August 7th, 2013
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Out of Control

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Opening Prayer

Lord, there is so much waiting in life, so much unfulfilled. I wait now before You in anticipation and hope.

Read Genesis 29:14-30

[14] Then Laban said to him, “You are my own flesh and blood.” After Jacob had stayed with him for a whole month, [15] Laban said to him, “Just because you are a relative of mine, should you work for me for nothing? Tell me what your wages should be.” [16] Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. [17] Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel had a lovely figure and was beautiful. [18] Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, “I’ll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.” [19] Laban said, “It’s better that I give her to you than to some other man. Stay here with me.” [20] So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her. [21] Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife. My time is completed, and I want to make love to her.” [22] So Laban brought together all the people of the place and gave a feast. [23] But when evening came, he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob, and Jacob made love to her. [24] And Laban gave his servant Zilpah to his daughter as her attendant. [25] When morning came, there was Leah! So Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? I served you for Rachel, didn’t I? Why have you deceived me?” [26] Laban replied, “It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older one. [27] Finish this daughter’s bridal week; then we will give you the younger one also, in return for another seven years of work.” [28] And Jacob did so. He finished the week with Leah, and then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife. [29] Laban gave his servant Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her attendant. [30] Jacob made love to Rachel also, and his love for Rachel was greater than his love for Leah. And he worked for Laban another seven years.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Meditate

Recall a situation where you were at the mercy of someone else’s decisions or actions. Reflect on the feelings that arise in you.

Think Further

The irony in the story of Jacob’s courtship and marriages is hard to miss. As someone who has tricked what he wants out of others, Jacob is now on the receiving end of Laban’s deception, which is neatly summed up in six words: “When morning came, there was Leah!” (25). The Hebrew words used for Jacob’s earlier deception and Laban’s have the same root, but the tables are turned. As with many Bible stories, the account says very little about how the participants felt about what happened, or how the deception was accomplished. Seven years’ work; a couple in love; the day arrives; the wrong daughter for a bride. Anger, bitterness, hatred, jealousy must all have been in the mix of emotions surrounding them. So how was Rachel withheld from Jacob? Was force involved? Even though Leah would probably have worn a veil, how did Jacob not notice she wasn’t the girl he’d worked for? Laban excuses himself with reference to custom and with the promise of Rachel in a week’s time, but the eventual rift between them begins here.

While there is some similarity to the marriage practices of the time, there are also differences. It was normal for the parents to arrange marriage for their children; they may have been consulted, but it was more important that the parents agreed it should take place. Financial consideration was also important: the groom’s family would pay a bride price, and the bride would receive a dowry to bring to her husband. In this case, however, Jacob and Rachel fall in love and Jacob’s parents, while agreeing he should find a wife from among relatives, are not there to arrange or negotiate anything. Thus, while Jacob eventually pays the bride price with fourteen years of work, he has to create Rachel’s and Leah’s dowries himself.

Apply

What was your response to the situation you recalled above? Ask God for grace and wisdom to live faithfully in such challenging times.

Closing prayer

Father, deep down I know it is uncomfortable for me to be at the mercy of someone else. In those times, help me to trust in Your leading and care.

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