About the Reading:
Today we learn a lot about the life of Jacob. We learn the life that he has led himself into with his tricking Isaac…a life of being tricked and trying to outwit his uncle Laban.
We learn how Jacob is married to Leah and then Rachel. The numerous children they have and how that comes about.
At the end of today’s reading, we learn of Jacob returning to Esau and also of him being renamed by God to Israel.
My Thoughts and Notes:
Genesis 29:14
and Laban said to him, ‘You are indeed my bone and flesh!’
Does this mean that Laban, too, would easily lie and scheme?
Can we say, “what goes around comes around” about things in the Bible. Would that be appropriate? Jacob tricked his father and now, Jacob was tricked.
It seems, to me, that Jacob and Laban are constantly trying to outwit each other in trying to see who could trick the other more. It’s sad really, isn’t it? That all this tricking/lying/decieving has really caused so much more turmoil than on the surface. Because of tricking Jacob to marrying Leah first, both sisters live their life in competition with each other. Laban’s sons grow more and more hatred.
How often have we tricked/lied/decieved and what are the consequences. The smallest lie can build into the biggest mountain that we really didn’t intend. It really isn’t worth all the trouble, is it?
What stood out to you in the reading today?
I sat down to read last night and fell asleep. :) Although I can't think of a better way to fall asleep, and I slept very well, I do feel bad about not commenting on the reading.
ReplyDeleteWhat stands out to most is that Jacob met his match in Laban. Jacob may have deceived Esau and Isaac, but Uncle Laban out tricked the trickster! This caused Jacob to spend 20 years working for his unscrupulous father-in-law. Finally, Jacob has had enough, and with prompting from God, he slips away in the dead of night. We also see that Jacob and Laban aren't the only ones who have a knack for trickery (and telling lies. Rachel stole her fathers household gods, and when Laban came looking she simply sat there and said, "I am sorry I can't get up, but I have my period." Jacob and his family, servants and flocks finally leave. He sees Esau coming from a distance and prepares to 'bribe' him. God changes Jacobs name to Israel (struggles with God) after wrestling with him during the night.