The Book of Genesis...the very first book of the Bible, is an old, old book. The book of Job is considered by numerous bible scholars as the oldest book of the ancient Scriptures, yet the book of Genesis is strong competition for the honor.
The book of Genesis traditionally credits Moses as the author, yet the writings itself claims no author, nor does the book of Genesis indicate when exactly it may have been written. It is said this book could have recorded events that happen over 3,500 years ago, and it was kind of a time that reminds me of watching a movie like "In the Days of Conan the Barbarian".
The problem I face when reading passages like these in Genesis is it is hard for me to understand the culture and customs of that era in history. It presents lifestyles that were quite different....multiple wives, cousins marrying one another, and the emphasis given to birthrights...much different than what we read of...even in New Testament writings of the Sacred Scripture. Yet, it is Sacred Scripture, and if you accept the fact "all Scripture is God-breathed", then there must be reasons for these various stories being written.
Genesis 29, verses 15 through 28 is an example where I have to research the background of this story and try to understand what is "written between the lines".
This particular passage in Genesis is one difficult to understand mainly due to the social and moral values that are quite different than those I have been taught today.
There are numerous people involved in this story, yet the 2 main characters are a man named Laban and and a man named Jacob.
The story lends itself to the fact both of these "guys" were full of trickery, deception, and lying, and had no problem being that way. Because of the fact these guys were relatives makes me realize how often we think "the various enemies" we face in life are "out there...somewhere", the truth is sometimes the most deceitful and treacherous people can be the very ones we call our family.
The other thing that is noticeable in this passage....God is not brought up, He is not conferred to in guidance, He is not sought in prayer, and the decisions made by the people within the passage does not indicate any "God influence" in what they chose to do.
These 2 men...Laban and Jacob, were 2 tricky and deceitful individuals who took aggressive measures in order to gain real estate, increase possessions, and above all...protect the "wallet"....even if it means taking advantage of their "own blood".
"Laban": Laban was the son of a man named Bethiel. Laban's father Bethiel, was the son of a man named Nachor. Nachor was the older brother of...Abraham....the very "father of both the Jewish and Christian faith"! Therefore, this makes Laban a great-nephew...of father Abraham.
Laban had a sister named Rebekah. Rebekah married Isaac, who was a son of Abraham (yea...a close-knit family).
"Jacob": Jacob was the son of Isaac and Rebekah (Laban's sister), and Jacob was a grandson of...Abraham.
Jacob had 12 sons...who later became the founders of what we know as "the 12 tribes of Israel." Jacob's most famous son was Joseph, who was born of Jacob and Rachel (Laban's daughter). Joseph was actually the 11th son of Jacob, who had sons by other women, and yet for Rachel, Joseph was her firstborn.
.....And so the story begins.....
Jacob has been sent to stay with his Uncle...Laban. The reason is Jacob had recently lied to his father Isaac and stole the birthright of his older brother Esau. Esau had some issues...particularly in reference to "Coram Deo"...a Latin phrase loosely translated "to live in the Presence of God". Esau did not live his life with this thought and gave no respect to being eligible for his birthright from his father Isaac. So, for a bowl of stew, through the influence of Jacob's mother Rebekah (Laban's sister)...Jacob was able to obtain the birthright.
As a result, Rebekah now instructs her son Jacob to leave their home and go live with her brother Laban...because when Esau considers the seriousness of what he did...he might just kill Jacob. When Jacob leaves, Isaac his father tells Jacob to "check out" the daughters of Laban...he might want to consider one for a wife. {Note: Marrying cousins seemed to be a common practice during time period...even often preferred. In fact, numerous cultures forbid an eldest daughter from marrying...outside the family. The books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy later defines endogamous marriages (marriage of relatives), yet during this time period marrying cousins was perfectly acceptable.}
What we are made aware of through the story here in Genesis is both Jacob and Laban were known to be tricky and quite deceitful...particularly in reference to land, possessions, and money.
