As we left Jacob in last week’s post he had spent several days completing his hurried 450-mile trip from Beersheba to Haran. (Genesis 29:1)
Why has he made this long, arduous trip? What happened on the journey that began to make a “changed” man out of him?
He left home for two reasons. First, Jacob and his mother, Rebekah, had tricked Isaac into giving him the blessing that rightly belonged to his older brother Esau. They insisted he go quickly to his mother’s brother in Haran to escape the wrath of Esau. Jacob was on the run to save his neck.
The second reason was an add-on: “And while you are there, there is something else we want you to do.” What was that? Find a wife from your mother’s people. This was not the primary reason for Jacob’s hurried escape but God will use it to advance His plan and fulfill his promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Remember the promise God has made? “All the peoples of the earth will be blessed through you and your offspring.” Genesis 28:14.
To accomplish this, Jacob will need a wife. To refresh your memory of what unfolds, please read Genesis 29: 2 through 30:24. This is a fascinating story of love, deception, devotion, and how God works through and around human weakness to accomplish his plan.
Upon arriving in Haran, Jacob meets some shepherds waiting to water their sheep and asks if they know Laban. They confirm they know his uncle and that he is well and say “And here comes his daughter Rachel with the sheep.” Genesis 29:6. Jacob focuses his attention on the beautiful Rachel and waters her sheep.
What happens next has caused me to laugh, shake my head, and raise all kinds of questions. Why is that? Jacob takes over and tells her they are cousins, and then what does he do?
Genesis 29:14 says, “Then Jacob kissed Rachel and began to weep aloud.” Given what happens after the kiss, this was not some soft peck on the cheek. It was more likely a strong embrace and a somewhat passionate kiss. Why do I say this? Because he broke down weeping after he kissed her. His feelings are powerful for her. He is overcome by a flood of emotion and pent-up feelings pour out of him.
Rachel didn’t object to Jacob’s affection; she ran and told her father about Jacob. While we can only conjecture what the kiss meant to Jacob, I think it has to do with how he may be processing the evil things he has done, his meeting with God at Bethel, and how he sees God’s plan and promise for his future. He is smitten with the beautiful and shapely Rachel and this brief encounter is an assurance that God is with him.
God has brought him safely to Haran and face-to-face with this beautiful young woman. Remember, Jacob is to find his wife among Rebekah’s kinfolk. Do you think Jacob saw this encounter with Rachel as a coincidence, a chance meeting? No, I believe he viewed it as an act of God, a confirmation that God was with him and would fulfill His promise. Rachel was part of God’s plan.
Jacob is welcomed into Laban’s home and begins working for him. After being there a month, Laban talks to Jacob about payment, ” Tell me what your wages should be.” Genesis 29:15. No doubt one thing had been foremost on Jacob’s mind since he first met her. He wanted Rachel. He was so deeply in love with her that he offered this deal to her father,” I’ll work for you for seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.” Genesis 29:18
This love story is often told and thought of as perhaps the greatest love story in the Bible. Jacob’s love for Rachel was so intense that he gladly paid the price for her. Notice how Genesis 29:20 comments on the depth of his love for her, “So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.”
In the next post, we will see how this beautiful story takes a nasty turn and how the man who once swindled his brother is now swindled by his uncle. But, Jacob’s love for Rachel will endure and God’s plan and promise will move on. God is good and He will do all He can to save us.