Genesis 33 - Jacob/Israel Meets Esau

Jacob/Israel and Esau Reunion https://biblestudynpt.wordpress.com/2012/09/25/01-genesis-33/

 Jacob/Israel comes home to Canaan https://www.casualenglishbible.com/genesis-33/

Possible route of of Jacob's/Israel's caravan from Succoth to Shechem (60 miles/95km.)
https://www.casualenglishbible.com/genesis-33/

Summary https://marksbiblejourney.blogspot.com/2019/10/genesis.html
"As a peace offering, Jacob decides to send Esau a gift of many livestock.  Esau forgives Jacob for the things that happened in the past. They greet each other as long lost brothers. The hug each other, give a brotherly kiss, and weep tears of joy.  Jacob introduces his family to Esau. After much urging, Esau accepts Jacobs very large gift. After finding favor with Esau, Jacob says that he will follow Esau to his home in Seir. Instead, Jacob goes to Succoth and builds a homestead there for his family and remaining livestock. Then, he goes on to Shechem, buys land from the sons of Hamor, pitches his tent there, and builds an altar to the Lord.  He calls the altar El-Elohe-Israel, or God, the God of Israel."

Reading from the Amplified Bible (AMP) version..

• "Then Jacob looked up, and saw Esau coming with four hundred men. So he divided the children among Leah and Rachel and the two maids. He put the maids and their children in front, Leah and her children after them, and Rachel and Joseph last of all. Then Jacob crossed over [the stream] ahead of them and bowed himself to the ground seven times [bowing and moving forward each time], until he approached his brother." v.1-3

• "But Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, and hugged his neck and kissed him, and they wept [for joy]." v.4

• "Esau asked, “What do you mean by all this company which I have met?” And he answered, “[These are] to find favor in the sight of my lord.” But Esau said, “I have plenty, my brother; keep what you have for yourself.” Jacob replied, “No, please, if now I have found favor in your sight, then accept my gift [as a blessing] from my hand, for I see your face as if I had seen the face of God, and you have received me favorably. Please accept my blessing (gift) which has been brought to you, for God has dealt graciously with me and I have everything [that I could possibly want].” So Jacob kept urging him and Esau accepted it." v.8-11

• "So Esau turned back [toward the south] that day on his way to Seir. But Jacob journeyed [north] to Succoth, and built himself a house and made shelters for his livestock; so the name of the place is Succoth (huts, shelters)." v.16-17

• "When Jacob came from Paddan-aram, he arrived safely and in peace at the city of Shechem, in the land of Canaan, and camped in front of the [walled] city. Then he bought the piece of land on which he had pitched his tents from the sons of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for a hundred pieces of money. There he erected an altar and called it El-Elohe-Israel." v.18-20

My personal observations and reflections...

• JACOB/ISRAEL BOWED 7 TIMES. After last night's wrestling with God, it is now time to finally meet Esau. Take note that Jacob/Israel is now limp (or limping). I wonder if his wives asked him about it? But anyway, he arranged his wives and children this way: "the maids and their children in front, Leah and her children after them, and Rachel and Joseph last of all." It seems to me, the arrangement is according to their importance to Jacob/Israel, the last line was Rachel (most loved wife) and the Bible even mentioned the name of Joseph (favorite child). For me, it's a clue or foreshadowing of how Joseph was favored so much by his father, and how he will play out an important role with the rest of the 'Book of Genesis'. With all humility, and I believe reverence to God who has had great mercy towards Jacob/Israel, he approached his brother Esau by bowing himself to the ground 7 times. What a gesture!

* "Some think that his lifting up his eyes denotes his cheerfulness and confidence, in opposition to a dejected countenance; having by prayer committed his case to God, he went on his way, and his countenance was no more sad, 1 Sam. i. 18. Note, Those that have cast their care upon God may look before them with satisfaction and composure of mind, cheerfully expecting the issue, whatever it may be; come what will, nothing can come amiss to him whose heart is fixed, trusting in God. Jacob sets himself upon his watch-tower to see what answer God will give to his prayers, Hab. ii. 1. "https://st-takla.org/bible/commentary/en/ot/matthew-henry/genesis/ch33.html

• REUNITED, AFTER 20 YEARS. Wow! Jacob/Israel's fears and anxieties turned into relief, joy, and gladness! Esau wasn't planning to attack after all, but he ran to meet and embraced Jacob/Israel, they hugged and kissed and wept for joy. What an amazing reunion.. I believe that it is God who intervened between these twin brothers, it is God who brought healing, reconciliation and PEACE. God will not allow anger and the works of the enemy to hinder his ultimate plan of salvation through Abraham/Isaac/Jacob's descendants!

God is always in control, just like what it is said in Proverbs 21:1 (NLT):
"The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the LORD; he guides it wherever he pleases."

• MEET AND GREET, GIFTS. We then read a series of conversations between Jacob/Israel and Esau, and Esau met/saw his sister-in-laws and nephews, niece. Esau and Jacob/Israel did not even talked about the past! The matter was not spoken directly, and it was clear that all is well between the twin brothers. Esau asked what's the meaning of the 3 herds that he encountered before Jacob/Israel-- and Jacob/Israel explained that they are gifts/favor/blessing to Esau for receiving him favorably. Jacob/Israel even said "for I see your face as if I had seen the face of God." Indeed, it was God's mercy and love that moved in their midst. At first, Esau rejected it but "Jacob/Israel kept urging him and Esau accepted it."  

* "Who are those with thee? to which common question Jacob returns a serious answer, such as became his character: They are the children which God hath graciously given thy servant. Jacob speaks of his children, 1. As God's gifts; they are a heritage of the Lord, Ps. cxxviii. 3; cxii. 9; cvii. 41. 2. As choice gifts; he hath graciously given them." https://st-takla.org/bible/commentary/en/ot/matthew-henry/genesis/ch33.html
"Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward." Psalm 127:3 

• LET'S GO TO SEIR/EDOM. Jacob/Israel refuses his brother's offer to escort the caravan back to Esau’s home. According to the Bible Footnotes, "Jacob must have been concerned about traveling through Edom and used this excuse to avoid following Esau to Seir. Indeed, he heads in the opposite direction./Genesis 33:14" God has been clear in His directions to Jacob/Israel about returning to the land of Canaan, so Edom/Seir is not the destination.

