What in the world do you do with this story? Its been an interesting challenge to work with one schemer who could be used by God? But what do you do with TWO of them?!?
Rebecca in MD
I think the passage is quite a challenge and my first impulse is to look at another scripture. Since I have been doing a series on Genesis, I have decided to tackle this particular passage. I wonder if we could consider Laban as a mirror for Jacob. In Laban's behavior, Jacob realizes who he really is. In any case God may be using this encounter as a "teachable" moment. In Jacob's encounter with Laban, he also learns that God is really with him and that he really will bless anyone with whom Jacob is associated. Jacob's trust of God may be strengthened through his encounter with Laban. It might be helpful to interpret the passage in the context of the larger passage of Genesis 29:1-31:55. I hope that this is helpful. Michael in Kansas
July 20, 1999 07:58:00
re: Michael in Ks:
Good musings on passage. I am sure, like Rebecca in MD that Jacob has been overmatched by Laban in the scheming ways which both knew so well. Jacob may have come to know the love and forgiveness of his brother, Esau, and thus, God's grace, but I think that you are right--Jacob has now met God--perhaps for the first time--but definitely not the last time. He has an encounter at the river Jabok still to come. Jaacob is on a life journey toward a new nation of God's people--Israel. Yes, Jacob is learning--about God, about himself, and about life as one of God's chosen...
We are all on this journey, and yes sometimes we are not always truthful, and yes, even deceiving, and often deceived by others--but God is faithful.
DF in KS
Was it Kirkegaard who said that God draws straight using crooked lines? The whole saga of the patriarchs, and not just Jacob's stealing the blessing and manipulating the birthright away from his brother, seems pretty crooked to me. Of course, we don't hear a lot of the more crooked bits i the lectionary, although I was pleased to see Hagar show up a few weeks ago.
We are all sinners and we all do stupid and wrong things from time to time. For me, the history of the patriarchs (and matriarchs, too) is that God is able to use them, in spite of their sinfulness, to accomplish God's purposes.
Heather
Just getting geared up to do research on this passage. I appreciate what each one of you has said so far. I wanted to tackle this difficult passage because of some things GOd has spoken not only to me but to an older member of one of my congregations about being a witness to God's love and grace rather than just sitting in our "own" little world- not certain how I am going to pull this into the Genesis passage- need to pray about it and finish my research. I hope and pray I will be able to get some if not all of my thoughts and wrestlings submitted for all of you before too long ( a day or so). Take care and God bless your sermon preparation this week! Rhowdy Rev Rhoda in MD
Here's a couple of early in the week thoughts. The old saying, "What goes around, comes around," is certainly on display here. Isn't it. Whatever you sow, that you will reap. I wonder how it feels to have the shoe on the other foot.
The epistle for this week talks about "everything works for good, for those that love the Lord." But I think we must ask ourselves, did everything work for good for Leah?
Just some early in the week musings from John in KY.
Maybe this is a sign that Jacob is slowly being changed. Here, it appears that Jacob begins to lose some of his self-absorption in his love for Rachel. He accepts being married to Leah (after protest) whose "eyes were weak" (lovely is a mistranslation, I think) which is probably not a compliment! Of course, you could point out that Laban does not allow the younger to supplant the older. Remember that Jacob, even though he gets Rachel as a wife after only another week, he still agrees to work another seven years. How many of us would work 14 years for the object of our affection. God, though God is not mentioned here, (to quote Luther, God is over,under, around, in , and through) is surely at work. Jacob show hesed, steadfast love for Rachel. Jacob is defeated by Laban, but in his defeat, he is somehow blessed. Could it be that we are being prepared for the scene at the Jabbok in next week's passage, where Jacob is blessed in his defeat. Maybe we should be more patient with Jacob , others, and ourselves. Like Jacob, we rae pieces of unfinished business, on our way to God knows where. Like Jacob, our becoming has to do with God. RevGilmer in Texarkana
Maybe this is a sign that Jacob is slowly being changed. Here, it appears that Jacob begins to lose some of his self-absorption in his love for Rachel. He accepts being married to Leah (after protest) whose "eyes were weak" (lovely is a mistranslation, I think) which is probably not a compliment! Of course, you could point out that Laban does not allow the younger to supplant the older. Remember that Jacob, even though he gets Rachel as a wife after only another week, he still agrees to work another seven years. How many of us would work 14 years for the object of our affection. God, though God is not mentioned here, (to quote Luther, God is over,under, around, in , and through) is surely at work. Jacob show hesed, steadfast love for Rachel. Jacob is defeated by Laban, but in his defeat, he is somehow blessed. Could it be that we are being prepared for the scene at the Jabbok in next week's passage, where Jacob is blessed in his defeat. Maybe we should be more patient with Jacob , others, and ourselves. Like Jacob, we rae pieces of unfinished business, on our way to God knows where. Like Jacob, our becoming has to do with God. RevGilmer in Texarkana
Did anyone note the difference in the relationship between Jacob and Rachel, and Isaac and Rebekah? Jacob himself goes seeking a wife. He sees her, and loves her from the beginning, with a steadfast passionate love working for 7 years before he gets her, and for 7 years afterward. Moreover, Jacob was no teenager, but almost a senior citizen (more than 40 certainly on the basis of 26:27, remember they were twins) when this happens. [What does that say about mature passion?] Abraham sent a servant to find Isaac a wife, and maybe he grew to love her, though they settled into a rivalry through the two sons. Leah has her reward in this, she bears 6 sons (30:20) and a daughter Dinah. Her maid Zilpah has 2 sons for Jacob (30:9-13). Rachel's maid has two sons (30:3-8). Rachel herself has Joseph, and later, gives her life in childbirth for Benjamin. Of sons, Leah has (with her maid) twice as many as does Rachel (with her maid). The double portion goes to the elder. (Of course Jacob's 11th son Joseph wlll get a double portion later (Manasseh and Ephraim are the only grand children to receive Jacob's direct blessing.)) Note well, Jacob wins out over Laban when it comes to the matter of his wages (30:30-43). Interesting light on the ways of God writing straight with crooked lines. R.J. in ND
This week's OT passage could sound just like a parable from this week's NT passage. The kingdom of heaven is like a man who falls deeply in love with a woman for whose hand he joyfully toils 14 years in her father's service. This Jacob is hardly different from the two folks in Mt 13:44, 45 who sell everything for their newfound treasures.
