1 Dear Friend, this is a transcript of a sermon preached by Pastor Jeremy Tan from the pulpit of Amazing Grace Baptist Church Singapore. We are committed to expository preaching because we believe it is the most effective way to expose, explain and expound the Holy Scriptures. And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, [Jesus] expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself (Luke 24:27). Through careful systematic and sequential exposition, the preacher is able to declare unto you all the counsel of God (Acts 20:27), and Christians are blessed with a regular, well-balanced diet of God s Word. Expository preaching also helps us to have a high view of Scripture. We wish to extend a warm welcome to you to join us in our church services for a time of uplifting worship and helpful Bible study, which will bring rejoicing and refreshment to your soul. Do visit our church website at www.amazingracebc.org or write to us at amazingracebc@gmail.com. THE DECEIVER DECEIVED Genesis 29:1 30 After stealing his brother s birthright blessing by deception, Jacob fled the family home in Beersheba. Esau was filled with deep hatred for Jacob, and vowed to kill him. Therefore, Rebekah their mother told Jacob to go to Mesopotamia, the ancestral land of his grandfather Abraham, to live for a few days with her father Bethuel and brother Laban. Rebekah s few days would stretch out to twenty years, and she would never see her beloved son again. But after travelling a day or two, Jacob stopped at a desolate place to rest for the night. With only a stone for his pillow, he fell asleep and had a vision in his dream. Jacob saw a ladder or a stairway, upon which angels ascended and descended between Heaven and earth. At the top of this stairway he saw the LORD, who promised to bless him with His presence, protection and provision. God also reiterated the terms of the Abrahamic Covenant to Jacob, thus confirming him as the third patriarch. When Jacob awoke, he set up a pillar of stone as a memorial of God s promises to him, and of his vows to the LORD. Jacob also gave the place a new name, Bethel, which means the house of God. Now as we come to Genesis 29, we see Jacob arriving in Haran. But before we get into the text, we must note the theme of these verses. The incidents in Genesis 29 teach us the principle of reaping and sowing. Jacob would not just be meeting his mother s family, but in Haran divine retribution was waiting for him. With a vengeance, Jacob s past sins will catch up with him. We have divided Genesis 29:1-30 into three headings, beginning with I. Jacob in the Land. Genesis 29:1 Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east.
2 The expression went on his journey literally means that he lifted up his feet. After seeing the vision of the ladder that stood in Bethel as the axis between Heaven and earth, and receiving the promises of the LORD, Jacob quickened his footsteps toward Mesopotamia. He became energized and felt the relief of his burdens of loneliness in the wilderness, and his fear of Esau. Then after a long journey of several thousand kilometres traveling in the opposite direction that his grandfather Abraham took from Ur of the Chaldees to the Promised Land, Jacob entered the land of the people of the east. Genesis 29:2-3 2 And he looked, and behold a well in the field, and, lo, there were three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks: and a great stone was upon the well s mouth. 3 And thither were all the flocks gathered: and they rolled the stone from the well s mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stone again upon the well s mouth in his place. It is possible that this was the same well where Abraham s servant met Rebekah when she came out to fetch water (Genesis 24:15-16). Like Abraham s servant who stopped at the well outside the city of Haran, Jacob arrived here and found three flocks of sheep waiting for the water. The well had a great stone over its mouth, the purpose being to safeguard the water from theft and contamination, or someone accidentally falling into it. Then Jacob turned to speak to the shepherds. Genesis 29:4-6 4 And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence be ye? And they said, Of Haran are we. 5 And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? And they said, We know him. 6 And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said, He is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep. So after a long journey, Jacob finally arrived in Haran, and he met people who knew Laban his uncle! Just at that moment, Rachel the daughter of Laban arrived with her own flock of sheep. Genesis 29:7-8 7 And he said, Lo, it is yet high day, neither is it time that the cattle should be gathered together: water ye the sheep, and go and feed them. 8 And they said, We cannot, until all the flocks be gathered together, and till they roll the stone from the well s mouth; then we water the sheep. The shepherds were in no hurry to water their flocks, but they were prepared to wait for the great stone to be removed from the mouth of the well. They claimed to be waiting for others to come along to roll away the stone, but their reason was merely an excuse for laziness, as we will see in the next point, which is about II. Jacob in Love. Genesis 29:9-10 9 And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her father s sheep: for she kept them. 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.
