Day 12: Genesis 29-30
Today's morning devotion is Genesis 29-30, which tells the story of Jacob's marriages to Leah and Rachel in Genesis 29. Genesis 30 begins the story of Jacob's departure from Laban in Haran.
What goes around comes around
Jacob gets a taste of his own medicine when Laban deceives Jacob. Laban succeeds in marrying off both of his daughters to Jacob in exchange for 14 years of service, instead of honoring the original agreement which was 7 years for just Rachel.
While this feels satisfying as a reader, I think it's important to remember that Jesus tells us that "an eye for an eye" does not mean that evil should repaid with evil. I guess the satisfaction is a guilty one, and one that I should avoid seeking as I'm reading through the Bible.
To complete the week
What did it mean for Jacob to complete Leah's week?
Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also in return for serving me another seven years.” Jacob did so, and completed her week. Then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife. (Genesis 29:27-28 ESV)
A Q&A on Gracethrufaith explained that Jewish wedding customs included a week where the bridge and groom were to be hidden away, as a way to more intimately learn about each other. After the week they would emerge publicly to the world as husband and wife.
God loves all his children
The use of children to win Jacob's favor was an interesting move on the part of God, which I thought demonstrated God's fairness in trying to love all of his creation.
When the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. (Genesis 29:31 ESV)
It's sad that Jacob hated Leah, and it seems that God only wanted for everyone to be loved.
Leah remembers her true love
For her part, Leah may also have unduly idolized Jacob, her husband. Trying to use children to win Jacob's favor was ultimately a futile effort.
And Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben, for she said, “Because the LORD has looked upon my affliction; for now my husband will love me.” She conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Because the LORD has heard that I am hated, he has given me this son also.” And she called his name Simeon. Again she conceived and bore a son, and said, “Now this time my husband will be attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” Therefore his name was called Levi. (Genesis 29:32-34 ESV)
As Leah's responses to the births of her first three sons show, Jacob's feelings toward Leah did not appear to change much, if at all.
The important takeaway here is that, eventually, Leah realizes that Jacob's love is not the most important thing in the world. She remembers to place God above all else.
And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, “This time I will praise the LORD.” Therefore she called his name Judah. Then she ceased bearing. (Genesis 29:35 ESV)
It seems that when Leah found peace with herself and rediscovered or prioritized her love for God, she no longer needed to bear children, and God closed her womb at that time.