DeepSouth Steve cc. Gospel page
DeepSouth Steve: What a wonderous thought to ponder! Thank you for adding it to the forum! Risha - MI
You folks have been extremely helpful--thanks! I'm finishing up early to take a couple days off, but have enjoyed looking at the family of patriarchs and all their 'crookedness.' So much like our own families. In our local paper this week, there was a huge listing of family reunions coming up. And of course, the country, even the world, is caught up in the continuing saga/tragedy of the Kennedys. We romanticize/nostalgize (?) the idea of family but never get it just right. And yet, God used this Bible family to help bring about God's purposes. And God can work through us, even when we can't see it happening. Thank God!
Rebecca in MD
In our Bible study on this passage, we spent some time thinking about working for long range goals - like 7-14 year goals! It was interesting to hear people think about what they've longed for and been willing to work for over years and the disappointments they have faced along the way. David in Philly
just a quick thought that may be used as a sermon illustration with this story. It is from a small book of sayings called "Lights from the Chapel Window." It goes something like this-"The world says, 'You made your bed, now lay in it.' Jesus says, 'Take up your pallet and walk.' God's redemption of the scheming Jacob through the "crooked lines" of the likes of Laban is a powerful story. jhr.
I don't believe that we would see Laban getting the better of Jacob in this passage if Jacob had not changed - and he continues to change. Jacob's internal reactions have become eternally altered. This passage also reveals a two-fold proverb for all time: The world is not perfect and life is not fair. Yet, to the very end, God is faithful and loving. Our consumer-obsessed world desperately needs the message of Jacob and Laban. Many thanks to all for the great thoughts on this passage. Grace & Peace, Mark in Texas
This has been mentioned by earlier posters, but I am intrigued by the "what goes around comes around" nature of this passage. Jacob, the master trickster, and who disguised himself to deceive his father, is tricked by Laban, who disguises his daughter to deceive Jacob.
Furthermore, in both stories, there is a question of the rights or privileges of the eldest child. Esau, as the eldest, should have the birthright and the blessing, but Jacob tricks him out of both.
Laban is unwilling to give Rachel in marriage first, since she is the younger of the two sisters. Rather than be up front about that, however, he uses Jacob's on strategies against him.
The deception does not end here, of course. Rachel steals Labans "household God's" from Laban when Jacob & family leave Haran, and deceives her father (by claiming she is having her monthly period) to conceal them.
And, of course, the strife between Leah and Rachel is bitter, both because Jacob doesn't love Leah, and because Rachel is childless.
Deception and dysfunction breeds deception and disfunction. Yet at the same time, God is working in the midst of this very troubled family. Indeed, nothing can separate us from God's love for us, not even the dysfunctions of our families. What wonderful news!
In terms of Leah's "weak" or "lovely" eyes, the word in Hebrew is "rak," meaning "tender, delicate, soft." Which, I suppose, could be seen as either positive or negative. The Septuagint, however, translates the word as "astheneis," which means weak or ill. What exactly this means, no one seems to know, nor have I ever figured out why that detail is important, unless it is seen as an explanation for Jacob's preference for Rachel.
May God inspire us all tomorrow,
Lorinda in IA
I was thinking about the question raised concerning Leah and whether "all things work together for good" could apply to her. Her first son, Reuben, interceded for Joseph and in a real way saved the family by that act. Her third son, Levi, led to the priestly tribe. Also, Moses was from the tribe of Levi. Through her fourth son, Judah, of course came David, and ultimately Jesus. Where would we be without the marriage of Leah and Jacob? NGA in Iowa
Finally! I have decided, unfortunately for some of you, to sketch out my sermon on Genesis 29: 10-28 as follows: 1. Introduce sermon by using hard sayings such as "you make you bed, now lie in it," etc. 2. Use a modern story of Jacob's story relating it to our own adversity. 3. Give a brief background of Jacob's story and the traditions of his time. Plan to use Isaiah 48: 8b-11 as a bridge. 4. Discuss Jacob's adversity in light of God' plans for his life. 5. Finally, discuss how through adversity we learn more about ourselves and God's love for us.
I apologize for being delayed in posting my thoughts as promised. Hope someone can benefit anyway. Rhowdy Rev Rhoda in MD