JACOB AND TWO WIVES
1. Most of us are familiar with the names Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
2. A time came in Jacob’s life when he wanted to get married. He wanted a wife.
3. Jacob’s father (Isaac) said that his son was not allowed to marry one of the local Canaanites.
4. Isaac said that his son needed to find a wife from somewhere else.
5. Isaac wanted his son to go to an area about 300 miles north of where his family lived.
6. Isaac said that his son could go to this place and find a wife from the household of Laban.
7. Isaac was rather insistent on this point – Gen. 28: 5A – READ.
8. Isaac “sent” his son to the place that he described.
ACCORDING
TO THE INFORMATION IN THE BOOK OF GENESIS JACOB LEFT FOR THIS PLACE HE AND
FOUND IT. SHORTLY AFTER HE ARRIVED IN
THE RIGHT AREA HE SAW A YOUNG WOMAN.
GEN. 29:6 – READ.
A. From what is said Jacob was apparently quite taken with Rachel.
B. The text suggests that he was so excited about this woman that he tried to pull a past one.
C. Notice a little detail from verses 4-7 in Gen. 29 – READ.
D. A beautiful woman and some men who cared for animals were all in the same area.
E. Jacob received all the information that he needed from the men.
F. Since he didn’t have any more use for the men who helped him he tried to get rid of them.
G. He saw an opportunity to speak with a lovely young lady and he wanted some privacy.
H. He tried to send the people who tended the animals back out into the fields (verse 7).
I. He claimed that grazing time was being lost and these men should be on their way.
J. These men should water their flocks and head back to the fields while it was still daylight.
K. Jacob was a shrewd operator. He was slick.
2. Jacob’s interest in this woman is further indicated in verse 11 – READ.
3. A kiss can take many forms.
4. In looking at this story we may at least make this observation:
5. Only a small amount of time passed between his arrival and some physical contact with Rachel.
6. As the story progresses we are told that Jacob quickly moved in with Laban (a relative).
7. After a month passed (verse 14) Jacob was asked about his wages.
8. He was working; what did he want to be paid?
9. Verse 15 of Gen. 29– READ.
10. Jacob knew what he wanted. Verse 17 says that Rachel was “beautiful” and “well favored.”
11. Additional information about her is in verse 18 – READ.
A. This young fellow was in love.
B. He said that he would work seven years to make Rachel his wife.
12. Think about what this chapter describes.
13. Jacob traveled hundreds of miles to get to this place.
14. One of the first ladies that he sees is beautiful.
15. Within a month he says that he wants to make this woman his wife.
16. In a period of about 30 days he comes to the conclusion that he has found true love.
17. Is a month a long enough time to really know someone?
18. Is this amount of time a suitable foundation on which to propose marriage?
19. This was the time frame that Jacob used.
20. He was so interested in Rachel he said he would work for seven years to make her his wife.
A. Today we hear about people who approach marriage in a similar way.
B. Some meet each other and within a month have pledged to get married or they are married.
C. This type of arrangement is often ill advised.
D. Jacob came to realize that there were some things about Rachel that were not too attractive.
E. The Bible does show that Jacob loved this woman.
F. Scripture also reveals something else.
G. This woman had some significant character flaws that were not immediately visible.
21. One of these things is found in Gen. 30:1 – READ.
22. Does this passage not tell us that Rachel was childish?
23. The writer said she was guilty of envy.
24. The information in this verse indicates at least some self-centeredness and a lack of maturity.
25. People may not see this in a month or even six months but it eventually will be discovered.
26. Rachel was a lady who was fretful, discontented, and demanding.
27. She said to her husband “Give me children or I will die.”
28. Had Jacob seen this side of her he might have given a different answer concerning his wages.
29. In Gen. 31:19 we learn that Rachel stole an item (a very important item).
30. It is bad enough to steal. Rachel stole this possession from her father.
31. Thus, on at least on one occasion she was a thief. She stole from her own flesh and blood.
32. In Gen. 31:35 we find that she lied to her family.
33. These are not exactly endearing qualities for a mate.
34. These qualities were not the only character problems she had.
35. She finally had a son (Joseph).
36. The name “Joseph” meant “may he add.”
37. She was not satisfied with one child. She wanted more, more, and more.
38. These qualities and the information presented thus far allows us to make this point.
A. Many decide that the time has come for them to get married.
