JACOB SERVES FOR RACHEL

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Laban agreed to give Rachel to Jacob in exchange for seven years of service.

The years seemed to Jacob but a few days because of the love he had for her.

That is how it should be in our service for the Lord.

Genesis 29:18-22 KJV

[18] And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.

[19] And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me.

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

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

[22] And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast.

Genesis 29:18 KJV

And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.

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• A proposal of marriage is made to the father without the daughter being consulted, and the match is effected by the suitor either bestowing costly presents on the family, or by giving cattle to the value the father sets upon his daughter, or else by giving personal services for a specified period.
• The last was the course necessity imposed on Jacob; and there for seven years he submitted to the drudgery of a hired shepherd, with the view of obtaining Rachel.
• The time went rapidly away; for even severe and difficult duties become light when love is the spring of action.

Genesis 29:19 KJV

And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me.

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• Laban accepts that bargain.
• Now this next verse tells us one of the loveliest things that is said about Jacob.
• Frankly, in the early years of Jacob’s life, the only appearance of anything beautiful or fine or noble is his love for Rachel.

Genesis 29:20 KJV

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

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• You can just see this man working.
• I tell you, Uncle Laban had him working hard.
• He worked out in the cold, out in the rain and in all sorts of weather, but he always thought of that girl Rachel.
• There she was to meet him after a hard day.
• He was desperately in love with her.

Genesis 29:21 KJV

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

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• At the expiry of the stipulated term the marriage festivities were held.
• But an infamous fraud was practiced on Jacob, and on his showing a righteous indignation, the usage of the country was pleaded in excuse.
• No plea of kindred should ever be allowed to come in opposition to the claim of justice.
• But this is often overlooked by the selfish mind of man, and fashion or custom rules instead of the will of God.

This was what Laban did, as he said, “It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the first-born.” But, then, if that were the prevailing custom of society at Haran, he should have apprized his nephew of it at an early period in an honorable manner.

This, however, is too much the way with the people of the East still.

The duty of marrying an elder daughter before a younger, the tricks which parents take to get off an elder daughter that is plain or deformed and in which they are favored by the long bridal veil that entirely conceals her features all the wedding day, and the prolongation for a week of the marriage festivities among the greater sheiks, are accordant with the habits of the people in Arabia and Armenia in the present day.

Genesis 29:22 KJV

And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast.

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I hope that you have really enjoyed this post,

 

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