Genesis 29: When Jacob Met Rachel

Journey through the Book of Genesis with me.  The plan is simple. Read ONE chapter a day. Blog or journal 5* things you learned that you previously didn't know and ask 5* questions about the chapter that you'll ponder all week. Let's go!

** You'll probably learn way more than 5 things and have more than 5 questions about each chapter. That's totally fine. The more the merrier! 

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Genesis 29:1-35

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

QUESTION 1: Based on Genesis 26:12-14, Jacob had grown wealthy. So, why did he not simply pay Laban the bride price for Rachel? Why slave away for 7 years for her hand in marriage. One possibility is that he fled his home/murderous brother (Genesis 27:41-46) in such a hurry that he had to leave all his wealth behind and arrived in Paddan-aram with just a staff (Genesis 32:10)

QUESTION 2: How is it that it took several shepherds to "roll the stone from the mouth of the well and water the sheep" (v.3), yet Jacob singlehandedly rolled it off in verse 10 to take care of Rachel? An indication of Jacob's strength?

QUESTION 3: How is it possible that Jacob didn't know he was sleeping with  another woman on his wedding night? 

QUESTION 4: Did Leah have a choice in this matter or did she go along with it willingly? Was she forced to do it against her will or was she a conspirator in the matter? 

QUESTION 5: Is Rachel's barrenness a sort-of judgment, considering how Jacob was treating Lead? 

WHAT I LEARNED

INSIGHT 1: Both Isaac and Jacob met their wives (Rebekah and Rachel) by "wells"; perhaps the same well, considering its location? (Genesis 24:11 and Genesis 29:2)

INSIGHT 2: When Jacob spots Rachel, his entire speech to the shepherds in verse 7 is about trying to get rid of them so he can have some one-one-one time with her (they were saying his game). 

INSIGHT 3: Verse 11 plays out as the strangest "What Happened When We First Met" story ever!" - "Then Jacob kissed Rachel and wept aloud." This act, however, would appear to be inline with customary greetings in their day (as opposed to seeing it as a premature and odd expression of romantic affection). Jacob's weeping may have had to do with how amazed he was that God had blessed him with a similar love-match story as God had done with his father in the event that unfolded in Genesis 24.

INSIGHT 4: Rachel's reaction to finding Jacob, ("...and she ran and told her father." v.12) mirrors Rebekah's reaction when she first heard about Isaac ("...Then the young woman ran and told her mother's household about these things." Genesis 24:28).

INSIGHT 5: Leah's "weak eyes” can simply mean her eyes were pale colored compared to the dark and sparkling eyes commonly seen among women in the ancient Middle East. This does not translate into unattractive. In fact, the implication in verse 17 is that Leah had a soft and tender beauty about her, but in comparison to her stunningly gorgeous sister, she could be easily overlooked."

INSIGHT 6: Jacob's choice to work for 7 years, though he was wealthy (Genesis 26:12-14) appears to be motivated, not only by his love for Rachel, but also because he really couldn't go back home because Esau his brother was plotting his murder. 

INSIGHT 7: Although Laban is the instigator in this wedding night deception, Leah is also culpable because she went along with the plan. Unfortunately, this account mirror's Rebekah's and Jacob's deception of Isaac and Esau (Genesis 27). Ironically, Laban's justification of his actions in verse 26 about the older being prioritized over the younger brings to mind Jacob's stealing of his older brother's birthright. 

INSIGHT 8: Jacob's love for Rachel over Leah ("...Leah was hated" v.31) reads like the comment in Genesis 25:28, "Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob."

INSIGHT 9: Leah's child birthing became a means through which she could win her husband's affection. Yet, it is from this wife who was hated that would come the kingly tribe of Judah (including, Boaz, David, Solomon, Josiah, Joseph, and ….you ready for this? JESUS CHRIST!). The Son of God, redeemer of our souls, and savior of this world descends from a sister-wife who was forced on her husband by a deceptive father! How's that for some family drama?