027. Jacob--Love for Rachel

Jacob--Love for Rachel

Gen 29:20. And Jacob served seven years for Rachel: and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her. The great Author of our nature has wisely and wonderfully adapted the various objects which successively solicit our attention and engage our pursuit, to the different periods of our life, the different and successive affections of our heart, the different stations which we have to occupy, and the duties which we are bound to perform. Human life, in so far as nature predominates over it, does not consist of violent and sudden transitions, but of calm, gentle, imperceptible changes: like the gradual progress of the day, from the morning dawn to meridian splendor; and thence gradually back again, to the glimmering twilight of the evening, and the shades of night. We emerge not at once from infancy into manhood; we sink not in a moment from manhood into old age. We grow, and we decline, without perceiving any alteration. Betwixt the giddiness and inconsideration of childhood, and the serious cares and employments of mature age, there is a middle and an important stage of life, which connects the two. And there is a passion happily suited to it, which contains and unites the spirit of both; a passion which blends the vivacity and impetuosity of the boy with the gravity and thoughtfulness of the man: that noble, generous passion, which the great God has implanted in our nature, to attract, unite, and bless mankind; and which, therefore, the pen of inspiration has not disdained, in its own inimitable manner, to describe. It was this passion which speedily compensated to Jacob the loss of his father’s house, and the pains of a tedious journey; which sweetened and shortened seven long years of hard and mortifying servitude; but which, at the same time, anticipated both the cares and the delights of future life.

Jacob, cheered and supported by the recollection of his vision at Bethel, and animated with the hope of a happy meeting with his friends and relations at Padan-Aram, goes on his way rejoicing; and, guided, protected, and sustained by an indulgent Providence, he arrives in safety. It was that simple, innocent and happy age of the world, when the chief occupations and enjoyments of human nature were seen in the shepherd’s life; while, as yet, gold had not settled the price of every other production of the natural world, nor determined the importance of all intellectual endowments: while as yet, commerce had not opened her ten thousand channels of luxury, to enervate, corrupt, and destroy mankind. His conversation with the shepherds of Haran[*]Gen 24:1-8 must always afford exquisite delight to those, whose taste, undebauched by the frippery of modern manners, and the affectation of ceremony and compliment, can relish the honest simplicity of nature, and the genuine expression of unaffected, unsophisticated kindness and benevolence. From them he has the pleasure of hearing that his kinsman Laban lived in the neighborhood, and was in health; and that his daughter Rachel was every moment expected to come to the watering-place, with her father’s flock. While they are yet speaking, Rachel, beautiful as the opening spring, and innocent as the lambs she tended, draws nigh with her fleecy charge. With what admirable propriety and skill do the holy Scriptures represent the most distinguished, exalted, and amiable female characters, engaged in virtuous, humble, useful employments! Sarah, baking cakes upon the hearth, for the entertainment of her husband’s guest; Rebekah, drawing water for the daily use of her brother’s family, and the refreshment of the weary traveler; and Rachel feeding her father’s sheep. O that ye knew, my fair friends, wherein your true dignity, value, and importance consisted! They consist in being what God from the beginning intended you to be, “an help meet for man;” not the mere instrument of his pleasure, nor the silly idol of his adoration.

Jacob, with the ardor natural to a manly spirit, and the zeal of an affectionate relation, runs up to salute and assist his fair kinswoman. Little offices of civility are the natural expression of a good and honest heart; they often suggest the first sentiments of love, both to those who confer, and to those who receive them; and they keep love alive after it is kindled. The meeting of that day, and Jacob’s natural, easy, officious gallantry, in relieving Rachel, on their very first encounter, of the heaviest part of her pastoral task, inspired, I doubt not, emotions very different from those which the mere force of blood produces; and were, I am sure, recollected by both, with inexpressible satisfaction, many a time afterward. And little do I know of the female heart, if it would not much rather be wooed with the attentions and assiduities of an agreeable man, than by the prudent and disgusting formalities of settlements, and deeds, and reversions. Rebekah was courted by proxy, with presents and promises; Rachel, by her destined husband in person, with the looks and the language, and the service of love. Betwixt the union of Isaac and Rebekah, that match of interest and prudence, no obstacle, except the trifling distance of place, interposed; but many difficulties occurred to retard, to prevent, and to mar the union of Jacob and Rachel, founded in esteem and prompted by affection. They become insensibly attached to each other. For love does not give the first warning of his approach to the parties themselves. But it did not long escape the penetrating selfish eye of the crafty father and uncle; who, from the moment he observes this growing passion in his nephew and daughter, casts about how best to convert it to his own advantage.

