This chapter; and indeed the following ones show God's dealings with Jacob. Interestingly; the previous event in chapter 28 showed Jacob stating that if he was blessed; that he would serve the God of Israel. One would think that was what he was doing previously with his upbringing. It is interesting to note at least he didn't make the commitment before he was ready to make it sincerely; and the Lord had to "one up" many of his earlier tactics to demonstrate that He was truly the one in control and to refine him.
It is also interesting seeing the disingenuous gleeful response that Laban showed Jacob in verse 13 and 14. He had learned something; of God's blessings with Isaac earlier and Rebecca. It was his own gain; however which motivated him; much like with Jacob's manipulations. He started a pay arrangement after a month; and interestingly it was Jacob himself who decided to make the terms of marriage as far as the length of servitude of seven years; surely he could have requested her sooner. Then; of course came the "coup de gras" as it were; apparently he didn't see anything with the overnight consummation of the marriage; this shows how little he cared not to at least want to see her face to face but instead being smitten by external beauty. Thus; Laban had the upper hand and stuck him for another seven years for Rachel. The Lord had the final say here to demonstrate to Jacob that he was going to bless the woman who Jacob despised for fleshly reasons; by blessing her with children. It would take some time for Rachel later on to catch up. Again; a covenant of marriage no matter how informal the ceremony was still an arrangement recognized by God and Jacob had to deal with it. It would appear that both marriages were accepted by the Lord; but clearly contention and strife resulted from such arrangements. In all this; of course God's purposes for the tribes which would be the patriarchs of Israel were fulfilled.
It is also interesting seeing the disingenuous gleeful response that Laban showed Jacob in verse 13 and 14. He had learned something; of God's blessings with Isaac earlier and Rebecca. It was his own gain; however which motivated him; much like with Jacob's manipulations. He started a pay arrangement after a month; and interestingly it was Jacob himself who decided to make the terms of marriage as far as the length of servitude of seven years; surely he could have requested her sooner. Then; of course came the "coup de gras" as it were; apparently he didn't see anything with the overnight consummation of the marriage; this shows how little he cared not to at least want to see her face to face but instead being smitten by external beauty. Thus; Laban had the upper hand and stuck him for another seven years for Rachel. The Lord had the final say here to demonstrate to Jacob that he was going to bless the woman who Jacob despised for fleshly reasons; by blessing her with children. It would take some time for Rachel later on to catch up. Again; a covenant of marriage no matter how informal the ceremony was still an arrangement recognized by God and Jacob had to deal with it. It would appear that both marriages were accepted by the Lord; but clearly contention and strife resulted from such arrangements. In all this; of course God's purposes for the tribes which would be the patriarchs of Israel were fulfilled.
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