Jacob was at odds with his brother Esau from birth. Prophesied to rule over him, Jacob traded for Esau’s birthright and deceived his father Isaac into blessing him instead. Having to flee Esau’s anger, Jacob went to his uncle Laban to look for a wife. He meets Laban’s daughter Rachel, and stays at Laban’s home.

Laban was quite wealthy, and Jacob began to work under him as a shepherd. Laban offered to pay Jacob for his work, and let him choose his wages.

“Now Jacob loved Rachel; so he said, ‘I will serve you seven years for Rachel your younger daughter.’ And Laban said, ‘It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to another man. Stay with me.’” (Genesis 29:18-19)

Notice that Laban did not say ‘Yes, I agree’ to this proposal. He implies it, but presumably was already plotting his trickery. Jacob worked seven years as agreed, and when the time’s up, he bluntly demands to be given Rachel. 

Laban has a big feast to celebrate, and has Leah brought to Jacob. The next morning, Jacob realizes the deceit. Just as Rebekah had him trick his father Isaac by pretending to be his brother, so has he been tricked by Laban using 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?’ And Laban said, ‘It must not be done so in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn. Fulfill her week, and we will give you this one also for the service which you will serve with me still another seven years.’” (Genesis 29:25-27)

This is a threadbare excuse. Even if this was their custom, it would be Laban’s responsibility to let Jacob know this beforehand instead of tricking him. But Jacob realizes the situation he is in. What he has done to his family is thrown back in his own face. The swindler has been swindled. 

But Jacob does not seem to react in outrage. “Then Jacob did so and fulfilled her week. So he gave him his daughter Rachel as wife also.” (Genesis 29:28) He had the rug pulled from under him by Laban, but he was willing to make that commitment to Rachel. Jacob had already received a vision about God’s will and glory, but this is where he begins to grow to be the kind of person God wants him to be.

Art: Jim Padgett via Sweet Publishing / FreeBibleimages.org