Jacob had frankly told him his whole situation, and laid open all his heart. He informed him, that he had indeed purchased the birthright, and obtained the prophetic blessing; but that through fear of his brother he had been constrained to flee from home, and to seek protection in Syria. This was, by no means, a situation likely to engage the attention and to procure the kindness of a worldly mind. An empty, nominal birthright, and a blessing which promised only distant wealth, were very slender possessions, in the eye of covetous Laban. He could not help comparing the splendid retinue of Eleazer, seeking a wife for his master’s son, with the simple appearance of Jacob, come a courting to his family with only a staff in his hand; and he finds it greatly to the disadvantage of the latter. But it is the interest of avarice to put on at least the appearance of that justice which it secretly dreads and hates, if not of that generosity which it despises. Jacob had, unsolicited, and without a stipulation, hitherto rendered Laban his best services for nothing. Indeed he was thinking of but one thing in the world, and that was, how to render himself agreeable to his amiable cousin. When, therefore, Laban, who must clearly have foreseen the answer, under an affected regard to the interest of his relation, inquires into and proposes the condition of his future services, he without hesitation mentions a marriage with his younger daughter. And, having no marriage portion to give the father, as the custom of the times and of the country required, he offers, as an equivalent, seven years personal servitude and labor. What is loss of ease, loss of liberty, loss of life, to love? When I behold Jacob, at such a price, ready and happy to purchase the object of his affection, whether shall I pity or contemn the cold, timid, selfish hearts of the young men of the present generation, who persist in the neglect of nature’s clearest, plainest law, from, I know not what, pretended reasons of caution and wisdom, which would fain pass for virtue; but are in reality the offspring of pride and luxury, pusillanimity and self-love. The proposal is no sooner made than accepted. And Laban has the satisfaction of at once betrothing his daughter to wealthy Isaac’s son and heir, and of securing for himself the present emolument of Jacob’s labor, care and fidelity for seven good years. Thus, the rights of humanity, the laws of hospitality, and the ties of blood, are all made basely to yield weakly to the most sordid and detestable of all human passions. And behold the freeborn grandson of Abraham sinks into abject servitude, and, the worst of all servitude, subjection to a near relation.

But, as every blessing of life has its corresponding inconvenience, so every evil has its antidote. Jacob is contented and happy, while his pains and fatigue are alleviated by the conversation of his beloved Rachel; and, what is it to him, that the stern, discontented father frowns and chides, so long as the beautiful daughter receives him with complacency and smiles! He bears with patience and cheerfulness the ardor of the meridian sun, and the cold chilling damps of the evening, in the hope of that blest hour, when tender sympathy shall sooth his distresses, and every uneasiness shall be lulled to rest, in the bosom of love. In this sweet commerce, the years of slavery glide imperceptibly away: and what absence would have rendered insupportably long, the presence of the beloved object has shortened into the appearance of a few days. Such is the inconceivable charm of virtuous love. “Jacob served seven years for Rachel: and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.”[*]Gen 24:20

