Genesis 29:22 So Laban brought together all the people of the place and gave a feast.
Once again, I wonder what the women think of this situation–not that it matters as their father had final say. Was Leah in favor of the plan? Was Rachel horrified at the plan? And what about Jacob? Did he grasp the absolute irony of this situation, that Laban had done to him something similar to what he did to his own father?
Genesis 29:23 But when evening came, he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob, and Jacob made love to her.
And what does God want me to learn from this scripture? The danger of duplicity? The cyclical nature of deception? The frustration and futility of planning your own way, of insisting on your plan, regardless of God’s will? Lord, I’m listening. Help me to understand.
Genesis 29:24 And Laban gave his servant Zilpah to his daughter as her attendant.
Precious Savior, My heart hurts for so many of these people, and it is frustrating to realize that greed and selfishness are the cause of all the pain. But I know that I sometimes default to greed and selfishness, too. Forgive me. Help me, when I start down the road that leads to greed and selfishness, to stop, turn around, and return to You. Help me, Jesus. Amen.
Genesis 29:25 When morning came, there was Leah! So Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? I served you for Rachel, didn’t I? Why have you deceived me?”
Have a blessed day.