However, Jacob/Israel was not truthful with his brother Esau for he said "Please let my lord go on ahead of his servant, and I will move on slowly, governed by the pace of the livestock that are in front of me and according to the endurance of the children, until I come to my lord in Seir [in Edom].” (v.14) I think, Jacob acted out of fear again here-- they just reunited and maybe Jacob/Israel did not want to risk displeasing his brother again? But then again, it is better to be truthful, all the time.

I remembered this verse:
"But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one." Matthew 5:37

Also, this prophecy is yet to be fulfilled: (Genesis 25:23)
"And the Lord said to her:

“Two nations are in your womb,
Two peoples shall be separated from your body;
One people shall be stronger than the other,
And the older shall serve the younger.”

• ESAU WENT SOUTH, JACOB WENT NORTH. As if to make sure Jacob/Israel will follow him, Esau even offered to leave some of his men to journey with Jacob/Israel's caravan. But Jacob/Israel also refused it, for he planned to go the other way. The way where God was leading him to go.

• El-Elohe-Israel - meaning "God, the mighty God of Israel." After temporarily staying at Succoth, Jacob/Israel finally settled at Shechem wherein he was able to buy a piece of land from the sons of Hamor (the Hivite), Shechem’s father. Just like Abraham, he erected an altar and called it El-Elohe-Israel, to honor God.
  

* Some trivia about Shechem:

"Here Abraham pitched his tent and built his first altar in the Promised Land, and received the first divine promise (Genesis 12:6-7)."

"The name of this city first appears in Genesis 33:18. It was a very old Canaanite city that stood in a strategic narrow sheltered valley between Mount Ebal on the north and Mount Gerizim on the south, these mountains at their base being only some 500 yards apart. It is considered one of the oldest settlements in Canaan. After the Israelite conquest, Shechem belonged to the tribe of Manasseh (Joshua 17:7)." https://christiananswers.net/dictionary/shechem.html

Amazing commentary, check it out! https://st-takla.org/bible/commentary/en/ot/matthew-henry/genesis/ch33.html

Significance of Shechem https://slideplayer.com/slide/4344509/

Read the Bible here:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+33&version=AMP#en-AMP-981

Genesis 32 - Jacob Fears Esau, Jacob Wrestles with God

Jacob's gifts for Esau, 3 herds https://www.casualenglishbible.com/genesis-32/

Wrestling all night by the river (Jabbok River) https://www.casualenglishbible.com/genesis-32/

Summary https://marksbiblejourney.blogspot.com/2019/10/genesis.html
"After leaving Laban, God's angels meet him at Mahanaim.  Jacob sends out messengers to meet Esau in the land of Seir.  Esau along with his party of 400 men decide to meet Jacob.  Jacob is afraid that Esau is going to attack his camp with good reason.  Jacob divides his camp into two camps, so that one camp can escape if Esau decides to attack the other.  Jacob prays to the Lord to rescue him from the hand of his brother Esau.  Jacob decides to make a peace offering with Esau by giving him many of the cattle and animals he has brought with him on the journey from Haran.  This peace offering is to go ahead of Jacob, so that Esau will know Jacob's apologetic intentions.  Hopefully Esau will forgive his brother Jacob.

At some point in time during the night, Jacob is alone.  He ends up wrestling with an Angel of God/man.  The Angel can not defeat Jacob, so he strikes Jacob in the hip and dislocates his hip socket.  Jacob will still not let the Angel go until he has been blessed by God.  The Angel changes Jacobs name to Israel, and He blesses him.  Jacob renames this place Peniel or Face of God."

Reading from the Amplified Bible (AMP) version..

• "Then as Jacob went on his way, the angels of God met him [to reassure and protect him]. When Jacob saw them, he said, “This is God’s camp.” So he named that place Mahanaim (double camps)." v.1-2

• "The messengers returned to Jacob, saying, “We went to your brother Esau, and now he is coming to meet you, and there are four hundred men with him.” Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed; and he divided the people who were with him, and the flocks and herds and camels, into two camps; and he said, “If Esau comes to the one camp and attacks it, then the other camp which is left will escape.” v.6-8

• "Jacob said, “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, the Lord, who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your people, and I will make you prosper,’ I am unworthy of all the lovingkindness and compassion and of all the faithfulness which You have shown to Your servant. With only my staff [long ago] I crossed over this Jordan, and now I have become [blessed and increased into these] two groups [of people]. Save me, please, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, that he will come and attack me and the mothers with the children. And You [Lord] said, ‘I will certainly make you prosper and make your descendants as [numerous as] the sand of the sea, which is too great to be counted.’” v.9-12

• "Then he selected a present for his brother Esau from the livestock he had acquired.. He put them into the care of his servants, every herd by itself, and said to his servants, “Go on ahead of me, and put an interval [of space] between the individual herds.” “I will try to appease him with the gift that is going ahead of me. Then afterward I will see him; perhaps he will accept and forgive me.” v.13, 16, 20

• "So Jacob was left alone, and a Man [came and] wrestled with him until daybreak. When the Man saw that He had not prevailed against Jacob, He touched his hip joint; and Jacob’s hip was dislocated as he wrestled with Him. Then He said, “Let Me go, for day is breaking.” But Jacob said, “I will not let You go unless You declare a blessing on me.” So He asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” And He said, “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed.” v.24-28

My personal observations and reflections...

 According to the resources I read, Jacob must be around 92-97 y/o here.

• JOURNEY TO HOME CONTINUED. Wow, angels encounter! According to the Bible Footnotes, "Jacob may have been referring to the angels as another camp, along with his own, and viewing their presence as evidence of divine protection. This was Jacob’s second encounter with the “angels of God” (28:12)./Genesis 32:2" Why did the Chapter started that way? Is there trouble coming? God is indeed faithful when He said "I will be with you." to Jacob. I got reminded of these particular verses:

"For He will give His angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all your ways." Psalm 91:11
"The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them." Psalm 34:7

• MESSAGE FOR ESAU. Maybe as a courtesy, and FYI to his brother Esau, Jacob sent messengers to him, "that I may find grace and kindness in your sight.”(v.5)

• ESAU COMING WITH 400 MEN. Because of their previous dispute, I guess I understand why Jacob got afraid and distressed by this news! The last time they were together (20+ years ago), Esau wanted to kill Jacob. Jacob's caravan is composed of children, servants, shepherds, and I think he has no trained soldiers or warriors-- so the thought of 400 men under Esau's leadership (who was a skilled hunter) was indeed frightening. Not fighting back, and dividing the camp into 2 so the others can escape if an attack happens, seems a good plan.

