how many years did jacob work for rachel how many years did jacob work for rachel

He served Laban another full seven years work for Rachel. My best guess (that is all) is that they were married for about 18 years on the basis that it was about 5 years between Paddan-aram and Ephrath and about 6 years before Joseph's 17 birthday. Read over Genesis 29 to familiarize yourself with the story of Jacob and Rachel. Jacob buried her in a tomb near Bethlehem and set up a pillar that reportedly still remains (Genesis 35:16-20). She gave birth to Joseph. Jacob was so shocked! Why does Acts not mention the deaths of Peter and Paul? So Jacob gathered his wives and children and his belongings and he slipped away while Laban was out shearing his sheep. When the seven years were fulfilled at last, Jacob spent his wedding night only to discover at dawn that it wasnt Rachel, but her elder sister Leah whom Laban had delivered to Jacobs tent. At one point a decade passes between 2 verses (Genesis 33:17-18), then the narration continues forward without mentioning Joseph being sold by his brothers. We, too, must willingly suffer for Christ, knowing our ultimate reward will comejust like Jacob won Rachel. Unexpected uint64 behaviour 0xFFFF'FFFF'FFFF'FFFF - 1 = 0? Forced to serve Rachels father, Laban, for seven years to win her, Jacob was tricked at the end of that time into marrying her sister, Leah. He was then allowed to marry Rachel as well, in return for seven more years of labour. At first childless, Rachel eventually gave birth to Joseph and died giving birth to Benjamin. 13:5). Rachels older sister Leah was also unmarried, but their father, Laban, agreed to let Jacob work seven years for Rachels hand in marriage (Genesis 29:18-20). (Q) 30Jacob made love to Rachel also, and his love for Rachel was greater than his love for Leah. How do the interferometers on the drag-free satellite LISA receive power without altering their geodesic trajectory? However, Laban agreed to give Jacob Rachel as well, provided Jacob finish the wedding week with Leah before taking Rachel as a wife, and then work another He was probably furious with the whole family for their double-dealing fraud. What could Rachel have done to overcome her jealous discontentment? 30 For it was little indeed you had before I came, We first meet Jacob in Genesis 25, when he is born as the second of twin boys who comes from the womb grasping his older brothers heel. He told Rachel that he was a relative of her father, Laban. It may not take any longer than the honeymoon for his wife to discover that she married a monster she never really knew. Even the range of 15-22 years is pretty precise, all things given, and pins it down much more than I would have thought possible. He had prospered to such an extent that Laban no longer felt very kindly toward him. He was pastor of Emmanuel Faith Community Church in Escondido, CA from 1972 to 1993 when the Lord called him home. Jacob was far from perfect, but he is an example to us of how a husband ought to treat his wife when she isnt all that she ought to be. Then we shall be able to receive with gratitude what He gives us, and at the same time thank Him for what He denies us, being confident that His ways are perfect. We know that a relationship based primarily on physical attraction rests on a shaky foundation. What is the significance that Jacob offered to work for Laban ,seven years for Rachel ? Here's how we get that number: Now they've been married 13 years. Now Jacob had two wives, Leah and Rachel, both sisters, one he loved and one he did not. Access 50+ premium resources. Jacob suffered to win Rachel. 18 Jacob loved Rachel, so he made this offer to Laban: Ill serve you for seven years for Rachel, your younger daughter.. Jacob worked a total of 20 years for Laban (Gen 31:38). She was envious, selfish, peevish, fretful, discontented, and demanding. When Rachel was near, his heart pounded faster and a wonderful feeling swept over him. He is the one who is responsible for your barrenness. Rachels discontentment led her to the same kind of fleshly scheme Sarah tried. When Jacob met Rachel he kissed her and So if Jacob has already worked 7 years and then agrees to work another 7 years, how many years total did Jacob work for Laban in order to get Rachel as his wife??? He went straight to Laban and started asking him so many questions. I don't know why I didn't think of running through the chronology myself! Episode about a group who book passage on a space ship controlled by an AI, who turns out to be a human who can't leave his ship? Q. But they buried Rachel by the side of the road leading from Bethlehem to Jerusalem. (1958 More. 18 "Now Jacob loved Rachel, so he said, I will serve you seven years This stone has a mysterious past beyond British coronations, Ultimate Italy: 14 ways to see the country in a new light, 6 unforgettable Italy hotels, from Lake Como to Rome, A taste of Rioja, from crispy croquettas to piquillo peppers, Trek through this stunning European wilderness, Land of the lemurs: the race to save Madagascar's sacred forests, When Jacob met Rachel he kissed her and lifted up his voice, and wept (Genesis 29:11). Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. But from the beginning we are a little dubious about the match. The Cross And Unjust Suffering (1 Peter 2:19-25), Living in Love: Secrets from Bible Marriages. It was so late at the wedding that Jacob was too tired to know what was going on. Some of these things are important and need to be talked out. The Cross And Separation From The World (1 Peter 4:1-6), 7. Web28 So Jacob completed another seven years work, and then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife. WebJacob agreed to work seven years for Rachel. That was enough for him. So Jacob went in to Discuss some of the values of a lengthy and close acquaintance before marriage. It says, I feel good when I am with you, so I want to hurry up and get you to the altar before I lose you and lose these good feelings. Love says, Your happiness is what I want most of all, and I am willing to wait, if need be, to be sure this is what is best for you. And if it is real, it will stand the test of time. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. 7. This is to be understood, as C. a Lapide observes, "not affective, but appretiative," i.e., in comparison with the reward to be obtained for his service. Glen : It is a very good answer +1, Seven years wages and most likely a 12 hour day, the then wages amounted to 50 shekels of silver. Jacob agreed, and Bilhah went on to have two sons, Dan and Naphtali. Jacob may have been a homebody, but he was no weakling. The "seven" years may have been more reflective of how much Jacobs ability to work was worth. Likewise, we too are never too far gone for the redeeming love of God. His anger was not right in Gods sight, but his evaluation of the situation surely was. Who were Jacob and Rachel, and what can we learn from their story? To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. 14 YEARS! They can make their marriage succeed, but it will take a little extra effort, and they will need to make their relationship grow far beyond the physical magnetism that got it started. Browse other questions tagged, Like any library, Christianity Stack Exchange offers great information, but, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. STDs are at a shocking high. Song of Solomon 8:6,7 Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame. Give me children or Ill die, she exclaimed to Jacob. And may I remind you that Leah, not Rachel, was the mother of Judah, through whom the Savior would ultimately come (Gen. 29:35). "Signpost" puzzle from Tatham's collection, Passing negative parameters to a wolframscript. By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. Now Jacob had two wives, Leah and Rachel, both sisters, This is where we meet Rachel, the beautiful second daughter of Laban, Jacobs relative in another land (Genesis 29). (This must have been at least 1 year later.). He reminded the shepherds that grazing time was being lost and that they should water their flocks and get them back out to pasture while it was still light, probably a ploy to get rid of them so he could talk to Rachel alone. When she realized that Leah was bearing Jacob children and she was not, she became intensely jealous of her sister and said to Jacob, Give me children, or else I die (Gen. 30:1). He promises to take care of you and protect you in all circumstances. What are the things in your life you would consider of the greatest value? She did bear another son. He continued, Do you know Laban the son of Nahor? We know him, they said. Which reverse polarity protection is better and why? This is what happened with Jacob, he had to work 7 years before being with the love of his life but then found out he had to work another 7 years before his deal He loves us so much He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). This was 11 years after leaving Paddan-aram. 6. Could he have been showing off just a little? Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for professors, theologians, and those interested in exegetical analysis of biblical texts. In fact, Jesus said, There will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent (Luke 15:7). 5. Despite Rachel and Leahs sisterly squabbles and the addition of two more wives into their already crowded marriage, God produced Gods people through what looked like a mess. How Can I Recognize and Understand the Holy Spirit Better? The two wrestled all night; the word wrestled (yeabeq) is another of Genesis wordplays, using Jacobs name (yaaqov) and that of the river (yabboq). Likewise, in spite of our own sin that has the potential to forever separate us from God, God loves us deeply and so passionately that He chases us down in love to win us back to Him and all the good He has in store for us. 8. He wrestles with God one night and endures, and God renames him Israel, because as God said, You have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome (Genesis 32:28). WOW! Did Jacob acquire all his wealth in Paddan Aram in the last 6 years of working for Laban? Eventually, his mother helps him steal Esaus birthright and blessing, and Jacob flees his brothers wrath. Is what Laban said in Genesis 29:26 true? She was saying essentially, if I cant have my own way, Id rather be dead. Here was a woman who had almost everything in lifegreat physical beauty, all the material things she needed, and the adoring devotion of a loving husband. Jacob worked with Labans large flock of sheep for the entirety of those seven years. So Jacob served Laban fourteen years for his two daughters and six years for the cattle a total of twenty years. What could Jacob have done to help her? One night, he dreamed of a ladder going up into heaven. Web29 Jacob replied, You know how faithfully Ive served you through these many years, and how your flocks and herds have grown. We also know that by the time Joseph was 17 years old (Gen 37:2) his mother had been dead for some unknown time before. Article Images Copyright , How Jacob and Rachels Bible Story Show's us God's Love in Action. When Laban heard that his nephew had come, he ran out to meet Jacob. Was Jacob so Sexually driven that He mistook Leah for Rachel? 