Study Questions:

1. After his encounter with God and repentance at Bethel, what circumstances did God provide for Jacob to meet his relatives in Haran? Genesis 29:1-6

2. What was Rachel’s role in her home, among other things? Genesis 29:9

3. How did God protect Jacob from Laban, his deceitful and idolatrous uncle? Genesis 30:38-43

Commentary and reflection:

On his pilgrimage to the land of his ancestors, Jacob learned to trust God and not to depend on his deceptive ways to obtain things.

As he reflected on the negative circumstances in his family that led him to flee, he recognized his contribution to the breakdown of his relationship with his brother and parents. In his experience with Laban, he looked at himself and made a covenant with God to be faithful to him. As for his troubled marriage with Rachel, God blessed Jacob by giving him twelve sons who would constitute the twelve tribes of Israel.

Mrs. White saw good results in the ancient custom of suitors having to work to get a wife, as it avoided hasty marriages, and allowed them to show the depth of their affections and the ability to support their future family.

“In early times custom required the bridegroom, before the ratification of a marriage engagement, to pay a sum of money or its equivalent in other property, according to his circumstances, to the father of his wife. This was regarded as a safeguard to the marriage relation. Fathers did not think it safe to trust the happiness of their daughters to men who had not made provision for the support of a family. If they had not sufficient thrift and energy to manage business and acquire cattle or lands, it was feared that their life would prove worthless. But provision was made to test those who had nothing to pay for a wife. They were permitted to labor for the father whose daughter they loved, the length of time being regulated by the value of the dowry required. When the suitor was faithful in his services, and proved in other respects worthy, he obtained the daughter as his wife; and generally the dowry which the father had received was given her at her marriage. In the case of both Rachel and Leah, however, Laban selfishly retained the dowry that should have been given them; they referred to this when they said, just before the removal from Mesopotamia, ‘he hath sold us, and hath quite devoured also our money.’”. Genesis 31:15”. PP 188

“The ancient custom, though sometimes abused, as by Laban, was productive of good results. When the suitor was required to render service to secure his bride, a hasty marriage was prevented, and there was opportunity to test the depth of his affections, as well as his ability to provide for a family. In our time many evils result from pursuing an opposite course. It is often the case that persons before marriage have little opportunity to become acquainted with each other’s habits and disposition, and, so far as everyday life is concerned, they are virtually strangers when they unite their interests at the altar. Many find, too late, that they are not adapted to each other, and lifelong wretchedness is the result of their union. Often the wife and children suffer from the indolence and inefficiency or the vicious habits of the husband and father. If the character of the suitor had been tested before marriage, according to the ancient custom, great unhappiness might have been prevented.” PP 189

This is very good advice.

May God grant you a blessed day.