• JACOB'S HUMBLE PRAYER. We then read how Jacob prayed fervently to the God of his father Abraham and God of his father Isaac. It was the best thing he could do! What a powerful prayer! Indeed, when we are in a really helpless situation, and we are so afraid-- it's only God who can save and rescue us, and comfort us.. I really like the part when he said, "I am unworthy of all the lovingkindness and compassion and of all the faithfulness which You have shown to Your servant." (v.10) I think, that should be our attitude when we go to God in prayer, gratitude and humility in acknowledging that we don't deserve anything in the first place.. 

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* I remember these 2 truths (verses)-- the bad news is that we are all sinful and we deserve death, but God is merciful and compassionate that He has sent His one and only Son Jesus as the payment, sacrifice to take away all of our sins.:
"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," Romans 3:23
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23
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Jacob also remembered and placed his faith in God's promise since Abraham, that God will "make your descendants as [numerous as] the sand of the sea, which is too great to be counted." (v12)

• GIFTS FOR ESAU. Jacob had this idea to give 3 sets (herds/livestock) of gifts to Esau. He instructed his servants to: “Go on ahead of me, and put an interval [of space] between the individual herds.” (v.16) Like a peace offering, Jacob wanted to appease his brother Esau's anger, so when they finally get to see each other, he will be accepted and forgiven. This is Jacob's way of reconciling, and asking for forgiveness from Esau-- gifting him with material wealth and blessings, maybe as an atonement for his deception and stealing of birthright blessings before. 

For me, it shows Jacob's new heart.. He has experienced how God has prospered and blessed him before, so he did not need to cling to wealth, but what's important to him now is to preserve his family's life in order to return to Canaan and obey/fulfill God's plans and purposes.
At night, Jacob got his family safely across the brook (ford of the Jabbok) along with all his possessions.

• WRESTLING MATCH. It was still night, and Jacob stayed behind by himself. And then the weirdest thing happened. Wow.. A man came, and wrestled with Jacob until daybreak. Who is this man, and where did he come from? It seems the man just came out of nowhere. According to the Bible Footnotes, "This was God Himself (as Jacob eventually realizes in Gen 32:30; see also v 29 and Hosea 12:4), in the form of an angel./Genesis 32:24"

I am really blown away by this. In the past, Angels have appeared to Abraham, Hagar, when Sodom was destroyed,etc.-- but this is the first time that we read about "wrestling." Is God testing Jacob if he will put up in the fight, if he will prevail and strive hard? Is this a picture of an internal struggle that we all have when it comes to trusting God and surrendering to His will?

* There are a lot of interesting details about this encounter, and I found a complete, great COMMENTARY here, http://wotruth.com/COMMENTARIES-NEW/Genesis/genesis_pdf/Genesis-55.pdf. 
I was gripped as I was reading this! I will share some of the points that I was amazed of below, but I highly recommend that you download and read this if you want to understand more deeply the wrestling between Jacob and the Angel, as well as Jacob's life in general.

1. HE PREVAILED NOT AGAINST HIM
"To  me,  it  is  more  reasonable  to consider the Lord giving Jacob strength beyond standard humanity. At any rate,this  incident  is  remarkable,  indicating extraordinary strength, as when Samson slew a thousand men with the jawbone of an ass (Judges 15:15), or pulled a great temple   down   by dislodging  the  pillars  upon  which  it stood (Judges 16:28-30). Then  there was Adino the Eznite, who killed eight hundred  at  one  time  with  a  spear (2Sam 23:8), Shammah who single-handedly defeated a troop of Philistines (2 Sam 23:11), and the occasion when young David killed a lion and a bear (1Sam 17:34-35).
There   are   records   of   the   of extraordinary strength displayed by men– and this is such a record. It is, to my knowledge, the only record in Scripture of  a  mortal  engaged  in  a  struggle against an angel."
2. HE TOUCHED THE HOLLOW OF HIS THIGH
"Confirming  the  superiority  of  the angel.. Some versions read as though the angel struck the hip joint, causing it to become  dislocated  –  but  this  is  not correct. The last verse of this chapter makes clear that it was the sinew the angel touched, causing it to shrink. And thus pulling the hip out of joint."
3. JACOB’S THIGH WAS OUT OF JOINT
"This was the result of the sinew, or tendon, shrinking, or drawing up. It caused the ball to pull out of the socket – a condition that apparently became a permanent one." Although his thigh was out of joint– apparently a very painful condition – Jacob continued to wrestle through the night with the angel.

4. WHAT IS THY NAME?
"Actually, the  angels  knew  who Jacob was. When  he was yet with Laban, Jacob testified, "And the angel of God spake unto me in a dream, saying, Jacob: And I said, Here am I." (Gen 31:11). Therefore, this is not an inquiry concerning something unknown to the angel. Rather, this is to highlight the enormity of the blessing that is going to be conferred upon him."
5. NO MORE
Thus we have a comparison drawn of what Jacob was named, and what he is going to be named.
His name at that time was“Jacob,” given to him at birth because of what he had done at the time of his birth. 
In a sense, “Jacob” was a name given  because  of  his  works:–i.e."He took  his  brother  by  the  heel  in  the womb” (Hosea  12:3).  But  his  new name  would  be  traced  to  what  God would do."

• A NEW NAME AND A NEW IDENTITY. "Jacob struggled with God, Jacob struggled with men, Jacob prevailed." (Hosea 12:4, referring to parallel verses, PDF Commentary) What an amazing transformation! What a powerful work of God through a man named Jacob.. What an amazing faith journey of knowing God, and even seeing Him (almost) face-to-face..

"Jacob demands and receives a blessing.  This blessing comes in the form of a name change.  Instead of being called Jacob (he supplants; see Genesis 25:23-26) he is now called Israel (God strives, or striver with God).  A name change is symbolic of a new identity and a new way of life.  Jacob has striven both with God and with human beings (particularly with Esau and Laban).  He has proved himself an able and willing striver who no longer will need to resort to deceit or seek to supplant anyone."   –Linda B. Hinton https://dwellingintheword.wordpress.com/2014/10/15/1423-genesis-32/

from This Day with the Master,
by Dennis F. Kinlaw

BROKEN VESSELS

It is God who wrestled with Jacob.  God is always the initiator in our liberation.  And before he blessed Jacob, he touched Jacob’s thigh.  God has to break a person before that person will surrender.  The Christian community really ought to talk more about surrender than about consecration, because human beings resist God to the end and then must ask him to break the resistance and take control of their lives and hearts.  God broke Jacob so he had a crippled leg, and then God came and began to bless him.

