05.034. Chapter 29
Jacob was 77 when he left Beersheba for Haran. He would spend 20 years serving his uncle Laban, 33 years back in Canaan, and the last 17 years of his life in Egypt. Arriving in Paddan-Aram, he was guided to the very field where some shepherds from Haran were tending their flocks. So perfect was God’s timing that Rachel was just arriving with her flock when Jacob was talking with the shepherds (Genesis 29:1-6). Being a good shepherd, Jacob wondered why they were all waiting at the well when there were still daylight hours for feeding the sheep. They explained that, they did not remove the cover from the well until all the herds had arrived (Genesis 29:7-8). It was an emotion-packed moment for Jacob when he met his cousin Rachel (Genesis 29:9-12), and for Laban a short while later when he met his nephew Jacob (Genesis 29:13-14)
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 (Genesis 29:15-20). Leah was weak-eyed and not attractive. Rachel was beautiful and lovely (Genesis 29:17).
According to custom on the wedding night, it was arranged that the bride should go in to the groom, veiled and perhaps when the room was in darkness. You can imagine how irate Jacob was in the morning when he found that his bride was Leah, Laban had tricked him, but excused the trick on the ground that the older daughter should be married first according to the local custom. Then Laban said, “Complete the week of this one” (that is, carry through on the marriage to Leah, observing the usual festive week) “and we will give you the other” (Rachel) “in return for serving me another seven years” (Genesis 29:27 RSV). At the end of the weeklong wedding feast, Jacob also married Rachel, then served seven more years for her (Genesis 29:21-30). Jacob had sown deceit, and now he was reaping it! When the Lord saw that Leah was hated—that is, loved less than Rachel—He compensated for this by giving her children (Genesis 29:31). This law of divine compensation still operates; People who lack in one area are given extra in another. Leah acknowledged the Lord when she named her children (Genesis 29:32-33, Genesis 29:35). From her comes the priesthood (Levi), the royal line (Judah), and ultimately the Christ. In this chapter we have the first four of the sons of Jacob (Genesis 29:32-35). The complete list is as follows;
Sons born to Leah:
Reuben, meaning “see ye a son” (Genesis 29:32) Simeon, meaning “hearing” (Genesis 29:33) Levi, meaning “joined” (Genesis 29:34) Judah, meaning “praise” (Genesis 29:35) Issachar, meaning “hire” (Genesis 30:18) Zebulun, meaning “dwelling” (Genesis 30:20) Sons born to Bilhah, handmaid of Rachel:
Dan, meaning “judge” (Genesis 30:6) Naphtali, meaning “wrestling” (Genesis 30:8) Sons born to Zilpah, handmaid of Leah:
Gad, meaning “a troop” or “good fortune” (Genesis 30:11) Asher, meaning “happy” (Genesis 30:13) Sons born to Rachel:
Joseph, meaning “adding” (Genesis 30:24) Benjamin, meaning “son of the right hand” (Genesis 35:18)