29 Laban also gave his woman servant Bilhah to his daughter Rachel to be her maidservant. How to subdivide triangles into four triangles with Geometry Nodes? What is this brick with a round back and a stud on the side used for? What is Wario dropping at the end of Super Mario Land 2 and why? Dickering over the value of a bride may have been an insult to the bride. For various reasons, I've always wondered how long Jacob and Rachel were married before her death. She said, With mighty wrestlings I have wrestled with my sister, and I have indeed prevailed (Gen. 30:8). Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. rev2023.5.1.43405. The miracle of Gods guidance and care, the thrill of meeting his pretty cousin, the prospect of what the future would holdall of it filled his heart so full that he wept for joy. Didnt I serve you for seven years in order to marry Rachel? WebNew International Version. NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. How should we view/interpret Jacob's initiative involving the rolling of the stone from the mouth of the well? What's the cheapest way to buy out a sibling's share of our parents house if I have no cash and want to pay less than the appraised value? After the bridal feast, Jacob thought he was consummating the marriage with Rachel, but when morning came he realized hed been fooled. Rachel was the favorite wife of Jacob, who had been earlier tricked into marrying Rachels older sister, Leah, after working for Laban for seven years as a contract for the marriage. All rights reserved, National Geographic explores notable biblical figures in our ongoing series People in the Bible, as part of our coverage of the. How many years Jacob lived in Egypt? 23 That night Laban took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob. There he met a beautiful woman named Rachel. When Joseph was 17 years old, he went to check on his brothers, and they sold him into slavery. Laban told Jacob that in their family customs, the older daughter gets married before the younger daughter. While he was still speaking with them, Rachel came with her fathers sheep, for she was a shepherdess. As our knowledge of Him increases through the study of His Word and through prayerful periods in His presence, we shall find a settled peace and contentment growing within us. Finally, the Bible tells us God remembered Rachel (Genesis 30:22) and allowed her to conceive. Knowing they arrived in Succoth when Joseph was 6 and that they left when he (and Dinah) was 17, we can say they were married about 25 years when she died. The neighborhood beauty and the new boy in town had found each other. It was only one month after Jacob arrived in Haran that Uncle Laban approached him to see if they could work out a mutually acceptable wage arrangement. and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her; for though to lovers time seems long ere they enjoy the object beloved; yet Jacob here respects not so much the time as the toil and labour of service he endured in it; he thought that seven years' service was a trifle, like the service of so many days, in comparison of the lovely and worthy person he obtained thereby; all that he endured was nothing in comparison of her, and through the love he bore to her: besides, the many pleasant hours he spent in conversation with her made the time slide on insensibly, so that it seemed to be quickly gone; which shows that his love was pure and constant. WebJacob served seven years for Rachel, and it seemed only a few days to him because of his love for her. He was made to work for seven years for Rachel and another seven years for Leah. To save chestnut trees, we may have to play God, Why you should add native plants to your garden, What you can do right now to advocate for the planet, Why poison ivy is an unlikely climate change winner, The gory history of Europes mummy-eating fad, This ordinary woman hid Anne Frankand kept her story alive, This Persian marvel was lost for millennia. What part did your kids seem to like the most in this Bible Lesson??? Laban had tricked Jacob and gave him his older daughter, Leah. Jesus willingly sacrificed Himself, dying a brutal death on the cross to pay our sin-debt and thereby serve as the path to heaven for those of us who believe and follow Him. What should I follow, if two altimeters show different altitudes? (N), 28And Jacob did so. (g) Meaning after the years were accomplished. So one day Jacob went to Laban and told him that the 7 years is up and he was ready to marry his daughter. Jacobs overt favoritism toward Rachel had prompted God to keep Rachels womb closed, but Rachels love was ultimately redeemed when she gave birth to a boy named Joseph, Jacobs favorite (Genesis 30:24-25). And Jacob lost his cool, Then Jacobs anger burned against Rachel, and he said, Am I in the place of God, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb? (Gen. 