“Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east.” (Gen 29:1)
Jacob saw a well that was covered by a large stone. All around the well were sheep, goats, camels, etc… As the shepherds would remove the stone to water the flock and then return the stone.
Jacob began to talk to the shepherds. He wanted to know where they were from, if they knew a man called Laban. The shepherds told him that they were from Haban and they knew Laban. They then pointed out Laban’s daughter Rachel was bringing her father’s sheep.
Jacob helped Rachel water her father’s sheep and told her that he was her kin. When Rachel heard his story she ran back to tell Laban about Jacob.
Laban ran out to greet Jacob. Jacob stayed with Laban for a month and asked to marry Rachel. If Laban accepted, he would work for Laban for 7 years and they marry Rachel.
Laban didn’t exactly agree, he said, “And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me.”(Gen 29:19)
The 7 years passed quickly for Jacob and when his time was done he asked Laban to give him Rachel to marry. Laban had a feast for Jacob. Laban brought his daughter Leah and Jacob went in to her.
In the morning Jacob saw that this was not Rachel, it was Leah. Jacob asked Laban, why did you lie to me. I worked for Rachel.
“And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn.” (Gen 29:26)
Laban had deceived Jacob. Instead of launching into a rage, Jacob accepted the deception and would serve Laban an additional 7 years to win the hand of Rachel.
God saw that Leah was hated. So he opened her womb so that she would conceive the first born of Jacob.
One of the best descriptions of God giving his favors to the righteous, are the children next born to Leah, while Rachel is barren.
“The names Leah gave her children, expressed her respect and regard, both to God and to her husband. Reuben, or See a son, with this thought, Now will my husband love me; Levi, or joined, expecting, Now will my husband be joined unto me. Mutual affection is both the duty and comfort of the married relation; and yoke-fellows should study to recommend themselves to each other, #1Co 7:33,34|. She thankfully acknowledges the kind providence of God in hearing her. Whatever supports and comforts us under afflictions, or tends to our deliverance from them, God must be owned in it. Her fourth son she called Judah, or praise, saying, Now will I praise the Lord. This was he, of whom, as concerning the flesh, Christ came. Whatever is the matter of our rejoicing, ought to be the matter of our thanksgiving. Fresh favours should quicken us to praise God for former favours; Now will I praise the Lord more and better than I have done. All our praises must centre in Christ, both as the matter of them, and as the Mediator of them. He descended after the flesh from him whose name was “Praise,” and He is our praise. Is Christ formed in my heart? Now will I praise the Lord.” (Matthew Henry 1710)
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