I never knew a person who was filled with the Holy Ghost who did not have some brokenness in him.  We want to stand straight and be self-contained and poised, but God cannot use us or bless us when we are in that position.  He wants to break us so that instead of our own power, we have the Holy Spirit’s power.  Are you willing to be broken for him?  This is the toughest of all battles, but it determines whether we will be free or in bondage.

We need to have our own Peniel where we meet Jesus face-to-face.  We must see ourselves for what we truly are.  We must cry out to God for heart cleansing, and we must let him come and fill us with His Spirit.  We must allow him to break us so he can make us into prevailers, conquerors, and overcomers.

LIFE APPLICATION AND PRAYER:
Ever since God encountered me with His love, grace and mercy, I know that I will never be the same.. I have received and understood what Lord Jesus Christ did for me. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." I was bought with a high price, I am not my own, and I realized that somebody truly loved me that He was willing to die for me, just to redeem and forgive me. I feel like, all the wrestling was already done by Jesus at the cross, it is finished and we already have the victory through Him. However, as I am still living in the flesh, and still battling sin in my life, I need to wrestle too, in order to keep the faith and to obey and follow God's ways. The good thing is I will not be doing the wrestling upon my own strength, it is by His grace and help. All I need to do is trust Him, all the time, with everything, with all my mind, heart and soul.

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." Ephesians 6:12-13

Read the Bible here:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+32&version=AMP#en-AMP-957 

Genesis 31 - Jacob Flees from Laban

Jacob leaves Haran https://www.casualenglishbible.com/genesis-31/

Summary https://marksbiblejourney.blogspot.com/2019/10/genesis.html
"Laban's sons think that Jacob has unfairly taken their father's wealth.  On the other hand, Jacob thinks that Laban has cheated and changed his wages many times.  Jacob believes that God has taken Laban's herds and given them to him (God has made all the off-breed cattle mate instead of the purebred cattle).  Jacob has a dream where the Angel of God tells him to leave Paddan-aram and return to the land of his father Isaac in Canaan.  Rachel and Leah take sides with Jacob and are willing to leave their father.  When there is a chance, Jacob deceives Laban, and he flees Paddan-aram with his wives, children, camels, livestock, and possessions.  He crosses the Euphrates and heads for the hill country of Gilead.  Before leaving, Rachel steals her father's household idols.

Jacob has a three day head start until Laban hears word that he has fled Paddan-aram.  Laban, along with his relatives, pursue Jacob for seven days.  They overtake Jacob at Mount Gilead.  God comes to Laban in a dream at night, and He tells him not to make any rash decisions against Jacob.  Laban confronts Jacob and asks him why he left with his daughters and grandchildren without telling him.  If Jacob would have told Laban, he would have sent him away in celebration.  Laban promises not to harm Jacob as God told him in the dream.  Laban also questions why Jacob has stole his gods/idols.  Jacob gives reasoning to Laban for his leaving in deception.  He was afraid that Laban would not let his daughters and grandchildren go with him.  Jacob does not know that Rachel has stolen the idols, so he tells Laban that if anyone in his company has the idols they will not live. Laban searches through Jacob's, Rachels, and Leah's possessions.  Rachel continues hiding the idols, and Laban does not find them.

Jacob proclaims his innocence and claims that he has nothing that belongs to Laban.  Everything that is in Jacob's outfit belongs to him fairly.  After all, he has worked for Laban for 20 long years.  Laban sees things differently, but nonetheless, he wants to make a covenant with Jacob.  They make a mound of stones, and they eat by it.  Laban named the mound Jegar-sahadutha and Jacob named it Galeed.  Both names mean 'mound of witness'. In the covenant Laban tells Jacob not to mistreat his daughters or take other wives, and neither Jacob or Laban is to go beyond the mound of stones to do one another harm.  The covenant is a peace treaty between Laban and Jacob that is witnessed by God.  The next day, Laban returns back home."

Reading from the Amplified Bible (AMP) version..

• "Jacob heard that Laban’s sons were saying: “Jacob has taken away everything that was our father’s, and from what belonged to our father he has acquired all this wealth and honor.” Jacob noticed [a change in] the attitude of Laban, and saw that it was not friendly toward him as before." v.1-2

• "Then the Lord said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers and to your people, and I will be with you.” v.3

• "I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the pillar, and where you made a vow to Me; now stand up, leave this land, and return to the land of your birth.’” v.13

• "Then Jacob stood [and took action] and put his children and his wives on camels; and he drove away all his livestock and [took along] all his property which he had acquired, the livestock he had obtained and accumulated in Paddan-aram, to go to his father Isaac in the land of Canaan." v.17-18

• "On the third day [after his departure] Laban was told that Jacob had fled. So he took his relatives with him and pursued him for seven days, and they overtook him in the hill country of Gilead. God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night and said to him, “Be careful that you do not speak to Jacob, either good or bad.” v.22-24

• "Jacob answered Laban, “[I left secretly] because I was afraid, for I thought you would take your daughters away from me by force. The one with whom you find your gods shall not live; in the presence of our relatives [search my possessions and] point out whatever you find that belongs to you and take it.” For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the idols." v.31-32

• "These twenty years I have been in your house; I served you fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for [my share of] your flocks, and you have changed my wages ten times. If the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and [the Feared One] of Isaac, had not been with me, most certainly you would have sent me away now empty-handed. God has seen my affliction and humiliation and the [exhausting] labor of my hands, so He rendered judgment and rebuked you last night.” v.41-42

• “May the Lord watch between you and me when we are absent from one another. If you should mistreat (humiliate, oppress) my daughters, or if you should take other wives besides my daughters, although no one is with us [as a witness], see and remember, God is witness between you and me.” Laban said to Jacob, “Look at this mound [of stones] and look at this pillar which I have set up between you and me. This mound is a witness, and this pillar is a witness, that I will not pass by this mound to harm you, and that you will not pass by this mound and this pillar to harm me." v.49-52

My personal observations and reflections...

• ENVY? It seems that there has been a growing tension between Jacob and Laban (and his sons). It seems, that they couldn't believe how much Jacob has gotten rich from pasturing and tending Laban's flocks. But it was God who was guiding and prospering Jacob, despite Uncle Laban's treachery and taking advantage of Jacob, for the last 20 years. It seems that Jacob had enough of it, and he also noticed a change in Laban's attitude. It was not as friendly as before-- maybe because Laban realized that Jacob has become wealthier than him in the years that had passed, and now that Jacob wants to separate from him, there is nothing that Laban can do anymore.

