29
1 So Jacob went on his journey and came to the land of the people of the east.
Picking up from the end of chapter twenty eight: Jacob has just had his first encounter with the Lord where he was giving the blessing of Abraham, from God Almighty. Jacob’s spirits are now lifted from this encounter. Undoubtedly, before the dream (Which today is known as Jacob’s ladder), Jacob was very down on himself. He was all alone in his journey to the land of Haran, (No one to talk to, just his thoughts) the land of his mother Rebekah, the land of his grandfather Abraham. One can only imagine what must have been going through Jacob’s mind as he journeyed to the east. It was probably bittersweet. On the one hand, he is all alone, his family far behind him now, thoughts of times past, a time of reflection, saddened, maybe even humbled a little bit, not knowing if he would ever see his father and mother again, a brother, his only brother, whom he deceived, and now wants to kill him. Was it all worth it? he might have thought to himself at one time or another. Maybe even regretting what he had done. The lord appeared to him at the right time. His spirits now lifted, by faith Jacob journey’s on, with a new sense of hope and purpose. until he finally arrives to his destination (Ps 23:1-6).
2 And he looked, and saw a well in the field; and behold, there were three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks. A large stone was on the well’s mouth. 24:10, 11 3 Now all the flocks would be gathered together there; and they would roll the stone from the well’s mouth, water the sheep, and put the stone back in it’s place on the well’s mouth.
We read here that there were three flocks of sheep lying by the well. There are certain numbers in the bible that have spiritual meanings behind them. probably the most popular number is seven, signifying perfection. The number three pictures completeness, yet not as significant as the number seven. A few examples of the number three, or should I say, things that occurred in three’s can be found in the scriptures. first, before the flood were three patriarchs: Abel, Enoch and Noah: Enoch walked with God for 300 years after he fathered Methuselah. Noah had three sons. After the flood we have Abraham Isaac and Jacob. Jesus prayed three times in the Garden of Gethsemane before His arrest. Jesus was also placed on the cross the 3rd hour of the day, and died on the 9th hour (3 pm), Darkness covered the land for three hours while He suffered on the cross, He was in the grave three days and three nights (Fulfilling the only prophecy that Jesus gave as to how long He would be in the tomb). In 2 Corinthians. 12:2-4 Paul describes that he was in the third heaven which he describes as “Paradise.” I could go on and on where the number three is found in the scriptures, there are over 426 referenced verses in the KJV bible that have the number three, or three hundred mentioned. I have not read them all, but the ones I have read do seem to have a sign of completeness when used in the scriptures. With this said, the three flocks that are seen by Jacob, in my opinion could represent a sense of completeness as far as his journey to the land of Haran.
4 And Jacob said to them, “My brethren, where are you from?” and they said, “We are from Haran.” 5 Then he said to them, “Do you know Laban the son of Nahor?” And they said, “We know him.” 28:2 6 So he said to them, “Is he well?” And they said, “He is well. And look, his daughter Rachel is coming with the sheep.” 24:11, 15 7 Then he said, “Look, it is still high day; it is not time for the cattle to be gathered together. Water the sheep, and go and feed them.” 8 But they said, “We cannot until all the flocks are gathered together, and they have rolled the stone from the well’s mouth; then we water the sheep.” Ex. 2:16, 17
Indeed, Jacob has made it to the land of his mother Rebekah, and his patriarch Abraham. Jacob also encounters his future love at the well (Rachel). In verse seventeen of this chapter Rachel is described as beautiful in both form and appearance. Before he left Beersheba his father commanded him to take a wife of Laban daughters, his mother’s brother. Upon seeing Rachel approaching the well, and hearing that she is the daughter of Laban, it probably didn’t slip past his mind of what Isaac had commanded him. But Jacob’s thoughts were more fixed on the flocks of sheep at the well, and the livestock. After the cordiality’s, Jacob’s attention is drawn to the livestock and how the shepherds are handling them. Jacob makes a suggestion to them about the care of the animals. This is the first time where we see that Jacob was very knowledgeable about livestock. All we had ever heard about him in the past is that he was a simple man who lived in the tents. by that description one wouldn’t surmise that he was a shepherd. all we have seen of Jacobs character up to now is that of a deceiver (As his name suggest). There is more to Jacob than what we have read thus far. We can also see that he is a very cordial person by the way he speaks to the other shepherds in a polite manner.
