Genesis 29—30, Matthew 9:1—17 • Key Verse: Genesis 29:25

Two men got what they wanted, but both got it the wrong way.
Jacob wanted his father’s blessing. In yesterday’s reading we saw how he deceived Isaac to get the blessing. Laban wanted his older daughter wed. By deception he got what he wanted too.

Jacob wanted to marry Rachel. He served Laban for seven years to get her. It is touching to read that those years “seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her” (29:20).
Then Laban substituted Leah. What was a touching scene becomes a torturous one. It is hard to imagine the emotions of Jacob when he realized that he had been deceived.

These verses do not teach that if we deceive we will be deceived. But they do show us the pain of sin and the problems sin causes. Ultimately Jacob married Rachel. He worked another seven years for her, and his home became one of division and unhappiness.

When a person is intent on getting what he wants in whatever way possible, he faces a future filled with the problems sin brings. Jacob got what he wanted—and what he did not want.

Think about the family situation of Jacob and his wives. It involved an unloved wife and competition for a husband’s affections. Later there is even strife among the children. Getting what we want instead of waiting for what God gives can be very unpleasant.

Woodrow Kroll & Tony Beckett
www.backtothebible.in