Jacob, having faithfully fulfilled his part of the covenant, now calls on Laban to fulfill what was incumbent upon him. The better to conceal the fraud which he was meditating, he feigns compliance: and, believing, Jacob is amused with all the usual apparatus of a marriage feast. In conformity to the custom of those eastern nations, the bride was conducted to the bed of her husband, with silence, in darkness, and covered from head to foot with a veil; circumstances, all of them favorable to the wicked, selfish plan, which Laban had formed, to detain his son-in-law longer in his service. Leah is accordingly substituted in room of her sister. And he who by subtilty and falsehood stole away the blessing intended for his brother, is punished for his deceit, by finding a Leah where he expected a Rachel. He who availed himself of an undue advantage to arrive at the right of the first-born, has undue advantage taken of him in having the first-born put in the place of the younger. He who could practice upon a father’s blindness, though to obtain a laudable end, is in his turn practiced upon by a father, employing the cover of night to accomplish a very unwarrantable purpose. Laban was base, treacherous, and wicked; but Heaven is wise, and holy, and just. Let the man who dares to think of doing evil in the hope that good may come, look at Jacob, and tremble. The shame, vexation, and distress of such a disappointment, are more easily imagined than described. And, what are all the votaries of sinful pleasure preparing for themselves? Treasuring up shame and sorrow, when the delirium of passion is over, and the returning light of reason awakens them to reflection and remorse. They thought it “to be Rachel, but in the morning behold it was Leah.” The next day, as may well be supposed, exhibited a scene of no pleasing kind: expostulation, upbraiding, and reproach. Laban, as avarice seldom chooses to avow its real motives, endeavors to justify his treachery and breach of faith, by a pretended regard for the laws and manners of his country, which permitted not the younger to be given in marriage before the first-born. An honest man would have given this information when the bargain was first proposed. It was an insult, not an indemnification, to produce it now. What will not this base passion make a man do? To deceive the unsuspecting and unwary; to oppress the weak; to practice upon the stranger, are among its simpler and more customary operations. Behold it leading a father, to----by what name shall I call it?--prostitute his own daughter. If there be a crime blacker than another; if, Satan, there be a purpose thou wouldst accomplish, which modesty shudders to think of, which the hand trembles to perpetrate, from which the conscience in horror recoils; infuse into some dark heart the demon of covetousness, the love of money; place gain in one eye, prostitution and parricide in the other, and the work of hell is done.