30:2). Please be respectful of copyright. Why did you deceive me?, 26 But Laban responded, Its not the practice of our place to give the younger one in marriage before the firstborn. Her jealous malcontent was seen again a short time later. WebHow many years did Jacob work for Laban, and why did he serve all those years? His twin Esau is a man of the land, a hunter, and the favorite of their father, while Jacob, who preferred to remain at home, was the favorite of their mother. How many years did Jacob serve laban? God wants wives to sense their husbands intense love for them even when they are acting like stinkers (Eph. Jacob was traveling to a place called Paddan Aram. He loved her to the end of his life. Jacob was one of two twin sons born to Isaac and Rebekah. WebWe would like to show you a description here but the site wont allow us. Jacob couldnt believe what had happened. As we are reminded in Romans 8:28, And we know that in all things God works for the goodof those who love him, who have been calledaccording to his purpose.. There is an old saying that goes, True love never runs smoothly. Thats the way it was with Jacob and Rachel. We go on to read, Then Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted his voice and wept (Gen. 29:11). To profess to love someone we do not know intimately is merely to love our mental image of that person. En route to resettle with his father, Isaac, Rachel died giving birth to Jacobs 12th son, Benjamin. And the events that follow should be evidence enough that bigamy was never part of Gods plan for the human race. 24 Laban also gave his servant woman Zilpah to Leah to be her maidservant. When the midwife told her she had given birth to a son, she gasped out his name with her last breathBen-oni, which means Son of my sorrow. Jacob later changed it to Benjamin, Son of my right hand. But isnt it ironic? Shes also produced a free eBook, A God-Centered Life: 10 Faith-Based Practices When Youre Feeling Anxious, Grumpy, or Stressed. And the marital misfortunes of the proverbial football hero and homecoming queen bear it out too. Again his heart must have leaped within him at the realization of Gods faithful direction. That's great, thanks! What differentiates living as mere roommates from living in a marriage-like relationship? The Cross And Our Response to Trials (1 Peter 4:12-19), 8. Only the conclusion of the bargaining is recorded. Jacob had two wives, they were the daughters of Laban, their names were rachel and Leah. More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free! How this animal can survive is a mystery. (O) 29Laban gave his servant Bilhah(P) to his daughter Rachel as her attendant. How could Jacob wrestle with God if no one can see God and live? Laban had given Leah to Jacob. When Jacob confronted Laban, Laban was resolutein their culture, the younger daughter never marries before the older daughter. With a heavy veil over her face and long flowing garments covering her body, she got through the ceremony undetected. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and more. (L) 27Finish this daughters bridal week;(M) then we will give you the younger one also, in return for another seven years of work. The Lord had brought him safely to his destination. Jacob, by now humbled after his treachery and desperate for family ties and a place to call home, falls madly in love with Rachel. What characteristics bother you the most? When Laban finally overtook them and searched their belongings for his terephim, Rachel lied to him and deceived him to keep him from finding them (Gen. 31:33-35). Several factors would have contributed to Jacobs desire to leave. Seven years is a long time to wait, and I think Jacob really did grow to love Rachel during those years. It was not Gods perfect will. THAT IS INSANE GUYS! The answer may be simply that the seven years totaled up to a reasonable value of Jacob's labor which he was willing to "pay" eventually for Rachel and ultimately for Leah. Part boulder, part myth, part treasure, one of Europes most enigmatic artifacts will return to the global stage May 6. Unexpected uint64 behaviour 0xFFFF'FFFF'FFFF'FFFF - 1 = 0? Some women try to buy a man with sex, or trap him with a baby, or lure him with family fortune. Jacob turned his head, took one fateful look, and it was without a doubt love at first sight. And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed to him but a few days, for the love he had to her. That was not exactly the happiest way for Leah to start her married life, was it? 2. Dottard Correct Laban was greedy, he bartered for both of his daughters., Although he played the part of the benevolent uncle, he reduced his blood relationship with Jacob to a service contract. If you have any questions, please review our Privacy Policy or email us at privacy@biblegateway.com. How could Jacob not notice he married Leah instead of Rachel? Am I God? he flared. And Yaquuv worked for Rakhyl seven years, and they were in his eyes as a few days, because he loved her. And Jacob served for Rachel seven years, and they were before him as a few days, by reason of his loving her. Jacob worked seven years for Laban, but the time seemed like only a few days, because he loved Rachel so much. Finding the distance from a corner of a cube to the midpoint of an edge, What are the arguments for/against anonymous authorship of the Gospels. At Jacobs