Jacob found himself in a new place and getting a new start. His uncle brought Jacob into his home, gave Jacob a job, and now negotiated a plan so that Jacob could marry his dream girl, Rachel…or so Jacob thought. Laban had a different plan.
He had two daughters to marry off and only one potential son-in-law. So, Laban promised Jacob his daughter Rachel, but on the wedding night, Laban delivered Leah. One wonders how outraged Jacob must have felt. It would have been so wrong. Then in the back of his mind Jacob remembered the birthright, the blessing, and being away from home for 7 years.
Jacob protested and spewed–I am sure, but in the end, He had his Rachel and Leah, who would be the mother of Judah–lineage of the Savior. It became clear that Jacob had met his match, but as time would pass, Jacob would grow to depend upon God, not his wits to solve his problems and that would be in no small part due to Jacob’s dear father- in-law.
It is critical to remember that God has a plan. Through time as we follow the Lord, that plan is executed in God’s way and in God’s timing. So many outcomes in our lives have God’s hand all over them. They make no sense to us until we can see the bigger picture, and realize it is not about us, but about our Lord.
When we can finally embrace the truth and trust God’s methods and timing, then ours eyes open to see almighty God doing incredible works to advance His kingdom in our lives and the lives of those that diligently seek Him. When things seem to go sideways, which they always do, and we feel out of control and hopeless, in those moments we need to stop, trust the Lord, and pray. It is also at those moments that we need to believe the Lord has a plan and wants to make it real in our lives.
God Bless You
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[a] 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.
Walking With God 