9 Now while he was still speaking with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep, for she was a shepherdess. 10 And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother’s brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother’s brother, that Jacob went near and rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother’s brother. 11 Then Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice and wept. 12 And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father’s relative and that he was Rebekah’s son. So she ran and told her father. 24:28; 28:5
Now that Rachel has drawn nearer the well, her beauty undoubtedly catches Jacob’s attention. Right away he starts to assist her in watering her flock of sheep, he removes the stone away from the well. The stones that covered these wells back then were large and heavy, probably taken two, maybe even three men to remove. there May be a little bit of machismo on Jacobs part here in trying to impress Rachel with his strength by rolling the stone away all by himself. Jacob is so elated that he has finally reached his destination that he kisses Rachel, of course it is probably on the hand, cheek, or forehead. Jacob cries with elation. He has made it to his mothers family. Jacob had to leave his own family behind, so now he feels as if he is home again, around loved ones. Could this have been the same well that Eliezer, Abraham’s servant, whom he sent to find a wife for his son Isaac? We don’t know, but it is something that just crossed my mind, so I thought it would be nice for the reader to ponder such a thought for a minute. and how fitting it would be if it was indeed. In Eliezer’s case, (Who went to find a wife for Isaac), as in the case of Jacob here, who was commanded by his father to take a wife from Rebekah’s brother Laban’s daughters; upon arriving in the land of Haran their future wives is the first woman they encounter. Rebekah and Rachel are both heaven sent, from God almighty! Yet in Jacob’s case, in my opinion, God will use Rachel to humble Jacob, and to give him a taste of his own medicine as far as his deceptive practices. As we will see it will be some years before he will be able to marry Rachel.
13 Then it came to pass, when Laban heard the report about Jacob his sister’s son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him and kissed him, and brought him to the house. So he told Laban all these things. 14 And Laban said to him, “Surely you are my bone and my flesh.” And he stayed with him for a month.
Is Laban’s elation to hear of his sisters son’s arrival out of joy because of the family connection? Or is there more than meets the eye here? We know of Laban’s character when we read about him when Eleizer, Abraham’s servant, came bearing many gifts that he gave to Laban for a wife, for Isaac. Maybe, just maybe, Laban is thinking that Jacob has brought many gifts to give him, which is the reason Laban comes running to meet Jacob. Jacob’s big mistake is telling Laban all that happened in Beersheba and why he is there. Jacob has no where else to turn to, so he stays with Laban for a month. Of course, as I like to state every now and then, this is my own opinion as I feel God’s spirit moves me.
15 Then Laban said to Jacob, “Because you are my relative, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me what should your wages be?” 16 Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. 17 Leah’s eyes were delicate, but Rachel was beautiful of form and appearance. 12:11, 14; 26:7 18Now Jacob loved Rachel; so he said, “I will serve you seven years for Rachel your younger daughter.” 19 And Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to another man. Stay with me.” 20 So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed only a few days to him because of the love he had for her.
A month has passed, assuredly during this time it is obvious to Laban that Jacob has affections for Rachel. It is also obvious to him that Jacob can be profitable to him because of his knowledge of livestock, which he has displayed for the short time Jacob has been there. Knowing this, Laban prey’s on Jacob’s affections for Rachel, he say’s to Jacob “since you are my relative” (as to make it appear that out of loyalty to family, Laban has Jacobs best interest at heart), and wants to pay him wages for his service. All the while hoping that Jacob would ask for his daughter in marriage (Which would be a high price to pay), knowing that Jacob has no possessions to offer him, it would take Jacob years of service to earn Rachel as his wife, and prospering Laban tremendously during that time. Sure enough, Jacob offers to work seven years for Laban, in return for Rachel to be his wife. Jacob is so in love with Rachel that he probably would have worked even more years for her if Laban had asked, but he doesn’t, yet it will take fourteen years to free him of the bondage in which Laban has put him under. Jacob just don’t know it yet. God is going to break Jacob little by little, not all at once, in order to humble him.