request, they buried him next to Leah in the cave of Machpelah in Hebron beside Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, and Rebekah (Gen. 49:29-31; 50:13). rev2023.5.1.43405. The uncertainty arises from the unknown time between Jacob leaving Paddan-aram and arriving in Ephrath which was presumably at least 2 years (with Bethel in between) and when Joseph was 17 years old. Jacob and Rachels love story pales in comparison to the mighty, never-ending love God our father has for us. THEN, after all that time, Jacob wakes up to find that he had married the wrong woman! NIV, Biblical Theology Study Bible, Comfort Print: Follow Gods Redemptive Plan as It Unfolds throughout Scripture, NIV, Lucado Encouraging Word Bible, Comfort Print: Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV, Story of Jesus: Experience the Life of Jesus as One Seamless Story, NIV, Beautiful Word Bible Journal, Galatians, Paperback, Comfort Print, NIV, The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People, NIV, Verse Mapping Bible, Comfort Print: Find Connections in Scripture Using a Unique 5-Step Process. Then a few chapters later (Genesis 37) it goes back to that point (at the end of the fast-forwarded decade) and picks up the narrative from a Joseph's perspective and shows the events that led to Jacob abandoning his house in Succoth. Finish the following statement as you might have done before reading this chapter: I could be happy if only . If we had a video livestream of a clock being sent to Mars, what would we see? Jacobs work for Laban wasnt easyit was hard, grueling labor. But Jacob was not willing to believe that God was in control of these circumstances. Isaac was the son of Abraham, the miracle child borne of Sarah in their old age. Oh my goodness, guys! Why did Jacob insist that Joseph's sons were his? Throughout Scripture, we hear God often described as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Deuteronomy 9:5, Matthew 22:32, Acts 3:13), in honor of Gods covenantal promise that He would make their children numerous and give them land and other great blessings. It only takes a minute to sign up. All rights reserved worldwide. See. Laban agreed on the deal again and gave Rachel to be Jacobs wife. Lets talk about what your wages should be., 16 Now Laban happened to have two daughters. Armed with that precious promise of Gods presence, Jacob headed for Haran, the land of his mothers family. What ensued was a love triangle that expanded to include the sisters maidservants and many years of bitter jealousy and competition. But he had to work seven more years without pay after marrying her. Jacob was so shocked! Jacob did not have to wait seven more years for Rachel, only one week. One, we can understand thatlike Jacobin spite of our sins and weaknesses, we can still be reconciled to God. 30 Jacob also married Rachel, since he loved her. Big-hearted Laban offered to give Rachel to Jacob as well if he would work for seven more years. Learn more about her fiction and read her faith blog at jessicabrodie.com. Required fields are marked *. According to Gensis 29:16-18,He worked 7 years for Rachel, and was deceived and was given Leah. But he prevented Rachel from conceiving. Review Activity BibleWise has a great activity to do with your kids to help them retain the Bible Story. And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her. Could it be that the loneliness in our lives or the conflicts in our relationships are the result of an underlying spirit of discontentment? And if he does not measure up to our mental image, then our so-called love turns to disillusionment and resentment, and sometimes to hatred. 29 Laban also gave his woman servant Bilhah to his daughter He moved a stone that normally took several people to move, and watered all of Rachels sheep. Time travel in this animation through the history of the Bible. Now as for me, when I came from Paddan, Rachel died, to my sorrow, in the land of Canaan on the journey, when there was still some distance to go to Ephrath; and I buried her there on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem) (Gen. 48:7). And we shall be able to change what can be changed, while joyfully accepting what cannot be changed, being assured that it is part of His perfect plan to bring us to maturity in Christ. We get the idea that he was so fascinated by Rachels beauty, and so enchanted by her charm, that he failed to recognize her shortcomings or even to consider the will of God in his relationship with her. Have your kids tell God how much they love Him for all that He is! Christianity Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for committed Christians, experts in Christianity and those interested in learning more. [That is Joseph was about 11 years old when Rachel died??] Genesis 29:15-30. Judah left home, went to the area of Adullum, got married and had some kids (Genesis 38:1-5), Jacob, distraught beyond measure, packed up the family and they left their house in Succoth, arriving first in Shechem where he bought a plot of land to pitch his tent, This is where Dinah (17) was sexually violated, then her brothers killed all the men of the town and the family had to flee. God told Jacob that it was time to leave Uncle Laban and go back home to Canaan. (I), 25When morning came, there was Leah! This newfound behavior may offer a clue to how these reptiles will respond to a warming planet.