A Gleaning from Genesis 29: 15-28
" Then Laban said to Jacob: "You are family!...my very flesh and blood! ( immediately you sense that if you were Jacob...this was a definite "Red Flag"). You have been my guest for a month...and just because you are my nephew, does not mean you will work for me for nothing!" ( Red Flag #2: what Laban was more than likely meaning was " Look Jacob, you have been sent here to hide out from your brother Esau and have an opportunity to be my apprentice in learning how to be successful....does not mean you get a "free ride". If I am going to support you, I'm going to get some work out of you.") So...Laban continues..." Tell me, what is a fair wage to you?" ( This also has a rather comical side to it because later in Genesis it writes how Laban did not always honor the wage agreement.)
Now, Laban had 2 daughters...an older daughter named Leah, and a younger one named Rachel. Leah had nice eyes ( some translations read "weak eyes"...but I do not think it is referring to some type of vision impairment, rather it was more about her looks), yet Rachel was absolutely stunning, beautiful in both her eyes and her figure.
As a result, Jacob fell in love with Rachel...love at first sight (recorded in another passage in Genesis), and approached his Uncle Laban and said: "If I may work for you for ...7 years, I would like to have Rachel given to me as my wife." (Jacob too saw a real advantage staying with Uncle Laban...get paid, learn a career as an apprentice, stay protected from Esau, and get a "hot" wife...life is good!).
Laban replied: "Agreed! I'd rather give her to you...than to someone I don't even know!" ( Red Flag #3...Laban is way too quick to agree!) So, Jacob was true to his word and worked for Laban for a total of 7 years.
After 7 years of employment to Laban, Jacob spoke and said to Laban (notice Jacob brought this matter up...not Laban) and said: " I have fulfilled my agreement with you, my time as now come...to have Rachel as my wife."
So, Laban prepared the wedding ceremony ( Red Flag #4... Laban didn't contest the timing of it whatsoever) and invited all in the surrounding area to a "wedding feast with much celebration". ( In my "neck of the woods" this means a great party reception with...an open bar...lol).
On the last day of the wedding feast (in those days it wasn't unusual for a wedding and aftermath to last a week), as it went into the late evening hours, the time had come for Jacob to retire to his marriage bed. As was the custom, the father of the bride (Laban) escorted his daughter to the doorstep of Jacob...BUT... something has drastically changed. Instead of Laban bringing Rachel to Jacob, Laban brought his oldest daughter Leah. Leah was also accompanied by a maid given to her by her father whose name was Zilpah.
( Ok...much has been written about this by many, many bible historians. The question is...and still remains today: How in the world did this happen? Was Jacob drunk? Did Leah not speak? Was Leah and Rachel in "cahoots" with their father Laban on tricking Jacob? Jacob if in a drunken state could not recognize the scent of her hair?...or the touch of her hands? The custom of that day was the bride was to wear a rather heavy veil until she reach the marriage bed...yet...Jacob had no clue? Maybe it was pitch black and Jacob couldn't see? Who knows? The bible is silent. What we do know is Jacob was unable to distinguish Leah...from Rachel.)
Jacob then slept that night...with Leah...not Rachel!
So, Jacob approached Laban soon afterward, and said: " The agreement was...I work for 7 years and I was to have RACHEL as my wife. That is not Rachel...in my bed! So...did we have a communication breakdown somewhere? Did we fail to understand one another?...or is it what I think it is: you deceived and cheated me of all I have worked for...and I trusted you in this!"