• RETURN TO CANAAN. God has also given a go-signal to Jacob, promising him "I will be with you.” With this, Jacob called his 2 wives, Leah and Rachel and told them about the situation-- how their father has been cheating on him, and how God has helped him throughout as well. Rachel and Leah submitted to their husband Jacob, and even expressed that they too felt treated as foreigners or outsiders by their father. This makes me wonder, how does it feel to finally leave your own place, to live in another country.. Leah and Rachel may not know or realize the significance of their going to the promised land with Jacob-- but God was in the work as their 12 sons will become the 12 Tribes of Israel someday. How amazing!

• THE HOUSEHOLD OF JACOB SECRETLY LEFT. Did they left at night? I wonder how they ALL slipped away secretly, with all the camels and livestock. And, what was going on with Rachel stealing her father’s household gods? According to the Bible Footnotes, "Possession of these pagan figurines implied or conferred a right of inheritance. Genesis 31:19" I am wondering what was her motive, did it have great value, was she influenced by her father that's why she liked the pagan figurines, or was it just covetousness?

I tried to find other resources that would help me understand it:
* "The household idols Rachel stole were figurines of deities, indicating a pagan influence in Laban’s household. Traditionally, these household idols were thought to provide protection to the household." http://biblestudydaily.org/genesis-31-33/

* "Genesis does not explain why Rachel stole the household idols. Perhaps she had a nostalgic desire to have some items from her old home, and the teraphim were the most prominent. Another possibility is that the idols were made of valuable materials. If so, Rachel may have taken them for financial gain. Or it could be that Rachel believed in the power of the images. She may have stolen the idols out of a superstitious fear of moving from home. She had lived with or near her father her entire life, and she likely felt some anxiety about moving to a new place. The household idols could have been like a good-luck charm for her.
Basically, it appears that Rachel continued to hold to superstitions and pagan spiritual practices embraced by her father’s family. Still today, many Christians have difficulty letting go of non-Christian practices that exist as part of family tradition." https://www.gotquestions.org/family-idols.html

• 7 DAYS OF HOT PURSUIT. After 3 days, Laban knew what had happened, and pursued Jacob with his relatives for 7 days. At first I thought, why bother? But God came to the rescue and spoke to Laban as if giving him a warning, “Be careful that you do not speak to Jacob, either good or bad.” (v.24) Maybe God had seen something in Laban's heart that intends to harm Jacob. But God's protection and God's covenant promise is upon Jacob! It makes me remember these verses:

"Hence we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?” Hebrews 13:6 
 
"I praise the word of God. I trust God. I am not afraid. What can mere flesh [and blood] do to me?" Psalm 56:4
 
"I praise God for what he has promised; yes, I praise the LORD for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?" Psalm 56:10-11 
 
"What can we say about all of this? If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31  

"In my distress I prayed to the Lord, and the Lord answered me and set me free. The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me? Yes, the Lord is for me; he will help me. I will look in triumph at those who hate me. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in people. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes." Psalm 118:5-9

• LABAN REACHED JACOB. We then read a long confrontation between Laban and Jacob. Laban said "what do you mean by deceiving me and leaving without my knowledge, and carrying off my daughters as if [they were] captives of the sword; I might have sent you away with joy and with songs, with [music on the] tambourine and lyre, why did you not allow me to kiss my grandchildren and my daughters [goodbye]" (v.26-28) At this point, I question Laban's sincerity in everything that he has expressed.. It's hard to trust and believe Laban who clearly did not have integrity, with his attitude and deceptions before with Jacob.. He then kinda expressed his desire to harm Jacob, but then God had warned him beforehand, so.. His next point was about his household gods, he intends to find and search for it.

* Bible Footnotes: Genesis 31:30 Laban was upset because possession of the father’s household gods played an important role in inheritance. In the region where Laban lived, a son-in-law who possessed the family gods could appear before a judge and make a claim to the estate of his father-in-law. Since Jacob’s possession of the household gods implied the right to inherit Laban’s wealth, one can understand why he followed Jacob to recover the idols."
   
Oh, so Laban was afraid he was going to lose everything because of those figurines that implied the right to inherit Laban's wealth. Is that why Rachel took it, as an inheritance from his father? I'm thinking she might not intend to give it to Jacob, knowing that Jacob is a true believer and worshiper of God. Anyways, Jacob's conscience is clean because he did not even know who took it, and he let Laban and his relatives search for it.

 "The hills of Gilead, a mountainous region east of the Jordan River." https://dwellingintheword.wordpress.com/2014/10/14/1422-genesis-31/

• RACHEL & THE HOUSEHOLD IDOLS. Maybe knowing that it will cost her life, Rachel was determined to hide it, to the point of lying about it. She hid it in the camel's saddlebag and sat on it, telling the men that she has a period and feeling unwell. This part of the story seems terrible, and that must have been scary for Rachel.. This is what sinning does :( It creates an ugly pattern, even if we don't like it, it will produce consequences.. First, she stole, and now she's lying about it, or else she might die. What if Jacob knew about this? Will he save and try to spare his beloved wife Rachel? But Rachel was all alone on this matter.   

http://www.patriarchmen.org/genesis-31

I thought of verses about the benefits of admitting our faults and confessing our sins:

"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." James 5:16

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

"Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy." Proverbs 28:13
 
"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord." Acts 3:19
 
"Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." James 4:8

• JACOB'S TURN TO GET ANGRY. It must have been a relief for Jacob to release, express everything he wanted to say to his Uncle Laban!😌 We read how Jacob has done everything right towards Laban despite his cheating, how he slaved and suffered for 20 years, the sufferings he endured during hot and cold weather.. Jacob concluded by pointing to his God, who took care of him and who had been with him all throughout. And that God Himself had "rendered judgment and rebuked over Laban last night." (v.42)

• COVENANT OF MIZPAH. It seems Laban had no choice, but to initiate and offer a covenant, like a "peace treaty" between him and Jacob. He was unsuccessful in recovering the household idols, and now it has become a threat to him (because the household gods means his inheritance will belong to the person who currently possesses it.) He now seems to accept being separated from Jacob, and wishes to be as far away from him. With everyone as witnesses, and 2 sides of the family setting up pillar of stones, Laban said "This mound is a witness, and this pillar is a witness, that I will not pass by this mound to harm you, and that you will not pass by this mound and this pillar to harm me." Laban swore to a lot of gods, but "Jacob swore [only] by [the one true God] the Fear of his father Isaac." (v.53)

What started as an intense situation between Jacob and Uncle Laban, has turned into a sweet (last) reunion and farewell party. "They ate food and spent the night on the mountain" and "in the morning Laban got up and kissed his grandchildren and his daughters [goodbye] and pronounced a blessing [asking God’s favor] on them. Then Laban left and returned home." (v.53,54)

God is a God of reconciliation!❤️

*Bible Footnotes: "Genesis 31:49 The stone mound evidently was tall enough to be considered a place from which one could see at a distance. The thought behind it was that the Lord would watch them when they could not watch each other, and He would see and deal with any mistreatment committed by either of them (see v 50)."