B. In some cases people are just as impulsive and determined as Jacob.
C. Some make up their minds to marry and they plunge ahead with their plans.
D. There are danger signs or would be danger signs if people would wait, but some do not listen.
E. Parents may beg their children to reconsider a marriage but many do not listen to the advice.
F. The story of Jacob shows that people can make some very unwise choices in regard to marriage.
G. In most marriage ceremonies preachers say something like this:
H. The institution of marriage is not to be entered into lightly or unadvisedly.
I. This is exactly right.
39. Some who are single rush into marriage.
40. Jacob was someone who quickly made up his mind to marry Rachel.
41. We know that the fulfillment of his plans was delayed for 7 years.
42. He had to work seven years to receive his bride.
43. During this time he should have noticed some things.
44. Today some should see red flags and danger signs before they say “I do.”
45. These dangers signs are over overlooked.
46. Those who believe that they are in love are often blind to danger signs.
47. The story of Rachel and Jacob contains an important lesson for anyone who ever gets married.
48. This account tells people to proceed with caution.
49. Be alert to problems; be willing to take input from others; move ahead with care and take some time.
50. We have heard the old expression “haste makes waste.”
51. Many who have married in haste have found out that a hasty choice was a horrible choice.
52. Some in our world have said that “true love waits.”
53. This little saying can be applied to marriage.
54. AS WE LOOK AT THIS STORY THERE IS A SECOND LESSON. THIS POINT APPLIES TO THOSE WHO ARE ALREADY MARRIED.
A. Jacob and Rachel did get married.
B. There were, however, some other events that happened before they got together.
C. Rachel had a sister (Leah).
D. When the wedding day arrived Jacob’s bride was Leah, not Rachel.
E. Laban did not give Jacob the woman he asked for.
F. Jacob, as we can surely imagine, was not happy about the switch.
G. He said that he had been “beguiled” (Gen. 29:25).
55. Jacob’s father in law was a pretty shrewd character.
56. He got Jacob to work for seven years and then gave him someone he didn’t want.
57. When Jacob expressed his unhappiness Laban said, “I have a deal for you.”
58. “You can have Rachel too, but you must agree to work another 7 years.”
59. Jacob agreed. Rachel did become his wife but this didn’t result in marital bliss.
60. There was rivalry between the two sisters.
61. As a husband Jacob favored Rachel above Leah.
62. Leah felt like she was not loved or loved less than Rachel (Gen. 29:32).
63. Being married to both sisters was not a good thing.
A. Some have suggested that Jacob should have given Leah back.
B. It has been proposed that Jacob should have stood his ground and said, “No deal.”
C. Here is an alternative suggestion.
D. What if Jacob had kept Leah and learned to live with her and her only?
E. He could have done that and he could have fulfilled God’s promises.
F. Leah was the one through whom the Lord came into the world (Gen. 29:32, 35).
64. Joseph could have lived with this woman and forgotten about Rachel.
65. He could have been satisfied with finally having a wife, though she was not Rachel.
A. Someone might say, “That wouldn’t have been fair to him.”
B. Let’s talk about fair.
C. If we back up in Biblical history we have a story about Jacob and his brother (Esau).
D. Jacob found a way to get Esau to give him the birthright.
E. He also deceived his father by pretending to be Esau.
F. Laban used trickery with Jacob but Jacob had previously tricked his family members.
G. What Jacob had sown came back to haunt him.
H. He reaped what he had sown.
66. Those who are married can learn something from Jacob.
67. Husbands and wives can learn from this account that they need to be satisfied with their home life.
68. Jacob was not satisfied, he wanted more, and this led to trouble.
69. Today many also want “more” and this leads to problems.
70. The Bible says that godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Tim. 6:6).
71. The story of Jacob gives us a guide for life.
72. It teaches those who are thinking about marriage to be very careful.
73. After getting married this account shows people to be satisfied.
74. Even Solomon, the wisest man to ever lived, commented on this truth.
75. Prov.
A. Wise people have said that history is a great teacher.
B. Those who do not learn from the mistakes of the past are bound to repeat them.
C. The book of Genesis provides us with some lessons about love and marriage.
D. Be careful about the choices we make, and after we make choices, be satisfied with them.
E. God’s word contains instructions so we can make the right choices in life.
Are we people who are trying to make the right choices?