Here is a question I might use to start my Sabbath School class discussion:

In what ways is the story of Jacob and Rachel a story of love - and a story of dislike and near hatred?

The terms "dislike and near hatred" are hard for me to reconcile with Jacob's feelings for Leah.

His feelings toward Laban, on the other hand might have included those terms - but then one wouldn't expect Jacob to retaliate against Laban by treating Leah poorly.

Or would one?



BTW, I really enjoy your comments on the S.S.lessons each week!

There's the old saying - "All's fair in love and war." Sometimes I think the two are about the same, especially with some people. Jacob could have been one of those.

However, the SDA Commentary seems to bring out the fact that Leah had quite a few children whose father was Jacob so there must have been some attraction between the two. Of course, you can do tender things for selfish reasons.

I would have to say Jacob does not win my respect in connections with his actions, nor does Rachel seem to be the beauty who shows her true nature in her hatred for her sister. Even God sees the hatred for Leah and opens her womb while Rachel remains barren. Jacob doesn't seem to have any problems of conflict with the custom of going into the handmaids of the wives to "supply" children. Its interesting to consider Leah, and being firstborn and the custom concerning her being married first. Here again Jacob tries to beat the "firstborn" custom as with his brother only this time he is the victim. Perhaps God was teaching him something after all?! Just thinking out loud.

He had no choice! To live with a woman you didn't love after working and waiting 7 yrs for someone you truly love, would be a living hell. And if he didn't marry both and they all lived together, it would sooner or later result in adultery.

And here's a question: When Eliezer was sent on an errand to find a wife for Isaac, he prayed and met the right one, Rebekah. Jacob goes to Padan Aram, and the Bible does not record that he prayed for anything like Eliezer did, but still met the very one, the one to become his wife. The question is: Does prayer make a difference? Would Eliezer not found Rebekah had he not prayed? How much better would it have turned out for Jacob had he prayed?

Gerry

Jacob suffered the consequence of fulfilling the plan in a negative process and not merely because the "firstborn" custom was destroyed in his time. Well, he is now the victim of the same reason, "lie". But his love was directed to how he put determination on himself to serve another 7 years just to get he wants and who he loves most. In this situation, he still rule out the significance of firstborn by suffering another 7 years in serving Laban just to get Rachel.

He didn't have his 7 or is it 70 virgins, but he did have four; and he didn't have to blow himself up to get them!

Gerry

yep... no pressure on him for it was all free flow.but beyond those sticky women, only rachel that he worked out for, the rest are all stickers. imagine the 7 years of service to know that he was deceived by not telling earlier the custom, and serve another 7 years just to get rachel...

and oh! that would be nice if Jacob prayed before he took his first step in acquiring rachel. right? like what youv'e said, in the case of eliezer, he did prayed thought it's not Isaac who really asked by prayer

James423
Is there any particular reason that Jacob didn't have a dowry to present to Laban for a suitable wife? Just was wondering if it had been because of the deception or what?