Read the Bible here:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+31&version=AMP#en-AMP-893 

Genesis 30 - The Sons of Jacob

https://www.conformingtojesus.com/charts-maps/en/12_tribes_of_israel_chart.htm

Summary https://marksbiblejourney.blogspot.com/2019/10/genesis.html
"Rachel is distraught because she is barren.  She envies her sister Leah, and she wants a son of her own.  In a rash decision, Rachel tells Jacob to sleep with her slave, Bilhah, in order to have a child.  Jacob sleeps with Bilhah, and she bears Jacob two sons:  Dan and Naphtali.  Leah also sees that she is no longer bearing children, so she gives Jacob her slave, Zilpah, to sleep with as a wife.  Jacob and Zilpah have two sons:  Gad and Asher.  Rachel makes a deal with Leah.  In exchange for some mandrakes that Reuben found, Leah can once again sleep with Jacob.  Jacob and Leah sleep together again, and she bears him two more sons and a daughter:  Issachar, Zebulun, and Dinah.  Also, God remembers Rachel and opens her womb.  Rachel bears a son named Joseph.  So far, Jacob with Rachel, Leah, Bilhah, and Zilpah have eleven sons:  Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, and Joseph.  Jacob asks Laban to return to his homeland with his wives and children.  Laban doesn't want to see Jacob leave because the Lord has blessed him with Jacob at his side.  Laban tells Jacob he will increase his wages if he decides to stay.  Jacob asks for the off-breeds of the cattle; the speckled, spotted, or dark-colored sheep and goats.  For this Jacob will shepherd the rest of Laban's flock.  Jacob becomes very rich, and he has many flocks, male and female slaves, camels, and donkeys."

Reading from the Amplified Bible (AMP) version..

• "When Rachel saw that she conceived no children for Jacob, she envied her sister, and said to Jacob, “Give me children, or else I will die.” Then Jacob became furious with Rachel, and he said, “Am I in the place of God, who has denied you children?” She said, “Here, take my maid Bilhah and go in to her; and [when the baby comes] she shall deliver it [while sitting] on my knees, so that by her I may also have children [to count as my own].” v.1-3

• "Now when Rachel had given birth to Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, “Send me away, that I may go back to my own place and to my own country. Give me my wives and my children for whom I have served you, and let me go; for you know the work which I have done for you.” But Laban said to him, “If I have found favor in your sight, stay with me; for I have learned [from the omens in divination and by experience] that the Lord has blessed me because of you.” v.25-27

• "So Jacob became exceedingly prosperous, and had large flocks [of sheep and goats], and female and male servants, and camels and donkeys." v.43

My personal observations and reflections...

• SURROGATE. Leah had already 4 sons, and this made Rachel "depressed" and envious. So Rachel requested to Jacob to give her a child through her servant Bilhah, and she conceived two sons named Dan and Naphtali. I wonder how hard this (kind of) family mess was for everyone. Jacob dealing with two wives, who seems to be competing for his love and attention through their 'children'. I also wonder how hard it is to be a 'slave', nobody deserves to experience that. How does it feel to be a surrogate mother? I don't think I can bear that, to have a baby that you will not have a right to raise, to have a child that will go to your master/owner. I guess I just wonder how they all dealt with it all emotionally.

“God has judged and vindicated me, and has heard my plea and has given me a son [through my maid].” So she named him Dan (He judged). v.6

"With mighty wrestlings [in prayer to God] I have struggled with my sister and have prevailed.” So she named him Naphtali (my wrestlings)." v.8

* "On my knees refers to the custom where the husband impregnated the surrogate while the surrogate reclined on the lap of the wife, and how she might even recline on the wife as she gave birth. The symbolism clearly showed the child was legally the child of the mother, not the surrogate, who merely “stood in” for the wife both in conception and birth." –David Guzik https://dwellingintheword.wordpress.com/2014/10/13/1421-genesis-30/

• ANOTHER ONE! Jacob's family is growing! Leah seems discontented, and she wanted more children. Or was it also because her sister Rachel used her maid as a surrogate? Leah did the same and gave her servant Zilpah to Jacob; and she named her sons, Gad and Asher.

“How fortunate!” So she named him Gad (good fortune)." v.11
“I am happy! For women will call me happy.” So she named him Asher (happy)." v.13

• MANDRAKE STORY. As if to give more picture about Leah and Rachel's envy and competition with each other, we read a situation about a certain plant or herb named Mandrake. The eldest son Reuben gave mandrakes to his mom, and Rachel also asked for it. But Leah told her, “Is it a small thing that you have taken my husband? Would you take away my son’s mandrakes also?” (v.15), as if to show Rachel that it's her fault she's unloved by Jacob, eventhough she's the first wife. I'm not sure how effective mandrake is, but it seems Rachel is desperate for it. She offered that Leah can sleep with Jacob in return for his son's mandrakes.

https://slideplayer.com/slide/4565600/

* Bible Footnotes: Genesis 30:14 A narcotic plant thought by ancient peoples to be an aphrodisiac or cure for infertility.

Through Zilpah, Leah had more children, who she named Issaachar, Zebulun and Dinah.

“God has given me my reward because I have given my maid to my husband.” So she named him Issachar." v.18

“God has endowed me with a good [marriage] gift [for my husband]; now he will live with me [regarding me with honor as his wife], because I have given birth to six sons.” So she named him Zebulun. Afterward she gave birth to a daughter and named her Dinah." v.20-21 

 https://slideplayer.com/slide/9434367/

• GOD OPENED RACHEL'S WOMB. Wow, God did it again! Just like what He did to old Sarah, God allowed Rachel to conceive sons with Jacob. She named the first one, Joseph. Now, I realized why Joseph is Jacob's favorite son. He is a miracle baby, and he comes from Rachel, the wife he loved more.