{Note: This to me is the heart of the message...people get hurt. Imagine Leah, knowing Jacob's feeling toward Rachel, most likely hearing Rachel's name spoke during her wedding nigh...maybe Leah thought if she bore Jacob children...he would learn to love her...or Rachel knowing Leah was enjoying the man she loved...and Jacob...getting a first hand experience on being abused by such a treacherous act. Some historians think that Jacob was obsessed with Rachel...and was simply blind to the fact Laban would pull off something that would be harmful...to his own daughters. It had to be a devastating blow to all parties concerned. Dr. Tim Keller, a noted bible theologian wrote on the dangers of replacing God in your heart for an almost obsessive love for an individual. He writes: "When you long for Rachel to fulfill you more than God, you will always wake up with a Leah." This is not to be inconsiderate of Leah...rather...becoming obsessed with someone does not mean you love them more. Regardless, deceit and treachery can seem advantageous at the moment, yet we must remember...it's a selfish act and hurts others....some...for the rest of their lives.}
Laban then replies: "Jacob! I thought you knew this! ( Red Flag #5). In my country, we are required by custom (some ancient tribal customs required it by law) to marry off the oldest daughter first...BEFORE I can give away my younger daughter. Yet, I tell you what...go ahead and enjoy the rest of your honeymoon week, and next week...I will give you Rachel...to be your bride! (sad to think he gave no thought to his own daughters feelings or self-esteem. Later in Genesis the bitterness toward their father is recorded...this treacherous act by Laban most likely caused permanent damage...to his very own family.) But wait...one more thing! Since you will have both of my daughters for your wives...in only the 7 years of service we had agreed upon, you will have to work for me...another 7 years for the rights to both my daughters." (and here lies the real motive behind sacrificing his own family...selfish greed.).
So, Jacob agreed...and Jacob did receive Rachel as his wife the next week...and worked for Laban...another 7 years."
Note: This is a sad story full of drama, hurts, and selfishness. The damage done is devastating, and although we may never know all the details of what really went on here, it speaks to my heart the importance of having empathy for our loved ones...and be of a generous heart when they come to you for help.
After approximately 20 years of Jacob and Laban being together, they reached a time when the trickery and deceitfulness had been long enough...and it was time to split up. Well, actually Jacob left unannounced yet because Rachel had taken some things that belonged to her father Laban, Laban had to pursue and catch up with them to get his things back and it was here they said farewell.
In Christian liturgical services, there are benedictions given at the end of each service. It can vary as to the matter of benedictions given, yet there is one commonly used. It goes "May the Lord watch between you and me, while we are absent...one from the other."
This particular benediction is also found in the book of Genesis...Genesis 31:49. Who said it?...Laban.
As Jacob left Laban with his possessions and both of Laban's daughters, he spoke these words because he could not see or know what Jacob may be up to...the possibility of selling his daughters or seeking any revenge on Laban himself for how he had tricked Jacob through the years. So, Laban calls upon the Lord and says: "May the Lord watch between us (buddy...because I won't know what you may be up to)...while we are absent...one from another."
There are no records that indicate Laban and Jacob...ever saw one another...again.
The book of Genesis traditionally credits Moses as the author, yet the writings itself claims no author, nor does the book of Genesis indicate when exactly it may have been written. It is said this book could have recorded events that happen over 3,500 years ago, and it was kind of a time that reminds me of watching a movie like "In the Days of Conan the Barbarian".
The problem I face when reading passages like these in Genesis is it is hard for me to understand the culture and customs of that era in history. It presents lifestyles that were quite different....multiple wives, cousins marrying one another, and the emphasis given to birthrights...much different than what we read of...even in New Testament writings of the Sacred Scripture. Yet, it is Sacred Scripture, and if you accept the fact "all Scripture is God-breathed", then there must be reasons for these various stories being written.
Genesis 29, verses 15 through 28 is an example where I have to research the background of this story and try to understand what is "written between the lines".
This particular passage in Genesis is one difficult to understand mainly due to the social and moral values that are quite different than those I have been taught today.
There are numerous people involved in this story, yet the 2 main characters are a man named Laban and and a man named Jacob.
The other thing that is noticeable in this passage....God is not brought up, He is not conferred to in guidance, He is not sought in prayer, and the decisions made by the people within the passage does not indicate any "God influence" in what they chose to do.
These 2 men...Laban and Jacob, were 2 tricky and deceitful individuals who took aggressive measures in order to gain real estate, increase possessions, and above all...protect the "wallet"....even if it means taking advantage of their "own blood".
"Laban": Laban was the son of a man named Bethiel. Laban's father Bethiel, was the son of a man named Nachor. Nachor was the older brother of...Abraham....the very "father of both the Jewish and Christian faith"! Therefore, this makes Laban a great-nephew...of father Abraham.
Laban had a sister named Rebekah. Rebekah married Isaac, who was a son of Abraham (yea...a close-knit family).