Mark how easy and flexible the conscience of a miser is. Let interest blow the gale, from whatever quarter it be, and lo, with the rapidity of thought, the understanding and conscience of the covetous wretch are veered round with it! The man, who last night shuddered at the thought of violating a foolish and absurd fashion of the country is not ashamed, the very next morning, to propose polygamy and incest; and to make his own children the instruments of them. Whence this strange inconsistency? It was for his advantage to adhere to the custom of the country; and to dispense with the laws of God and nature. What does it concern him, that disorder and distress are introduced into his daughter’s family, so long as it can anyhow redound to his private benefit? If another man have what may be called a weak side, avarice is quick-sighted as the eagle to discern it, and not more penetrating to discover than dexterous to convert it to its own emolument. Unfortunately, Jacob’s infirmity was clear as the sun at noon. His unextinguished, unabated passion for Rachel was well known to her rapacious father; who had, with a joy which the worldly mind alone can feel, seen his flocks multiply, and his wealth increase, under Jacob’s care. Unsatisfied and insatiable, he builds upon this well-known attachment the project of a farther continuation of Jacob’s servitude, with all its accumulation of riches and consequence. The proposal which avarice made without a blush, love accepted with perhaps too much precipitation. We are not framing an apology for Jacob’s conduct, but delivering the features of his character, and the lines of his history, from the sacred record. But this much we may venture to affirm, that Jacob, left to himself, and to the honest workings of a heart inspired by the love of an estimable object, would never have dreamed of a plurality of wives; much less of assuming the sister of his beloved Rachel, to be her rival in his affections. It does not appear, that the solemnization of Jacob’s marriage with Rachel, was deferred till the expiration of the second term of seven years. Provided Laban got sufficient security for performance of the agreement, it was indifferent to him when the other got possession of the bride. It is probable, therefore, that he gave way immediately to Jacob’s wishes; and the more so, that his business was likely to be executed with greater fidelity and zeal, by a servant and son gratified, indulged, and obliged, than by one soured by disappointment, dissatisfied and irritated by unkindness and deceit. Behold then Jacob, at length, at the summit of his hopes and desires. After much delay, through many difficulties, which have strengthened, not extinguished affection, Rachel is at last his wife. But alas, human life admits not of perfect bliss! The seeds of jealousy and strife are sown in Jacob’s family. The wife who enjoyed the largest share of the husband’s affection, is doomed to sterility; the less beloved, is blessed with children. Thus a wise and gracious Providence, by setting one thing against another, preserves the prosperous from pride and insolence, and the wretched from despair. Twenty years did Isaac and Rebekah live in wedlock without a child, though the inheritance and succession of all Abraham’s wealth and prospects depended upon it; whereas the family of Jacob, a simple shepherd, earning his subsistence by the sweat of his brow, the servant of another man, is built up and increases apace. The good things of life seem, to the superficial and discontented, to be unequally divided; but there is no balance so exact as that in which all conditions and all events are weighed. The great Governor of the world does not indeed conform himself, in the dispensations of his providence, to the misconceptions and prejudices of short-sighted, erring men; but he is affording ignorant, erring men, if they will but be attentive, perpetual cause to adore and admire his wisdom and justice, his mercy and faithfulness. Leah bears to Jacob, as fast as the course of nature permitted, four sons one after another; and, what is remarkable, not only is the hated wife first honored with being a mother, but with being the mother of the two tribes destined to the priesthood and to royal dignity; nay, the mother, remotely, of the chosen seed; a dignity after which every mother, since the first dawning of the promise, eagerly aspired. The fruitfulness of her sister violently excites Rachel’s envy. The partiality of Jacob to her, and all his profusion of tenderness, avail her nothing. She is unable to suppress her chagrin and mortification; and, in the bitterness of her heart, forgets both the respect which she owed her husband, and the submission she ought to have paid to the will of God. “And she said unto Jacob, Give me children or else I die.”[*]Gen 30:1 How odious, how pitiable are the sentiments, the looks and the language of passion, to the calm and dispassionate; nay, to the passionate man himself, when the fit is over, and passion has spent itself! “And Jacob’s anger was kindled against Rachel: and he said, Am I in God’s stead; who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb?”[*]Gen 30:2 What! and can the anger of Jacob be kindled against his Rachel, his first, his only love! to obtain whom he cheerfully served fourteen years! My fair hearers, presume not too far on the fondness of the men who love you. Be calm, be moderate, be unassuming, be reasonable, be submissive, and ye are every thing. Be arrogant, impetuous, self-sufficient, imperious, unreason able, and ye sink into nothing. I tremble to think of the dreadful length a woman will go to gratify her own spleen, and to mortify a rival. In truth, she ceases to be a female, where certain feminine points are to be carried; and the leading, distinguishing characteristics of the sex are lost and sunk in the feelings of the individual. What! the jealous, envious Rachel, who found her beloved husband had already one wife too many, to think of throwing another into his bosom! But her too happy sister and rival is to be mortified; and she cares not what pangs it costs her own heart. O, my gentle friends, you are yourselves the framers of your own fortunes. Be yourselves, and I will answer for my own sex. But quit the ground on which God and nature have placed you, and you are indeed to be pitied. If I might venture to hazard an opinion, not altogether unwarranted by the history, and which I am convinced by experience to be well founded you much oftener lose your object by over eagerness than by inattention. You may, now and then, succeed by address, or vehemence, or force; but you will succeed more certainly, and much more pleasantly with God and with man, by meekness, and gentleness, and submission.

Thus was Jacob most grievously wounded, there, where he was most vulnerable; most violently disturbed, there, where he promised himself perfect repose. Thus, our heaviest crosses arise out of our dearest comforts; and the pursuits of “vanity,” issue in “vexation of spirit.” Thus, all things conspire to give full assurance to the children of men, “that this is not their rest;” and invite them to seek: “another country, that is an heavenly, where there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, nor pain,” and “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.”