“God has taken away my disgrace and humiliation.” She named him Joseph (may He add) and said, “May the Lord add to me another son.” v.23-24

• JACOB FINALLY WANTS TO GO BACK TO HIS OWN COUNTRY. This gave me a throwback of Abraham and God's great covenant and promise! After SEVERAL YEARS of working for Laban, as well as growing his family/household, it's time to go back to the land that God promised! But Uncle Laban seems unwilling to let him go, because he witnessed how God prospers and favor Jacob with blessings. But Jacob insisted that it's about time that he provide and do something for his own family. As one last condition, Jacob offered to again pasture and keep Laban's flock.

• JACOB'S DEAL: “You don’t have to pay me a thing. But how about this? I will go back to pasture and care for your flocks. Go through your entire flock today and take out every speckled or spotted sheep, every dark-colored lamb, every spotted or speckled goat. They will be my wages. That way you can check on my honesty when you assess my wages. If you find any goat that’s not speckled or spotted or a sheep that’s not black, you will know that I stole it.” (The Message, v.31-33)

• LABAN CHEATS AGAIN. Laban was being a hindrance to God's grand, bigger plans.. God's ways are still higher than human's ways, no amount of fraud or crookedness can prevent it. Instead of just trusting God, Laban tried to keep the blessing using his own ways.

"But that very day Laban removed all the mottled and spotted billy goats and all the speckled and spotted nanny goats, every animal that had even a touch of white on it plus all the black sheep and placed them under the care of his sons. Then he put a three-day journey between himself and Jacob. Meanwhile Jacob went on tending what was left of Laban’s flock." (The Message, v.35-36)

• GOD'S FAVOR AND INTERVENTION. We read a strange style from Jacob how he was able to mate and produce new flocks, as well as stronger ones, despite what Laban did. God blessed Jacob and did not leave him empty-handed. According to Bible Footnotes, "Genesis 30:39 The success of Jacob’s action was undoubtedly the answer to an unrecorded prayer. Later (31:7-12), Jacob gives God the credit for what happened, citing a special dream that he had from God."

"Yet your father has cheated me [as often as possible] and changed my wages ten times; but God did not allow him to hurt me. If he said, ‘The speckled shall be your wages,’ then the entire flock gave birth to speckled [young]; and if he said, ‘The streaked shall be your wages,’ then the entire flock gave birth to streaked [young]. Thus God has taken away the flocks of your father and given them to me. And it happened at the time when the flock conceived that I looked up and saw in a dream that the rams which mated [with the female goats] were streaked, speckled, and spotted. And the Angel of God said to me in the dream, ‘Jacob.’ And I said, ‘Here I am.’ He said, ‘Look up and see, all the rams which are mating [with the flock] are streaked, speckled, and spotted; for I have seen all that Laban has been doing to you."

Our Creator GOD IS AMAZING, FULL OF WISDOM! Indeed, all wisdom are His and everything belongs to Him. Even if someone will steal something from us, God is still our provider.


I also want to share a great, more expounded read about this: https://answersingenesis.org/genetics/animal-genetics/jacobs-odd-breeding-program-genesis-30/

 https://biblicalfoundations.weebly.com/is-jacobs-stick-trick-scientific.html 

Read the Bible here:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+30&version=AMP

Genesis 29 - Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel

One-month walk, Beersheba to Haran (550 miles, 885 km.) https://www.casualenglishbible.com/genesis-29/

http://www.keyway.ca/htm2013/20130818.htm

Summary https://marksbiblejourney.blogspot.com/2019/10/genesis.html
"Jacob travels to Haran in the eastern country.  He comes upon a well near Haran.  Rachel has brought her father Laban's sheep there to water them.  Jacob helps her, and they kiss.  Jacob tells Rachel that he is her cousin, Rebekah's son.  Rachel runs back home to tell her father that Jacob has arrived.  Laban gives Jacob a warm welcome.  Jacob starts working for Laban, and after one month Laban offers to pay him for his work.  Jacob replies that he will work for seven years in order to marry Rachel.  Laban agrees, and Jacob works for seven years on Laban's land.  After the seven years of work, Laban deceives Jacob by giving his older daughter Leah to him in marriage.  Laban gives an excuse to Jacob after the fact, saying the older daughter must be married before the younger daughter.  Laban says that if Jacob works for him another seven years he can marry Rachel after all.  Jacob agrees, marries Rachel, and works for Laban another seven years.  Jacob loves Rachel, but she is barren at the start of their marriage.  Leah is unloved by Jacob, but God opens her womb.  Leah has four sons by Jacob:  Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah.  Leah stopped having children after this."

Reading from the Amplified Bible (AMP) version..

• "While he was still speaking with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep, for she was a shepherdess. When Jacob saw [his cousin] Rachel, the daughter of Laban, his mother’s brother, and Laban’s sheep, he came up and rolled the stone away from the mouth of the well and watered the flock of Laban, his uncle. Then Jacob kissed Rachel [in greeting], and he raised his voice and wept. Jacob told Rachel he was her father’s relative, Rebekah’s son; and she ran and told her father." v.9-12

• "Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah’s eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance. Jacob loved Rachel, so he said, “I will serve you [as a hired workman] for seven years [in return] for [the privilege of marrying] Rachel your younger daughter.” Laban said, “It is better that I give her [in marriage] to you than give her to another man. Stay and work with me.” So Jacob served [Laban] for seven years for [the right to marry] Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her." v.16-20

• "But in the evening he took Leah his daughter and brought her to Jacob, and Jacob went in to [consummate the marriage with] her. Laban also gave Zilpah his maid to his daughter Leah as a maid. But in the morning [when Jacob awoke], it was Leah [who was with him]! And he said to Laban, “What is this that you have done to me? Did I not work for you [for seven years] for Rachel? Why have you deceived and betrayed me [like this]?” v.23-25

• "But Laban only said, “It is not the tradition here to give the younger [daughter in marriage] before the older. Finish the week [of the wedding feast] for Leah; then we will give you Rachel also, and in return you shall work for me for seven more years.” So Jacob complied and fulfilled Leah’s week [of celebration]; then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel as his [second] wife." v.26-28

My personal observations and reflections...

• RACHEL THE SHEPHERDESS. The first woman in the Bible that I know who was a shepherd, wow. I wonder how Jacob felt when he finally arrived in his destination (after a month/or more than), and when he finally met Laban's men (or servants), and then his cousin Rachel. He must have felt "home" somehow, after being alone in his journey. He must have felt relieved, and overwhelmed.

