Jacob’s history:  Jacob had manipulated Esau into giving him the birthright of the eldest son.  He had deceived his father into giving him a blessing.  A blessing Isaac intended to give to Esau.  Jacob the deceiver became the deceived.  (Genesis 27-28)

Jacob’s love story: (Genesis 29)
Jacob’s destination was Haran where he intended to find a godly wife.

He saw a well in a field with three flocks of sheep waiting to be watered.  He talked with the shepherds and found out that they would wait until all the flocks came before the large stone was removed from the mouth of the well.

As they were waiting, Jacob began a conversation.  He asked the shepherds where they were from.  They replied, ‘We are from Haran.’  Maybe they knew his Uncle Laban.  They did know Laban; in fact his daughter Rachel came with his sheep as they were talking.

Jacob did the gallant act of rolling away the large stone and watered her flock.  Then he kissed Rachel and, being a man that was not afraid to show emotion, wept.  He introduced himself to Rachel.  What did Rachel do?  She ran to tell her father.

Laban ran to meet his sister’s son, Jacob; they embraced and kissed as was the custom.  Jacob was taken home.  Then Jacob told Laban why he was there.  He stayed with Laban a full month and must have worked for Laban during that time.  Laban said you don’t need to keep working for nothing, what do you want to be paid?

Jacob took no time in answering that one.  He loved Rachel, the younger of two daughters.  He offered to serve Laban seven years for Rachel to become his wife.  She was beautiful.  Jacob worked hard — for seven years.  His love for Rachel grew during that time.
After seven years passed, Jacob asked Laban for Rachel to become his wife.

Laban, good old Laban, gave a feast for the marriage.  Then when it was time for Jacob to claim his wife, Laban deceived Jacob.  Laban gave Leah, the older sister, in place of Rachel as Jacob’s wife.  The next morning after the marriage was consummated… Jacob discovered the plain sister Leah had been given to him in marriage instead of the daughter he loved.

He was more than upset, he confronted his father-in-law.  “What is this you have done to me?”
I served you for seven years for Rachel, not Leah!  “Why have you deceived me?”

What happened in this mixed up situation?  Laban told Jacob to complete a week of married life with Leah and the following week he could also marry Rachel.  Laban demanded Jacob work another seven years for Rachel.  (Genesis 29:27-28)

God does not let anyone get away with deceptions, lies, or manipulations.  More than seven years passed after Jacob deceived his own brother and father… then he was deceived by his Uncle Laban.

~ Take it to heart ~

God doesn’t let us get away with sin.

 (NIV) Jeremiah 17:10 “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind,
To reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.”