3 The men waited for help to remove the great stone, but when Jacob saw Rachel, he jumped up, ran to the well, and singlehandedly moved away the stone. Jacob s ability showed that these men were lazy and in no hurry to work. Jacob had a different motivation. He hurried to have the flocks fed with water, so that the shepherds could leave him and Rachel alone to converse in private. After the flocks were watered and the other shepherds had moved away, we read in Genesis 29:11-12 11 And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept. 12 And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father s brother, and that he was Rebekah s son: and she ran and told her father. Jacob kissed Rachel. Was this love at first sight? Some think it was, and for proof they point to Jacob s abiding love for Rachel that endured to the end of his life. In Genesis 48, Jacob was sick and dying, and as he was about to give the patriarchal blessing to the sons of Joseph, who was the son of Rachel, he stopped to recall his beloved Rachel. He never forgot the sad experience of their parting on the day when he buried Rachel. He said in Genesis 48:7 And as for me, when I came from Padan, Rachel died by me in the land of Canaan in the way, when yet there was but a little way to come unto Ephrath: and I buried her there in the way of Ephrath; the same is Beth-lehem. Jacob said these words about seventy years after he first met Rachel at the well. Here we have a declaration of enduring love, the kind of love that survives the death of the beloved. Now let me point out the differences in the well meetings between Abraham s servant who found Rebekah, and Jacob who is now meeting Rachel. First of all, Abraham s servant was a prayerful man who asked God to bless his mission; but we do not hear Jacob praying or praising God for meeting Rachel at the well. Secondly, the servant wanted to be sure that Rebekah was God s chosen bride for Isaac; but Jacob had no such concern about Rachel as God s choice for him. Now of course, there has to be some attraction in the choice of a husband or wife, but it is never wise to depend on the physical senses to choose someone as important as a marital partner. It is wiser to pray to God for His choice. Do not be in a hurry about the person who would be your life partner. If someone is God s sovereign choice for you, you will not miss out. Too many people rush into marriage, only to repent at leisure! Thirdly, the servant sought God s confirmation by waiting for Rebekah to serve him a drink, and then to offer to fetch water for his camels; but Jacob did nothing of the sort. He depended on his flesh by rushing to move the stone and give water to Rachel s flock. He was more eager to please Rachel than to seek God s approval. Abraham s servant learned about Rebekah s character when he saw how she repeatedly fetched water from the well for his camels, but Jacob learned nothing about Rachel s character. Now, was Jacob being too bold and brash to kiss Rachel in their first meeting? Not really, because it was the customary form of greeting when family members meet (Genesis 29:13; 31:28, 55). Lest we forget, she was his cousin. Another reason could be his joy for arriving in Haran and so easily finding the family of his mother. Genesis 29:13-14 13 And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sister s son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought
4 him to his house. And he told Laban all these things. 14 And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space of a month. When Laban heard about the arrival of his nephew, he ran to meet him. Notice that the uncle kissed his nephew, so kissing Rachel was not so unusual after all! When Abraham s servant arrived in Haran, he brought with him many gifts that attracted Laban to him. Moreover, the servant came with a caravan of camels and many men. In contrast, Jacob arrived alone and empty handed; he brought no gift, and there were no train of camels and servants in tow. Jacob did not even have a donkey with him! So we can imagine that Laban s enthusiasm quickly cooled. Nevertheless, after Jacob had told him all these things, Laban acknowledged him as my bone and my flesh. His sister Rebekah had become a rich woman, and Jacob was after all, her son! So he welcomed his nephew into his home. This brings us then to III. Jacob under Laban. Up to this point in the narrative, it would seem that it paid to be a deceiver. Rebekah s scheme had succeeded in ensuring that Jacob received the birthright blessing. Although Jacob had to leave home to get away from Esau s murderous reach, he was now safe and sound in Haran in the