21 Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go into 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 into 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. Lev. 18:18 29 And Laban gave his maid Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as a maid. 30 Then Jacob also went into Rachel, and he also loved Rachel more than Leah. And he served with Laban still another seven years. 30:26
After the seven years have passed Jacob ask (In a commanding voice), “Give me my wife.” Laban agrees and prepares a marriage feast for his daughter. Laban has had seven years to scheme, and plot his deception on Jacob. He knows that there will be much celebrating of this marriage, including plenty of drinking of wine. Laban figures if he could get Jacob drunk, he will not have all his wits about him on the night of the consummation of the marriage. As was probably the customs and the laws of the day back then, once the marriage has been consummated Laban knows Jacob cannot disavow Leah. Jacob has prospered Laban tremendously by the caring of his livestock, and Laban will milk Jacob for all he’s worth. That night in the tent it is most assuredly very dim lighted, (Probably set up this way by Laban), and with Jacob being under the influence of the alcohol, his sight is most definitely impaired. Leah plays a part in this deception also, on the advice of her father she makes sure the tent is not well lit, and she may be even wearing a veil, out of modesty, or maybe as was the custom of the time as well. and she probably didn’t speak very much so as to hide her identity as much as possible. Does this sound all too familiar? In essence, isn’t this how Jacob deceived his own father in order to obtain the blessing which was meant for Esau his brother? Isaac was of old age, his sight and his hearing was not what it use to be. Jacob took advantage of his fathers impairment to gain the blessing. He said very little to his father so as not to give up his identity (Just as Leah probably did on this night). The next morning Jacob confronts Laban angrily about his deception. Laban is already prepared on how to handle this matter (Remember, he has had seven years to plan this deception). just as the customs are of Jacobs family, the firstborn has favor over the other children. This has to hit a nerve with Jacob, he has been beating at his own game. Laban tells Jacob that if he fulfills Leah’s week: this must be in reference to the wedding feast and how long the feast last with all it’s traditions and ceremonies. Laban is not stupid however, he will not make Jacob wait another seven years (for fear that Jacob might just change his mind and leave), before he can marry Rachel. Laban only makes Jacob wait one week to marry his true love, but in turn he has to serve Laban another seven years. Jacob loves Rachel so much, and he probably thinks to himself, “The first seven years went by so quickly and I wasn’t even married to her during this time, at least she will be my wife during next seven years of service.” So Jacob agrees, and after the week has passed he marries Rachel. The last thing i want to point out is the fact that Jacob had to serve Laban seven years each for Leah and Rachel. As I touched on earlier; seven is the sign of perfection in the scriptures. In this case we see seven times two, which could have a more meaningful significance to the spiritual side of this union. After all a nation will be born out of these marriages, and not just any nation, but a nation unto God, a holy people (Compare Lev 11:44-45, 19:1-2, 20:7,26).
31 When the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren. 30:1 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.”
As I stated back in Genesis five, I think it is important to understand the meaning of the names in the bible, sometimes for the purpose of understanding Bible prophecy, and other times such as now, to understand why these sons were given their prospective names. In these final verses of this chapter, Leah makes a statement about the birth of the child and, understanding the meaning of the name, we can now understand why Leah named them the way she did. In this instance (Verse 32), the key words are; “Leah conceived and bore a son” “Behold a son” is the meaning of Reuben. Also in this particular instance, just a reminder to the reader; it is considered a higher esteem to have sons over daughters. Leah herself even acknowledges this by her statement: that the Lord has seen her affliction, and blesses her with a son, so that her husband will now love her. One other thing I would like to point out at this moment, is for the reader to notice, that after the births of her sons, Leah always acknowledge’s that it is God who blesses her and heard her prayer’s. We must all be reminded that our Great Creator God is the one who gives us all that we have. For we can do nothing without Him, He is the great provider. As Abraham once told Isaac, (And as you will notice from the front page of my website), “The Lord Will Provide” We owe everything we have to Him, for those who believe, Amen!!
