A Lamp Unto My Feet Bible Study Website
GENESIS 29:1-30
Lesson #44
REAPING THE REWARD
- Memory verse: Hebrews 12:7
- Read Gen 29:1-30 Jacob reaps his reward
- Jacob had traveled about 500 miles from his home.
- It was not by chance that Jacob came to that particular well, nor was it by chance that Rachel came to the well.
- There are no chance happenings or accidents in a world governed by God, even when the believer is not seeking God’s specific direction.
- God told Jacob he would be with Him wherever he went. (28:15)
- Jacob wanted to be alone with Rachel (7), but his plan was spoiled.
- The large stone covering the well was never removed until all the flocks were present.
- It usually took 10-20 men to remove one of those stones, but Jacob did it himself. (10)
- Jacob’s unusual response (11):
- Three times in verse 10 a reference is made to Jacob’s mother.
- Remember that he had a very close relationship with his mother.
- He is probably feeling very homesick about now.
- Therefore, we see him kiss Rachel (on the hand was the custom) and he weeps (11) probably out of homesickness.
- The humbling of Jacob:
- Lesson #1 The served becomes the server
- On meeting Laban, Jacob is told he is not a free guest. He must serve for his room and board. (15)
- Jacob sought to obtain a position of dignity and honor when he stole the birthright and blessing from his brother. The blessing said that others would serve him.
- However, he will first have to pay for his deception by learning to serve others. (Hos 12:12) He would not submit to God’s timing regarding the giving of the birthright, so he must submit to the timing of a human master.
- Lesson #2 Respect for the firstborn
- Jacob had no respect for the rights of the firstborn when he bargained for the birthright with his older brother.
- Jacob discovers that the rights of the firstborn would prevent him from having the wife he wanted. He would learn to respect the rights of the firstborn.
- At the end of the first 7 years, he carelessly asks Laban, “give me my wife.” (21)
- He does not ask for Rachel by name. Why didn’t Jacob know he had the wrong girl?
- God puts spiritual blindness on him.
- The wedding veil was heavy.
- Perhaps he was drunk with celebrating.
- It was dark.
- Lesson #3 Patience
- Jacob was impatient and did not wait on God to give him the birthright and blessing.
- He would now learn to be patient for 7 years.
- Remember that number 7 is God’s perfect number of completeness.
- He would work 7 years for a wife.
- Laban gave him Leah. Then, one week after that wedding, he married Rachel.
- He would have to work another 7 years to fulfill his obligation for Rachel.
- Then he worked another 7 years for flocks of animals.
- 3 x 7 = 21 years served.
- Lesson #4 The deception of the deceiver
- Jacob was a deceiver from his birth. Remember that the meaning of his name was “deceiver” or “supplanter”.
- He would now learn what it was like to be deceived.
- The basic Biblical principle: Whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap. (Gal 6:7 2Cor 9:6)
- Do we see this principle work out in the overall scheme of things in the Bible? Yes!
- Lesson #1 The served becomes the server
| The sowing: | The reaping: |
| The pharaoh in Egypt gave orders that every baby Hebrew boy should be drowned
(Exo 1:22) |
Pharaoh died by drowning in the Red Sea when he followed the Israelites into the sea.
(Exo 14:28) |
| Korah caused a split in the congregation of Israel.
(Num 16:2-3) |
Korah died when God caused the earth to split and swallow him up. (Num 16:30) |
| Wicked King Ahab caused the death of Naboth and the dogs came and licked up his blood.
(1Kin 21:19) |
The chariot in which Ahab died was washed in the pool of Samaria and dogs liked up his blood. (1Kin 22:38) |
| King Asa caused the feet of the prophet of God to be put into stocks. (2Chr 16:10) | God punished Asa when his feet became diseased. (1Kin 15:23) |
| Haman prepared a gallows for Mordecai in the book of Esther. | Haman died on the gallows he had built for others.
(est 7:10) |
| The apostle paul (saul) stood by participating in the stoning of stephen. (act 7:58) | The apostle paul was himself stoned at lystra by the jews.
(Act 14:19) |
| Jacob deceived his father and brother to obtain the birthright and the blessing.
(Gen 25:27-34 Gen 27) |
Jacob was deceived twice by Laban:
For Rachel For flocks of animals |
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- The character of Laban:
- Laban was an opportunist who took advantage of every situation for his own benefit.
- Laban was a master deceiver, just like Jacob.
- Why do you think God put Laban in Jacob’s life?
- A sovereign God places people in our lives so that we might learn God’s lessons in the school of personal relationships.
- What better way to teach a deceiver not to deceive than to place another deceiver in Jacob’s life.
- The character of Laban:
God’s Poetic Justice – Heb 2:2
| The deception: | The reward: |
| Jacob deceived his father to get the blessing. (Gen 27) | Jacob was deceived by his father-in-law over his wife.
(Gen 29) |
| Jacob, the younger son, assumed the identity of the older son to deceive his father. (Gen 27) | Leah, the older daughter, assumed the identity of the younger daughter to deceive Jacob. (Gen 29) |
| Jacob’s mercenary character caused him to buy the birthright for an undervalued price. (Gen 25) | Laban changed Jacob’s wages 10 times over 20 years.
(Gen 31:41) |
| Jacob’s deception of his father regarding his father’s favorite son involved covering his arms with the skins of goats. (Gen 27:16) | When Jacob became a father, his sons deceived him over the supposed death of Joseph, his favorite son, with the skins of goats. (Gen 37:31) |
- Important note: God visits a just recompense of reward on his own children here in this world, not in anger, but in chastening love so that the believer will correct his behavior. This is the case with Jacob.
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- Sometimes God visits a just recompense of reward on non-believers here in this world.
- However, most often God reserves punishment for the wicked at the great white throne judgment when the books shall be opened and they shall be judged according to their works for all eternity.
- It is better to endure chastening now on this earth than in eternity.
- Rachel and Leah:
- Leah was the oldest and evidently God’s perfect choice for Jacob because it is through Leah’s son, Judah, that Christ came.
- Rachel’s name means = “ewe” (doe eyed)
- Leah’s name means = “cow” (weak eyed)
- The girls were named for the flocks that sustained the family business.
- Again we see the multiplicity of problems in a polygamous family. Hatred and jealousy arise between the two sisters at the end of chapter 29 and into chapter 30.
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Homework
Genesis 29:31-30:43
- Application of Gen 29:1-30
- God wants us to learn the lessons He places in our life. If we don’t learn them, we are destined to repeat the lessons.
- Examine your own life in light of your character defects for patterns similar to those experienced by Jacob.
- What patterns and lessons do you see?
- Thank God for the lessons He wants to teach you because it means He loves you. Ask Him to help you learn the lessons He has placed before you.
- God wants us to learn the lessons He places in our life. If we don’t learn them, we are destined to repeat the lessons.
- Preparation for Gen 29:31-30:43
- Read Gen 29:31-35 and Gen 30:1-24
- Make a chart of all Jacob’s sons along with their 4 mothers.
- Read Gen 29:31-35 and Gen 30:1-24
- Memory verse: Deuteronomy 8:5
