LastCall: Jacob served seven years for Rachel, -Bob Caldwell

Romantic Love  "So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed only a few days to him because of the love he had for her." -Genesis 29:20 Jacob fled from the wrath of his brother Esau with none of the riches of his father's household. But he found consolation in not only finding the brother of his mother, but also a woman with whom he fell deeply in love. This would have done much to fill the vacuum of his lonely heart in a far away land. Laban, Jacob's uncle, took advantage of Jacob's love for Rachel by having him work seven years as a form of dowry. Dowries were common in ancient times, but because Jacob fled his home with nothing, he had no wealth to offer for this beautiful woman he loved. Instead he gave himself to seven years of labor by managing Laban's flocks and bringing wealth to him. Yet, these seven long years seemed as if they were nothing compared to all that Rachel meant to Jacob. He valued her so much; there was nothing in the entire world that compared to her, and no price he would not pay to have her as his own. The beauty and pleasure of romantic love is one of the single greatest gifts of God to humanity. It gives us something in this fallen world that can fill our hearts with a joy and meaning that defies description. If you have yet to tap into the depths of joy waiting to be discovered in romantic love, you will be well served if you carefully read the most beautiful story of romantic love written in the Song of Solomon. There you will find the rightful place of this priceless gift in what God has uniquely given to humanity.
Genesis 29:1-20  Jacob Meets Rachel 1 So Jacob went on his journey and came to the land of the people of the East. 2 And he looked, and saw a well in the field; and behold, there were three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks. A large stone was on the well's mouth. 3 Now all the flocks would be gathered there; and they would roll the stone from the well's mouth, water the sheep, and put the stone back in its place on the well's mouth. 4 And Jacob said to them, "My brethren, where are you from?" And they said, "We are from Haran." 5 Then he said to them, "Do you know Laban the son of Nahor?" And they said, "We know him." 6 So he said to them, "Is he well?" And they said, "He is well. And look, his daughter Rachel is coming with the sheep." 7 Then he said, "Look, it is still high day; it is not time for the cattle to be gathered together. Water the sheep, and go and feed them." 8 But they said, "We cannot until all the flocks are gathered together, and they have rolled the stone from the well's mouth; then we water the sheep." 9 Now while he was still speaking with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep, for she was a shepherdess. 10 And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother, that Jacob went near and rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother. 11 Then Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice and wept. 12 And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father's relative and that he was Rebekah's son. So she ran and told her father.
Jacob Arrives At Laban's (Verses 1-14) v. 1 Went On His Journey – The distance between Bethel and Haran is approximately 500 miles. People of the East – This refers to the region and people of Mesopotamia. v. 7 Water the Sheep – Jacob had been involved with his father in the management of several large herds of livestock. Jacob draws from his own experience in asking these shepherds to water the sheep now since waiting at the well lost time when the sheep could be grazing. v. 8 We Cannot – Evidently these shepherds had an agreement that they would not begin watering the sheep until all the herds had arrived. This was done so that each of the herds was given equal use of the water. v. 10 Rolled the Stone – This well was likely a cistern dug in the ground. Archeologists have discovered similar sources of water in the Valley of Hebron. They were hollowed out of rock beds and covered with large thick stone with a hole in the middle to collect the rainwater. Often this hole was covered with a heavy stone when it was not raining, and required two or three men to roll it away. Watered the Flock – Jacob did for Rachel what his mother had done many years earlier for the servant of Abraham when he came to this same area seeking a wife for Isaac, Jacob's father. v. 11 Kissed – This was an act of greeting, not associated with romance.
13 Then it came to pass, when Laban heard the report about Jacob his sister's son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him and kissed him, and brought him to his house. So he told Laban all these things. 14 And Laban said to him, "Surely you are my bone and my flesh." And he stayed with him for a month. 15 Then Laban said to Jacob, "Because you are my relative, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what should your wages be?" 16 Now Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. 17 Leah's eyes were delicate, but Rachel was beautiful of form and appearance. 18 Now Jacob loved Rachel; so he said, "I will serve you seven years for Rachel your younger daughter." 19 And Laban said, "It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to another man. Stay with me." 20 So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed only a few days to him because of the love he had for her.
v. 13 Told Laban – Likely this included the problems that arose due to the birthright (chapter 27). Jacob would in some way need to explain why he arrived with no servants, gifts, or dowry for a wife and wanted to stay with Laban for more then just a visit. Laban's awareness of Jacob's trouble explains why he felt he could take advantage of Jacob in the events surrounding the marriage of Rachel and the poor wages paid to Jacob (Gen. 32:36-42). Jacob Marries (Verses 15-30) v. 17 Leah's Eyes – Her eyes were described as delicate. In the Hebrew this is "Rak." It means tender, weak or faint. Evidently this refers to poor eyesight. v. 18 Serve Seven Years – It was customary that a dowry be given to the father in exchange for his daughter. The greater the position and wealth of the daughter's family the more expensive the dowry would be. Since Jacob left home with none of the wealth of his family he had to work off this dowry. v. 20 Few Days – Jacob reveals some of his more noble characteristics. He was a man who had the capacity for a deep and rich love that motivated his behavior.

Michael James Stone

Fair Use Notice

In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, any copyrighted work herein is archived under fair use without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in reviewing the included information for personal use, non-profit research and educational purposes only.

Last Call

‘Your Devotion with Emotion’

This material was brought to you by Broadcast(B.C.)Christianity. Last Call Digest, is a ministry of Michael James Stone, volunteers, and people dedicated to the Love of God and Salvation of Souls. It is an aggragate of Christian Material selected to Bless you and Prepare you for each and every day you read them. May God Bless You as You Do!! Reading these Devotions will help you to prepare daily for life, living, and your Lord. You will hear God Speak To You thru them.  Jesus  is Coming Very Soon.

Last Call Digest

“the simple format”

Broadcast(B.C.)Christianity, operates by you, with you, and for you. “Freely you have received, freely give”  Pass this on, everywhere you can, anytime you can, anyway you can. You will be blessed if you do. mrnetbizness@gmail.com

Last Days of the Last Generation                                                           “Last Generation”

                                      The simple format                                                                                      “the prophecy site just about prophecy”

Broadcast(B.C.)Christianity Journalist

This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner.

The material is being made available in an effort to understand scripture, news, technology and society especially as it relates to God and Jesus. It is specifically for non-profit research and educational purposes only. I believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use this copyrighted material for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use,' you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. This is a completely non-commercial site for private personal use. No fee is charged, and no money is made off of the operation of this site. Nor is any implied reciprocal gratuities implied or construed.

Posted via email from The Last Call Digest