(H7205) : ראוּבן : re’ûbên
BDB Definition:
Reuben = “behold a son”
1) the eldest son of Jacob by Leah
2) the tribe descended from Reuben
3) the territory inhabited by the tribe of Reuben
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.
Simeon, the second son of Leah’s. The keywords to Leah’s statement here are, Because the Lord has heard that I am unloved” And again, Leah acknowledge’s God’s hand in this birth.
(H8095) : שׁמעון : shim‛ôn
BDB Definition:
Simeon or Shimeon = “heard”
1) the 2nd son of Jacob by his wife Leah and progenitor of the tribe of Simeon
34 She conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Now this time my husband will become attached to me, because I have bore him three sons.” Therefore his name was called Levi.
Levi, the third son, whose descendants will one day bare the responsibility of tending to the Tabernacle of God, and the Ark of the Covenant. The tribe of Levi will also not be partakers of the inheritance of the other tribes of Israel as far as the land inheritance, Because they will be the priest of God, they shall have “No part in them” I take that to mean that the Levites will be a special Holy people of priest among the children of Israel. Also as stated in the book of Numbers 18:23, “They shall bear their iniquity” (The Israeli nation), until such a higher priest comes to bear the iniquities for all mankind which will be our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (Num 18:20-24), in this verse Leah again acknowledges Gods blessing upon her, and she says, “This time my husband will be attached to me,” and as we look at the Hebrew definition of Levi it means “Joined to” In my opinion, this has a dual reference in the name; the duality being that the Levites are also “attached” to God because He is their inheritance, as I quoted from Numbers 18:20 above.
(H3878) : לוי : lêvı̂y
BDB Definition:
Levi = “joined to”
1) the 3rd son of Jacob by Leah and progenitor of tribe of Levites
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. 49:8-12; Matt. 1:2, 3
Judah, the son from which all the nations of the earth shall be blessed. It is out of the seed of Judah that our Lord Jesus Christ will come from. Upon His shoulders shall all the iniquities of the world be. As in the order of Melchizedek, before Jesus Came, and before the tribe of the Levites was Melchizedek, who was a high priest in which Abraham gave tenth of all that he had (Compare Gen 14:18-20, Heb 5:4-6), just as it says in Hebrews “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek” is it no coincidence that Judah was born right after Levi? I think not!! This is just another example that our Holy Bible and all that is in it is truly God breathed, and His hands are in the every day lives of people, especially of those whom His purpose will be played out on the world stage. It isn’t until the birth of Leah’s fourth son that she say’s, “Now I will praise the Lord.” apparently, even though Leah acknowledges God’s hand in the birth of her first three sons, she does not praise and give God the glory for the sons she has birthed. The Hebrew definition for Judah is “Praised”
(H3063) : יהוּדה : yehûdâh BDB Definition: Judah = “praised” 1) the son of Jacob by Leah 2) the tribe descended from Judah the son of Jacob 3) the territory occupied by the tribe of Judah 4) the kingdom comprised of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin which occupied the southern part of Canaan after the nation split upon the death of Solomon.
After studying verses 31-35, one cant walk away not feeling Leah’s pain. Undoubtedly she was used by her father and forced into a marriage by a man who did not love her. The fact that Jacob was deceived into this marriage probably made him all the more bitter, and unloving towards Leah. As we can see in these verses Leah cries out to the Lord for love and acceptance from her husband. She feels that if she could only bear him a son he would love her, but we see in every instance that this does not happen. One might ask themselves, “why does Jacob sleep with Leah all these times if he doesn’t love her?” On reason could be the carnal nature of man (The lust of the flesh), the other reason could be that Jacobs wants sons, and as we will see in the next chapter Rachel is barren and has not been able to conceive children for him. And then there is God’s divine providence, God had this all planned out since before the foundation of the earth Eph 1:3-6).