Jacob the deceiver. Continued discussion of how God worked through a
supplanter. Genesis 28
through 30 go through the story of Jacob after his mother thrust him out to find a wife
from among her people; in this case from Laban. Jacob immediately fell for Rachel and
after seven years of labor for Laban he was given a wife but he found out in the morning
that it was Leah; the older sister. This was not his fault; but nonetheless, God recognized
the marriage. In fact; Jacob's attitude toward her in the seven year further wait for Leah
(because of Laban's deception) caused Leah to bear many children as she was despised
and turned to God for direction. She gave glory to God; and some versions seem to
indicate her prayers were answered; after six kids God finally opened Rachel's womb;
but not before she had him sleep with the handmaiden for several children who would
later be part of the 12 tribes. We should learn here that when we despise someone for
somebody else God can bless the person as he is just (as with Leah). God's purposes
were done with Jacob's actions; or despite them. Eventually Jacob had a sort of
forgiveness and understanding with Esau; his actions may have prevented him from
carrying out his plans to kill him out of jealousy. Jacob also found ways to get revenge
on Laban for cheating him many years; again the Lord's will was done but not through
any righteousness on Jacob's part necessarily. His struggle with God in Genesis 32:22-
32 shows a tenacity perhaps unmatched in all history; that a mere man could wrestle
with God all night (probably Christ preincarnate) and only through the hip wound the
wrestling match was ended. That tenacity for a blessing is something we all can look at
as something to emulate in our prayers!
Genesis 31:34
shows how Rachel hid her household gods; something God could have destroyed her
and Jacob for. The Lord at that time overlooked it but who knows how much more
blessing she could have had without them?
