Study From the Book of Genesis,29

Study From the Book of Genesis,29

Today we study chapter 29 of the Book of Genesis. I choose one biblical principle and its lesson which is useful in Biblical Counselling.

Shepherds would naturally gather at a well. As it was the case of Abraham’s servant, it was also for Jacob who met Rachel at a well perhaps at the same well. Because God allowed a number of significant events to occur at wells, the wells become a symbol of God’s blessings and care.

Rachel is a term of endearment, meaning “Ewe Lamb.” As the daughter of Jacob, her mother’s brother, Rachel was a cousin of Jacob. Rachel’s arrival at the moment is a mirror of Rebekah’s action to Abraham’s servant so long ago. Again, God’s timing is perfect.

Doubtless Jacob had heard the story of his mother’s encounter with the servant of Abraham many times. He knew their meeting was from God. Leah was Rachel’s older sister. Her name may be a term of endearment meaning “Wild Cow.” Rachel’s description   is similar to the discerption of Sarai and of Rebekah.

Jacob love to Rachel was a rare example of “love at the first sight.” The long seven years of service provides a stunning demonstration of the value Jacob placed on Rachel. The seven years of service seemed only a few days, a rare statement in the Bible on romantic love.

The public feast in recognition of the union made the marriage between Jacob and Leah official-even though Leah was the wrong woman. After Jacob discovered that he married the Leah, he told his uncle that he was deceived. Jacob the deceiver had been deceived by his uncle Laban. Laban’s response by saying that it is a cultural custom of the older daughter to get married first is doubtful.

Laban deceived Jacob to get another seven years work from him. Jacob loved Rachel so much that he was willing to work another seven years. The Lord graciously enabled Leah to conceive a child because she was unloved. Although Rachel was the loved wife of Jacob, she could not conceive. She desired Leah’s ability to conceive, and Leah desired the love that Jacob showered on Rachel.

Leah praised God for giving her a son. Perhaps Leah joyfully should “Behold a son!” at Reuben’s birth. The name of Simon, the second son was the fact that the Lord hears. He had heard Leah’s prayers and He knew about her tragic relationship with Jacob.

Later, God chose the tribe of Levi (the third son of Jacob and Leah) to become priests and caretakers of the tabernacle, the name Levi implied “Attached to the Lord.” Leah conceived again and bore the fourth son and said “now I will praise the Lord.” Therefore, she called his name Judah. Judah was the great- great grandfather of the Lord Jesus in flesh as in Math.1 and Luke3.  Then Leah stopped bearing.

Structure

Verses: 1-14: Jacob meets Rachel.

Verses 15-30: Jacob marries Leah and Rachel.

Verses 31-35: the children of Jacob from Leah.

Principle 50: verse 29:35:  ---“And she conceived again and bore a son, and said. ‘Now I will praise the Lord.’ Therefore, she called his name Judah---.”

Lesson 48: Leah hoped to find happiness, first in the love of her husband, then in the blessings of sons. But in the end she began to see that lasting contentment can be found only in an intimate relationship with God. (29/03/2026).