"Jacob": Jacob was the son of Isaac and Rebekah (Laban's sister), and Jacob was a grandson of...Abraham.
Jacob had 12 sons...who later became the founders of what we know as "the 12 tribes of Israel." Jacob's most famous son was Joseph, who was born of Jacob and Rachel (Laban's daughter). Joseph was actually the 11th son of Jacob, who had sons by other women, and yet for Rachel, Joseph was her firstborn.
.....And so the story begins.....
Jacob has been sent to stay with his Uncle...Laban. The reason is Jacob had recently lied to his father Isaac and stole the birthright of his older brother Esau. Esau had some issues...particularly in reference to "Coram Deo"...a Latin phrase loosely translated "to live in the Presence of God". Esau did not live his life with this thought and gave no respect to being eligible for his birthright from his father Isaac. So, for a bowl of stew, through the influence of Jacob's mother Rebekah (Laban's sister)...Jacob was able to obtain the birthright.
As a result, Rebekah now instructs her son Jacob to leave their home and go live with her brother Laban...because when Esau considers the seriousness of what he did...he might just kill Jacob. When Jacob leaves, Isaac his father tells Jacob to "check out" the daughters of Laban...he might want to consider one for a wife. {Note: Marrying cousins seemed to be a common practice during time period...even often preferred. In fact, numerous cultures forbid an eldest daughter from marrying...outside the family. The books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy later defines endogamous marriages (marriage of relatives), yet during this time period marrying cousins was perfectly acceptable.}
What we are made aware of through the story here in Genesis is both Jacob and Laban were known to be tricky and quite deceitful...particularly in reference to land, possessions, and money.
A Gleaning from Genesis 29: 15-28
" Then Laban said to Jacob: "You are family!...my very flesh and blood! ( immediately you sense that if you were Jacob...this was a definite "Red Flag"). You have been my guest for a month...and just because you are my nephew, does not mean you will work for me for nothing!" ( Red Flag #2: what Laban was more than likely meaning was " Look Jacob, you have been sent here to hide out from your brother Esau and have an opportunity to be my apprentice in learning how to be successful....does not mean you get a "free ride". If I am going to support you, I'm going to get some work out of you.") So...Laban continues..." Tell me, what is a fair wage to you?" ( This also has a rather comical side to it because later in Genesis it writes how Laban did not always honor the wage agreement.)
Now, Laban had 2 daughters...an older daughter named Leah, and a younger one named Rachel. Leah had nice eyes ( some translations read "weak eyes"...but I do not think it is referring to some type of vision impairment, rather it was more about her looks), yet Rachel was absolutely stunning, beautiful in both her eyes and her figure.
As a result, Jacob fell in love with Rachel...love at first sight (recorded in another passage in Genesis), and approached his Uncle Laban and said: "If I may work for you for ...7 years, I would like to have Rachel given to me as my wife." (Jacob too saw a real advantage staying with Uncle Laban...get paid, learn a career as an apprentice, stay protected from Esau, and get a "hot" wife...life is good!).
Laban replied: "Agreed! I'd rather give her to you...than to someone I don't even know!" ( Red Flag #3...Laban is way too quick to agree!) So, Jacob was true to his word and worked for Laban for a total of 7 years.
After 7 years of employment to Laban, Jacob spoke and said to Laban (notice Jacob brought this matter up...not Laban) and said: " I have fulfilled my agreement with you, my time as now come...to have Rachel as my wife."
So, Laban prepared the wedding ceremony ( Red Flag #4... Laban didn't contest the timing of it whatsoever) and invited all in the surrounding area to a "wedding feast with much celebration". ( In my "neck of the woods" this means a great party reception with...an open bar...lol).
On the last day of the wedding feast (in those days it wasn't unusual for a wedding and aftermath to last a week), as it went into the late evening hours, the time had come for Jacob to retire to his marriage bed. As was the custom, the father of the bride (Laban) escorted his daughter to the doorstep of Jacob...BUT... something has drastically changed. Instead of Laban bringing Rachel to Jacob, Laban brought his oldest daughter Leah. Leah was also accompanied by a maid given to her by her father whose name was Zilpah.
