LastCall: Genesis 29:21-35 "You Reap What You Sow" -Bob Caldwell

You Reap What You Sow  "So it came to pass in the morning, that behold, it was Leah. And he said to Laban, 'What is this you have done to me? Was it not for Rachel that I served you? Why then have you deceived me?'…'When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren.'" -Genesis 29:25, 31 We see in this passage Jacob reaping what he had sown. By deception Jacob sought to assure himself of the promise God had given concerning him just before his birth. Remember it was Jacob's mother, Rebekah, who had been told by God that Jacob, not Esau, the firstborn, would be the patriarch of the family line. This family line would produce the 12 tribes of Israel and ultimately the promised Messiah (25:21-26). But everything seemed to be against this ever happening. Their father Isaac disregarded this prophetic promise and was about to give the headship of the family to Esau. All this added up to a great impossibility in the eyes of Jacob and Rebekah. So they took things into their own hands to "help God." But, as Jacob will learn, God does not need the help of the sinful manipulative actions of our unbelieving hearts to fulfill His promises. Jacob is going to learn what it feels like to be manipulated and deceived by his uncle Laban. God will use these trials that are the result of manipulation to shape Jacob's character and heart. As it was with Jacob, so it is with us. Often we are tempted to bring about God's purposes in our lives with actions that are rooted in unbelief and a false confidence in ourselves to bring about things that must be done first and foremost by God's sovereign power. One other thing must briefly be noted in this section. It is God's grace that comforts and blesses those who become innocent victims of the manipulative actions of others. God saw the hurt that the actions of Laban had caused Leah. Seeing this, God blessed her desire to bear children. As Christ's servants, may we do the same in this world full of injustice.
Genesis 29:21-35  21 Then Jacob said to Laban, "Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in to her." 22 And Laban gathered together all the men of the place and made a feast. 23 Now it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter and brought her to Jacob; and he went in to her. 24 And Laban gave his maid Zilpah to his daughter Leah as a maid. 25 So it came to pass in the morning, that behold, it was Leah. And he said to Laban, "What is this you have done to me? Was it not for Rachel that I served you? Why then have you deceived me?" 26 And Laban said, "It must not be done so in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn. 27 Fulfill her week, and we will give you this one also for the service which you will serve with me still another seven years." 28 Then Jacob did so and fulfilled her week. So he gave him his daughter Rachel as wife also. 29 And Laban gave his maid Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as a maid. 30 Then Jacob also went in to Rachel, and he also loved Rachel more than Leah. And he served with Laban still another seven years. The Children of Jacob 31 When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren. 32 So Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben; for she said, "The LORD has surely looked on my affliction. Now therefore, my husband will love me." 33 Then she conceived again and bore a son, and said, "Because the LORD has heard that I am unloved, He has therefore given me this son also." And she called his name Simeon. 34 She conceived again and bore a son, and said, "Now this time my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons." Therefore his name was called Levi. 35 And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, "Now I will praise the LORD." Therefore she called his name Judah. Then she stopped bearing.
v. 22 Made a Feast – There would customarily be a week-long feast in celebration of a marriage. v. 23 Took Leah – Because she was veiled and it was dark when she was brought into Jacob's tent, Jacob was unaware she was Leah. v. 25 Deceived Me – Jacob who had used deception to acquire his father's blessing is now experiencing the injustice and pain as the recipient of deception. v. 26 Not Be Done – This was a defenseless excuse since this information was not given prior to the ceremony. v. 27 Fulfill Her Week – The marriage feast continued for seven days, as well as the "honeymoon" of the couple. Another Seven Years – Laban now capitalizes on his deception by getting an agreement for another seven years of labor from Jacob. v. 30 Another Seven Years – Rachel was given to Jacob in advance of the years being served. Birth Of Jacob's Sons (Verses 31-35) v. 31 God Saw – God reveals His character as One who cares for the personal pain and trouble of those who suffer at the hands of others. Leah Was Unloved – Jacob reveals the bitterness he felt and the limits he placed upon his ability to love. v. 32 Reuben – Means "See, a son" and is named this because God had seen her sorrow. v. 33 Simeon – Means "hearing" and refers to God as the One who had heard her heart cry. v. 34 Now This Time – Here again we see the hurt this arrangement created in Leah's life. Laban may have thought he was protecting his daughter from hurt by assuring that she was married. However, as is always the case, you cannot bring the good you hope for through ungodly means. Levi – Means "attached," referring to Leah's hope of loving intimacy with Jacob because of the three sons she had born him. v. 35 Judah – Means "praise," which Leah offered to the Lord, even though her heart had been broken by the hurt this marriage caused her.

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