home of her brother Laban. But God does not forget His righteous government. The LORD is about to teach Jacob the lesson that the way of transgressors is hard (Proverbs 13:15). Genesis 29:15 And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what shall thy wages be? Tricky Laban knows, even before he has seen Jacob, that a workman is on his way who is worth his weight in gold. (J. P. Fokkelman, quoted in Genesis: A Commentary, Bruce A. Waltke with Cathi J. Fredricks, p. 402). So after a month of staying in his home, Laban offered Jacob a new arrangement that seemed fair and reasonable. In addition to the hospitality, Laban offered to pay Jacob for work. In reality however, penniless Jacob was at his uncle s mercy. By offering to pay Jacob, Laban was giving him notice that he would have to work for his keep. From that moment, Laban would treat his nephew as a servant. Now, this situation was new to Jacob. He had never worked for anybody in his life. He had certainly done some work in his own home, but as the son of the patriarch, many servants waited on him hand-and-foot. Moreover, the oracle of God had revealed Esau the elder serving the younger (Genesis 25:23). So here is the first irony: Jacob had to serve Laban before Esau served him. Jacob had no choice. So what did he propose as his wages? Genesis 29:16-18 16 And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. 17 Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured. 18 And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter. Without a bride price to give, Jacob had to reduce himself to a hired worker. He offered to serve Laban seven years in exchange for Rachel to become his wife.
5 The name Leah means cow and Rachel means ewe. These are names common in the shepherd community. Chinese people can identify with the naming of Leah and Rachel because in rural areas and in olden times, Chinese boys were named after animals such as the pig, the cow, and even a dog! Leah was tender eyed, which literally means that she was soft in the eye. There was no sparkle in her eye, a quality much prized in the ancient East. Thus, she was not as favoured as her sister. The younger Rachel was better endowed. Here we see the sibling rivalry of the two sisters, which reminds us of the conflict between Jacob and Esau. Genesis 29:19-20 19 And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me. 20 And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her. As wages for his work, Laban agreed to give Jacob the hand of Rachel in marriage. Here we find another aspect of Jacob s love of Rachel. He worked patiently for her. The seven years flew by; they seemed unto him but a few days. The seven years of labour speak of Jacob s patience. According to 1 Corinthians 13:4, Charity [or love] suffereth long. Then in 1 Corinthians 13:7, love beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Patience is an uncommon quality in our instant-gratification and selfish me-first generation. Impatient people are not longsuffering and they lack endurance. However at the end of seven years, Jacob had to remind Laban to pay him his due. Genesis 29:21-22 21 And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her. 22 And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast. Laban seemed to have forgotten their agreement. Nevertheless when reminded, Laban prepared the marriage feast and sent out invitations to his guests. So far, so good. Genesis 29:23-25 23 And it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him; and he went in unto her. 24 And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid for an handmaid. 25 And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me? After the celebrations were held and in the night of the nuptials, crafty old Laban switched Rachel with Leah, and Jacob unwittingly consummated the marriage with the wrong woman. How is it possible that Jacob could not see the difference between the sisters? The veiling of the bride, the lateness of the hour, and perhaps the effects of the wine, all contributed to the success of Laban s deception. Apparently, Leah and Rachel were quite alike, with the major difference in their eyes. Also, Leah would be dressed in Rachel s clothes and wearing her perfume. But why did Leah not identify herself while she was in bed with Jacob? It is possible that she loved Jacob, and like Jacob and Rebekah, she agreed with her father to deceive Jacob. She disguised herself as Rachel to deceive Jacob, just as Jacob had worn Esau s clothes and covered himself in goatskins to deceive blind Isaac. In the darkness of the nuptial tent, Jacob was as blind as his father whom he had deceived!