• GREETING KISS? Was this just a sisterly and brotherly kiss at first, or Jacob has fallen in love with Rachel at first sight, knowing that he was charged by his parents to go to his Uncle Laban for a wife.. Anyway, we read that his Uncle Laban has warmly welcomed Jacob too, embraced and kissed him and brought him to his house. This is such a good (extended) family reunion.

• JACOB WORKED FOR LABAN. After a month of stay, Uncle Laban took the initiative to ask Jacob what he wanted for a wage, in return of his help/service.

Back in Genesis 24:53, when Abraham sought a bride for his son Isaac, the servant (Eliezer of Damascus) was able to bring "jewelry of silver, jewelry of gold, and articles of clothing, and gave them to Rebekah; he also gave precious things to her brother and her mother." This time, Jacob has no wealth, nothing to give to have the right to marry one of Laban's daughters.

• 7 YEARS OF WORK FOR RACHEL. There is that number 7 again! What a really significant number of God, that denotes completion or perfection (https://www.biblestudy.org/bibleref/meaning-of-numbers-in-bible/7.html).

At this point, we are getting to know more about Laban's 2 daughters, somehow. Leah is the eldest, while Rachel is the younger one.
*Different translations of Genesis 29:17 (https://biblehub.com/genesis/29-17.htm)
- Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel had a lovely figure and was beautiful. (NIV)
- There was no sparkle in Leah’s eyes, but Rachel had a beautiful figure and a lovely face. (NLT)
- Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured. (KJV)
- Leah had ordinary eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful. (HCSB)
- Leah looked rather plain, but Rachel was lovely in form and appearance. (ISV)

* According to some Bible Footnotes, "tender eyed" might be a polite way of saying Leah was not very pretty.

Aside from this fact, I wonder what other things made Jacob love Rachel instantly. Maybe it's also because Rachel is the younger one, nearer to Jacob's age, though I had no idea how old is Leah.

7 years "seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her." Wow, that is really a sweet line! There is some truth to this, because when a person loves someone, or when a person loves what he/she is doing, it doesn't feel that hard to do, or long to wait (in Jacob's case). One of the amazing things in the spirit of man that God gave. 

In some ways, this leads me to think about my love for God. Am I always genuinely in love, with the One who truly loves me, that I am willing to endure, wait, put all my hope, trust and faith, submit and surrender to His will, no matter how hard it is or no matter what happens?

• WEDDING FEAST. LABAN'S TREACHERY. Finally, Jacob completed the 7 years and now he can't wait to get Rachel as his wife. According to the Bible Footnotes, "The wedding feast was usually a lavish event lasting seven (7) days. A wide variety of food was served along with wine, which was sometimes fortified with spices."

However, something unexpected happened! Laban took his older daughter Leah to Jacob, instead of Rachel. So Jacob felt betrayed and deceived, when he woke up in the morning. According to the Bible Footnotes again, "Laban must have made sure that Jacob was thoroughly intoxicated before he attempted to switch the daughters."

It seems that God is in the process of working in Jacob's heart here. Before, Jacob was the one who deceived his father Isaac, to steal the firstborn blessing from Esau. Now, he felt how it is to be taken advantage of by someone, or to be cheated. Is Laban being truthful when he reasoned out that "it is not the tradition to give the younger [daughter in marriage] before the older"? Either way, Jacob had no other choice. Laban is the father/leader of the house, Jacob needs to submit to his now father-in-law's authority. And if he really do love Rachel, he will be willing to take all the conditions, no matter how unfair it seems (to Jacob, and Leah as well.) Laban is also a bit opportunistic here because, knowing that Jacob is kinda in a helpless situation-- he made sure that both of his daughters will get married, and will have descendants from Jacob, eventhough Jacob didn't really like Leah that much.

But,,, considering that Jesus Christ will one day come from and be born out of Leah's sons/descendants-- can I call it, Laban being an opportunistic, for good reason?-- if there's such a thing. God allowed things to happen, for His great plans. Over all, it's just amazing how everything had played out, for the good-- indeed, God will always make a way, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD." Isaiah 55:8

* "It was possible for Jacob to be fooled because of the wedding customs of the day. According to those customs the wife was veiled until she was finally alone with her husband in the “honeymoon suite.” If it was dark by the time Jacob and his new bride were alone together (something Laban would not have difficulty arranging), it helps explain how Jacob was fooled." –David Guzik https://dwellingintheword.wordpress.com/2014/10/10/1420-genesis-29/

• ANOTHER 7 YEARS. Jacob indeed proved he "loved Rachel more than Leah" when he worked for another 7 years, wow. If anything, God really worked in Jacob's determination and endurance, and patience. I would love to read more details about that span of time, but it's not recorded, for a purpose, I guess. Jacob's love seems great, and it's a picture of God's GREATER love too. I am reminded of these verses:

http://travelingecumenist.blogspot.com/2016/03/checklist-for-love-1-corinthians-134-8.html

• GOD LOVES THE UNLOVED. We read how Leah was blessed with children, but not really happy and blessed with his husband's (romantic, affectionate) love. I guess, that's just reality, we cannot have everything.. And we are all sinful human beings, not really capable of loving others the way God loves them.. Not to mention, it's two wives for one husband, which can be very difficult (polygamy). The naming of Leah's sons reflects her transition, from pain/bitterness, to acceptance and praising the Lord in the end. 

"The Lord saw that Leah was unloved" (v.31) This verse alone assures me that God knows when I am feeling unloved, He sees it and He cares. He actually listen to us. He may not physically embrace and comfort us, but with His spirit He will fill us with joy, peace and overflowing love. Nothing can ever compare to God's great love. And as an ULTIMATE PROOF of His love, He will send His Son Jesus through Jacob's descendants, to save and redeem us from sin and death.🙌

https://freshmanmonroe.blogs.wm.edu/2011/08/03/surrogates-starring-sarah-rachel-and-leah-not-bruce-willis/

* "Leah, though she was neglected by Jacob and despised by Rachel, had a great purpose in God’s plan. The two greatest tribes came from Leah, not Rachel: Levi (the priestly tribe) and Judah (the royal tribe). And most importantly, the Messiah came from Leah, the uglier sister, who was neglected and despised, but who learned to look to the Lord and praise Him." https://dwellingintheword.wordpress.com/2014/10/10/1420-genesis-29/

Read the Bible here:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+29&version=AMP