautiful. Jacob loved Rachel; so he said, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.” Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to any other man; stay with me.” So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her. Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife that I may go in to her, for my time is completed.” So Laban gathered together all the people of the place, and made a feast. But in the evening he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob; and he went in to her. (Laban gave his maid Zilpah to his daughter Leah to be her maid.) When morning came, it was Leah! And Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Did I not serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?” Laban said, “This is not done in our country — giving the younger before the firstborn. Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also in return for serving me another seven years.” Jacob did so, and completed her week; then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel as a wife.

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This is an interesting reading to be sure.  I touched on this today (Sunday 23 July) so I won’t go there again.  It is interesting to see how Jacob gets tricked, especially when in reading this we recall how Jacob previously tricked his brother with the assistance and at the direction of his mother.  I also find it interesting that Jacob spends the whole night with his new wife before realizing that it is not whom he thought was given to him as a wife.  I’m not sure there is anything in that which preaches well.  It is nevertheless interesting to note.

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Father Timothy Alleman