A Wife for Jacob Jacob Meets His Family

A Wife for Jacob

Jacob Meets His Family Genesis 29: 1 -14 • Jacob met Rachel at a well near Haran – Rachel, Laban’s daughter, had come to water her father’s sheep – Jacob rolled away the stone – He tearfully identified himself as Rebekah’s son • Laban ran to meet him and brought him to his house

The Deceiver Is Deceived Genesis 29: 15 -30 • Laban asked Jacob what wages he wished – Jacob agreed to work 7 years for Rachel’s hand – Laban prepared a feast for the wedding • Jacob got the soft-eyed Leah instead – Laban said their custom was for the older to marry first – He agreed to give Rachel to Jacob, after the week’s celebration was complete – Jacob had to work 7 more years – Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah

Four Sons for Leah • Leah named her firstborn Reuben (look, a son) – She hoped Jacob would love her because she bore a son • She called her second son Simeon (heard) – She felt the Lord heard she was not as well loved • Her 3 rd son was named Levi (will be joined) – She hoped Jacob would be joined to her • Leah named her 4 th son Judah (will praise) – She was praising the Lord

Rachel’s Sons through Bilhah Genesis 30: 1 -8 • Rachel, frustrated with her inability to have children, gave Jacob her handmaid, Bilhah – She named the 1 st Dan (he has judged) because she thought God had judged her case and heard her appeal – The 2 nd was named Naphtali (my wrestling), apparently because she saw herself in a contest with Leah in bearing children to Jacob and felt she had won with 2 sons through her handmaid

Leah’s Sons through Zilpah Genesis 30: 9 -13 • Leah may have given her handmaid, Zilpah, to Jacob because she did not want to be outdone by her sister • Zilpah bore 2 sons – Leah named the first Gad (good fortune, or a troop comes) – She named the 2 nd Asher (happy) because she said other women would call her blessed

Two Sons and a Daughter for Leah Genesis 30: 14 -21 • Rachel exchanged an opportunity for Leah to be with Jacob for some mandrakes (poisonous plant of the potato family) – She may have thought they produced fertility – She may have wanted them because they are rare • Leah named her next son Issachar (my hire) • She then bore Zebulun (honor) because she felt God was honoring her with 6 sons • She then bore Dinah (judgment)

Rachel Bears a Son Genesis 30: 22 -24 • “God listened to Rachel” probably indicates she had been praying – Reminds us God is the source of all blessings • Rachel bore a son and called him Joseph (he adds) – God had taken away her shame by allowing her to bear a child – His name may also have been a prayer for more

God Caused Jacob to Prosper Genesis 30: 25 -43; 31: 7, 9 • After 14 years of work, Jacob told Laban he desired to go home – Both Laban and Jacob knew God had prospered Laban because of Jacob • Jacob asked to be paid the oddly colored sheep • Laban kept changing which animals Jacob was to receive – God is the one who blesses – Jacob’s flocks grew with the strong types of animals