6 When Jacob discovered he had been cheated in his marriage, it is possible that he also trembled like his father because of the poetic justice that came upon him. The deceiver is deceived! Then he went out to confront Laban. He asked his uncle, now father-in-law, Wherefore then hast thou beguiled me? Genesis 29:26-27 26 And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn. 27 Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years. It is amazing how calmly Laban responded to Jacob. He explained himself so matterof-factly, as though it were no big deal to give away a different daughter to be married. But this was a man accomplished in trickery, and in Laban Jacob had more than met his match. Laban had planned to deceive Jacob from the beginning. Notice in Genesis 29:19 that Jacob clearly wanted Rachel to be his bride, but Laban did not mention Rachel s name at all; it was just her, and now Jacob realized that her meant Leah! Jacob assumed they were dealing with the same daughter, but Laban did not commit himself to giving Rachel to Jacob. Now after seven years, he insisted that the elder daughter must be married before the younger. Here we find Jacob learning another lesson: the right of the firstborn must be respected, something that he ignored in the case of his elder brother Esau. But the greatest irony of all is that the father deceived Jacob. Jacob had no qualms about cheating his father Isaac, and now he was on the receiving end of a father s deception. Jacob and his mother Rebekah thought that the end justified the means, so they went ahead to cheat Isaac and Esau; likewise, it is possible that Laban and Leah also thought that the end justified the means. Years later, another similar deception would occur when the sons of Jacob deceived him by dipping Joseph s coat in the blood of a kid of the goats (Genesis 37:31) to make him believe that an animal had devoured his favourite son. Jacob had deceived Isaac regarding his father s favourite son Esau, and later his sons would do the same to him! Now, if Jacob recognized that he had been both the prey and the victim of deception, we wonder how the deceiver would respond to being deceived. Did he become angry? The narrative is silent. We do not read anywhere in the text that he mistreated Leah for cheating him. We do not even hear him lamenting the extra seven years of labour to earn a wife he did not want in the first place. Notice that Laban told Jacob to fulfil her week. The week or seven years that Jacob worked for Leah, and later also for Rachel, is the basis for calculating the prophecy of Daniel s seventy weeks, which work out to 490 years (cf. Daniel 9:24-27). For the sake of his beloved Rachel, Jacob agreed to Laban s additional demand. Laban outwits Jacob and reduces family to an economic arrangement (cf. 25:33; 27:29, 37, 40). (Waltke, p. 403). Genesis 29:28-30 28 And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also. 29 And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his handmaid to be her maid. 30 And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years.
7 Leah and Rachel were each given their own servant girl, Zilpah and Bilhah, who not only waited on them, but might bear for them children in the event they could not conceive with their husband. Their offspring became legal children in the household as heirs of the estate. Conclusion The key lesson from Jacob s experience with Laban is that God cannot be mocked. Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Although Jacob was the elect son of the Covenant, he did not escape the consequences of his own sins. His sins caught up with him, as we have seen in the parallels between the one who deceived and was then deceived. At last, Jacob knew what it was like to be on the receiving end! Like Jacob, we may meet persons like Laban. What do we do with such people? If we use the story of Jacob as a sample, we may say that, when we are thrown together with people who are crafty, arrogant, deceitful, contentious, gossipy, or a host of other human frailties, before we lament that we have to be around such people, we perhaps should take a long look at ourselves. It may be that some of those traits characterize us and that other people may be part of God s means of disciplining us. (Allen P. Ross, Creation & Blessing, p. 503-4). Remember, we may be encountering poetic justice, and getting what we deserved! The apostle Paul expands on the principle of sowing and reaping in Galatians 6:8-10 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. If we sow to the flesh, we will reap corruption. God cannot be mocked in this life, nor in eternity. There is no redeeming value at all if we live to satisfy the lust of the flesh, but only everlasting punishment for sin. By trusting the Lord Jesus Christ as one s personal Saviour, and living a Spirit-filled life, the reward from God is life everlasting. Here is the point: we cannot sow vice and expect to reap virtue; we cannot live like hell in this present life, and expect to go to Heaven. The Bible does not teach that we can live anyway we wish, and everyone still goes to Heaven! God has only promised a place in Heaven to His people, those who are the believers in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Do you know this biblical truth, or are you prepared to find this out when you stand in judgment before God at His Great White Throne? Born-again Christians are saved from their sins because the Lord Jesus Christ paid the penalty for their sins by His atoning death on Calvary s cross. If your sins have not been forgiven, come now to Christ and ask Him to be your personal Saviour.
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