( Ok...much has been written about this by many, many bible historians. The question is...and still remains today: How in the world did this happen? Was Jacob drunk? Did Leah not speak? Was Leah and Rachel in "cahoots" with their father Laban on tricking Jacob? Jacob if in a drunken state could not recognize the scent of her hair?...or the touch of her hands? The custom of that day was the bride was to wear a rather heavy veil until she reach the marriage bed...yet...Jacob had no clue? Maybe it was pitch black and Jacob couldn't see? Who knows? The bible is silent. What we do know is Jacob was unable to distinguish Leah...from Rachel.)
Jacob then slept that night...with Leah...not Rachel!
So, Jacob approached Laban soon afterward, and said: " The agreement was...I work for 7 years and I was to have RACHEL as my wife. That is not Rachel...in my bed! So...did we have a communication breakdown somewhere? Did we fail to understand one another?...or is it what I think it is: you deceived and cheated me of all I have worked for...and I trusted you in this!"
{Note: This to me is the heart of the message...people get hurt. Imagine Leah, knowing Jacob's feeling toward Rachel, most likely hearing Rachel's name spoke during her wedding nigh...maybe Leah thought if she bore Jacob children...he would learn to love her...or Rachel knowing Leah was enjoying the man she loved...and Jacob...getting a first hand experience on being abused by such a treacherous act. Some historians think that Jacob was obsessed with Rachel...and was simply blind to the fact Laban would pull off something that would be harmful...to his own daughters. It had to be a devastating blow to all parties concerned. Dr. Tim Keller, a noted bible theologian wrote on the dangers of replacing God in your heart for an almost obsessive love for an individual. He writes: "When you long for Rachel to fulfill you more than God, you will always wake up with a Leah." This is not to be inconsiderate of Leah...rather...becoming obsessed with someone does not mean you love them more. Regardless, deceit and treachery can seem advantageous at the moment, yet we must remember...it's a selfish act and hurts others....some...for the rest of their lives.}
Laban then replies: "Jacob! I thought you knew this! ( Red Flag #5). In my country, we are required by custom (some ancient tribal customs required it by law) to marry off the oldest daughter first...BEFORE I can give away my younger daughter. Yet, I tell you what...go ahead and enjoy the rest of your honeymoon week, and next week...I will give you Rachel...to be your bride! (sad to think he gave no thought to his own daughters feelings or self-esteem. Later in Genesis the bitterness toward their father is recorded...this treacherous act by Laban most likely caused permanent damage...to his very own family.) But wait...one more thing! Since you will have both of my daughters for your wives...in only the 7 years of service we had agreed upon, you will have to work for me...another 7 years for the rights to both my daughters." (and here lies the real motive behind sacrificing his own family...selfish greed.).
So, Jacob agreed...and Jacob did receive Rachel as his wife the next week...and worked for Laban...another 7 years."
Note: This is a sad story full of drama, hurts, and selfishness. The damage done is devastating, and although we may never know all the details of what really went on here, it speaks to my heart the importance of having empathy for our loved ones...and be of a generous heart when they come to you for help.
After approximately 20 years of Jacob and Laban being together, they reached a time when the trickery and deceitfulness had been long enough...and it was time to split up. Well, actually Jacob left unannounced yet because Rachel had taken some things that belonged to her father Laban, Laban had to pursue and catch up with them to get his things back and it was here they said farewell.
In Christian liturgical services, there are benedictions given at the end of each service. It can vary as to the matter of benedictions given, yet there is one commonly used. It goes "May the Lord watch between you and me, while we are absent...one from the other."
This particular benediction is also found in the book of Genesis...Genesis 31:49. Who said it?...Laban.
As Jacob left Laban with his possessions and both of Laban's daughters, he spoke these words because he could not see or know what Jacob may be up to...the possibility of selling his daughters or seeking any revenge on Laban himself for how he had tricked Jacob through the years. So, Laban calls upon the Lord and says: "May the Lord watch between us (buddy...because I won't know what you may be up to)...while we are absent...one from another."
There are no records that indicate Laban and Jacob...ever saw one another...again.
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