Finish this week's celebration, and we will give you the younger one in return for another seven years of work." Finish this week’s celebrationIn the context of ancient Near Eastern customs, wedding celebrations often lasted a week. This phrase refers to the completion of Leah's bridal week. The cultural practice was to honor the bride with a full week of festivities, which underscores the importance of marriage in the community. This period was a time of joy and feasting, reflecting the communal nature of marriage. The completion of this week was necessary before any further marital arrangements could be made. and we will give you the younger one
Laban's promise to give Rachel, the younger daughter, to Jacob highlights the cultural significance of birth order and marriage customs. Typically, the elder daughter would marry first, but Laban's deception led to Leah's marriage to Jacob. This phrase indicates Laban's willingness to fulfill Jacob's original desire to marry Rachel, albeit under manipulated circumstances. The mention of "the younger one" also foreshadows the ongoing theme of sibling rivalry and favoritism, which is prevalent throughout Genesis. in return for another seven years of work.
This phrase emphasizes the concept of servitude and labor as a form of dowry or bride price, which was common in ancient times. Jacob's agreement to work another seven years for Rachel demonstrates his deep love and commitment to her. The number seven is significant in biblical numerology, often symbolizing completeness or perfection. This additional period of service also reflects the broader biblical theme of patience and perseverance in the face of trials. Jacob's experience can be seen as a type of Christ, who also endured suffering and labor for the sake of His bride, the Church. Persons / Places / Events 1. JacobThe grandson of Abraham, son of Isaac, and brother of Esau. He is in Haran working for Laban to marry Rachel. 2. LabanJacob's uncle and father-in-law, who deceives Jacob by giving him Leah instead of Rachel after seven years of labor. 3. LeahLaban's elder daughter, whom Jacob is tricked into marrying. 4. RachelLaban's younger daughter, whom Jacob loves and originally worked seven years to marry. 5. HaranThe place where Laban and his family live, and where Jacob has fled to escape his brother Esau. Teaching Points Perseverance in AdversityJacob's willingness to work another seven years for Rachel demonstrates perseverance and commitment, even in the face of deceit. The Consequences of DeceptionLaban's deceitful actions serve as a reminder of the moral and relational consequences of dishonesty. God's Sovereignty in Human AffairsDespite human deception, God's plan for Jacob's life continues to unfold, showing His sovereignty and faithfulness. The Value of Patience and Long-SufferingJacob's account encourages believers to exercise patience and trust in God's timing, even when circumstances are challenging. Family Dynamics and God's PlanThe complex family relationships in Jacob's life illustrate how God can work through imperfect situations to fulfill His purposes. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Jacob's experience with Laban reflect the principle of sowing and reaping found in Galatians 6:7? 2. In what ways can we see God's sovereignty at work in Jacob's life, despite Laban's deceit? 3. How can Jacob's perseverance in working for Rachel inspire us in our own commitments and relationships? 4. What lessons can we learn from Laban's actions about the impact of deception on family and community? 5. How does the account of Jacob, Leah, and Rachel encourage us to trust in God's timing and plan for our lives, even when things don't go as expected? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 29:18-30Provides the context of Jacob's agreement with Laban and the subsequent deception. Genesis 31:41Jacob recounts his years of service to Laban, highlighting the hardship and deceit he endured. Hosea 12:12References Jacob's time in Aram (Haran) and his service for a wife, emphasizing the theme of labor and perseverance. Galatians 6:7The principle of sowing and reaping, which can be related to Jacob's experiences of deception and eventual blessing. People Bilhah, Haran, Jacob, Laban, Leah, Levi, Nahor, Rachel, Rebekah, Reuben, Simeon, ZilpahPlaces Paddan-aramTopics Addition, Bridal, Bride-feast, Complete, Daughter's, Fulfil, Fulfill, Return, Servant, Serve, Service, Serving, Seven, Week, Yet, YoungerDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 29:27 4975 week
5654 betrothal
5913 negotiation Genesis 29:16-27 5674 daughters Genesis 29:16-28 5679 dowry Genesis 29:16-30 5095 Jacob, life Genesis 29:18-30 5659 bride Genesis 29:20-30 4926 delay, human Genesis 29:21-30 8716 dishonesty, examples Genesis 29:25-27 5603 wages Genesis 29:27-29 5742 wedding Library The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. )
Ver. 8. "Judah, thou, thy brethren shall praise thee; thy hand shall be on the neck of thine enemies; before thee shall bow down the sons of thy father. Ver. 9. A lion's whelp is Judah; from the prey, my son, thou goest up; he stoopeth down, he coucheth as a lion, and as a full-grown lion, who shall rouse him up? Ver. 10. The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come, and unto Him the people shall adhere." Thus does dying Jacob, in announcing …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old TestamentThe Dispensation of the Divine Favours Reconciled with the Goodness of God.
O God, whose thunder shakes the sky, Whose eye this atom globe surveys, To thee, my only rock, I fly; Thy mercy in thy justice praise. Then why, my soul, dost thou complain? Why drooping seek the dark recess? Shake off the melancholy chain, For God created all to bless.--CHATTERTON. In the preceding part, we considered the doctrine of predestination, under the name of necessity, in its relation to the origin of evil. We there endeavoured to show that it denies the responsibility of man, and …
Albert Taylor Bledsoe—A Theodicy, or, Vindication of the Divine Glory Jesus Works his First Miracle at Cana in Galilee.
^D John II. 1-11. ^d 1 And the third day [From the calling of Philip (John i. 43). The days enumerated in John's first two chapters constitute a week, and may perhaps be intended as a contrast to the last week of Christ's ministry ( John xii. 1). It took two days to journey from the Jordan to Cana] there was a marriage [In Palestine the marriage ceremony usually began at twilight. The feast after the marriage was at the home of the bridegroom, and was sometimes prolonged for several days (Gen. xxix. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Epistle v. To Theoctista, Sister of the Emperor.
To Theoctista, Sister of the Emperor. Gregory to Theoctista, &c. With how great devotion my mind prostrates itself before your Venerableness I cannot fully express in words; nor yet do I labour to give utterance to it, since, even though I were silent, you read in your heart your own sense of my devotion. I wonder, however, that you withdrew your countenance, till of late bestowed on me, from this my recent engagement in the pastoral office; wherein, under colour of episcopacy, I have been brought …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great Question of the Contemplative Life
I. Is the Contemplative Life wholly confined to the Intellect, or does the Will enter into it? S. Thomas, On the Beatific Vision, I., xii. 7 ad 3m II. Do the Moral Virtues pertain to the Contemplative Life? S. Augustine, Of the City of God, xix. 19 III. Does the Contemplative Life comprise many Acts? S. Augustine, Of the Perfection of Human Righteousness, viii. 18 " Ep., cxxx. ad probam IV. Does the Contemplative Life consist solely in the Contemplation of God, or in the Consideration …
St. Thomas Aquinas—On Prayer and The Contemplative Life Departure from Ireland. Death and Burial at Clairvaux.
[Sidenote: 1148, May (?)] 67. (30). Being asked once, in what place, if a choice were given him, he would prefer to spend his last day--for on this subject the brothers used to ask one another what place each would select for himself--he hesitated, and made no reply. But when they insisted, he said, "If I take my departure hence[821] I shall do so nowhere more gladly than whence I may rise together with our Apostle"[822]--he referred to St. Patrick; "but if it behoves me to make a pilgrimage, and …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Genesis 29:27 NIVGenesis 29:27 NLTGenesis 29:27 ESVGenesis 29:27 NASBGenesis 29:27 KJV
Genesis 29:27 Commentaries
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