DIGGING DEEP NO. 878 – APRIL 13, 2021 THE DECEIVER REAPS DECEPTION Gen. 29:25.

“When morning came, there was Leah! So, Jacob said to Laban, ‘What is this you have done to me? I served you for Rachel, didn’t I? Why have you deceived me?’” – Genesis 29:25 ■

   Have you ever had to learn a lesson “the hard way”? Are you surprised when something that should be easy turns out to be difficult? Sometimes when we fail to learn things “the easy way,” the lessons come harder. Sometimes our choices cause unintended consequences. Sometimes others make our lives harder than necessary. Sometimes God allows suffering that exposes our weakness and draws us to Himself. We prefer for things to go our way and life to come easy. We usually recoil when obstacles stop us or slow our path. Lasting life lessons and character development often involve hardship. Jacob resumed his travel to Paddan Aram to find a wife from his mother’s family. He set out with new awareness of God’s promises and presence. However, Jacob had a few lessons he needed to learn “the hard way.” God loved Jacob too much to leave him where he was. God allowed the “deceiver” to be deceived, tricked, and delayed. God molded Jacob’s character through years of mistreatment and disappointment. God values character development more than quick and painless solutions. Your suffering will not be wasted when you recognize God’s deeper work through it. God will not spare His child necessary pain when that pain provides the greatest opportunity to grow. God’s love, presence and power can bring purpose to our pain.

Jacob’s Stop at the Well – 29:1-12 Jacob left Bethel to travel to Paddan Aram. He went in faith toward his grandfather Bethuel’s house to find a woman to marry among his uncle Laban’s daughters. Jacob arrived and approached a well surrounded by three flocks and some shepherds. Jacob Meets Rachel and Other Shepherds. Jacob started a conversation and signaled his peaceful intentions by greeting the shepherds as “my brothers.” Jacob quickly discovered they were from Harran and knew his uncle Laban.  In God’s providence, Laban’s daughter, the shepherdess Rachel, approached the well with her family’s flock. Jacob asked the shepherds why they were not watering their sheep and taking them back to pasture. “We can’t”. Either removing the stone required teamwork or tradition required they wait until all the shepherds arrived before removing the stone. Assessing the situation. Jacob witnessed Rachel’s need and acted quickly to water her flock. Jacob’s strength to remove the covering and ability to tend the flock reflected his intense emotion and affection. Overcome, Jacob introduced himself and kissed Rachel. In the same way that Rebekah had responded to the servant, Rachel also ran home with the great news.

Jacob Meets Laban and Family – 29:13-14 Years before, Laban had gone out to a well to meet Abraham’s servant. Gen,24:29. He now went to meet Jacob. Both times, Laban warmly welcomed the men as his own family. For the second time, Laban listened to his guest’s story. Laban had heard Abraham’s servant report God’s promises and provisions for his journey.  Now he heard “all these things” from Jacob.

Laban’s Bargains and Jacob’s Love – 29:15-20. After a month, Laban told Jacob he should not work as a servant for him for nothing. Laban’s approach makes him seem generous, though the rest of the story reveals his shrewdness. Jacob had worked hard for a month without pay. Now, Laban wanted to bargain for Jacob’s continued labor. Laban surely would have noticed Jacob’s affection for Rachel. Laban presented his purpose as sincere.

Instead of treasures, Jacob offered his loyalty to Laban. Jacob would work seven years in return for Rachel. The record of Jacob’s request to marry Rachel includes a rather abrupt mention of Laban’s older daughter, Leah. The passage contains a physical comparison of the two sisters. “Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel had a lovely figure and was beautiful. This description may explain why Leah, the older sister, was not already married. Perhaps Laban thought once he gave Rachel to Jacob in this bargain that other suitors would take an interest in Leah. But at the end of the seven years, Leah was still unwed. Laban’s manipulation of circumstances to his own advantage also impacted Jacob. Laban took advantage of Jacob’s desires. The dowry equivalent of Jacob’s wages for seven years was far beyond the ordinary. Laban would reap the reward of Jacob’s labor at no expense to himself. What Jacob offered in honor; Laban seized as a good bargain. The seven years of labor “seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.” Jacob clearly loved Rachel deeply, likely from the moment he saw her at the well. His love for her was a patient.

Laban’s Deceit with His Daughters – 29:21-30 Laban was in no hurry to lose his worker or his daughter. Once married, Jacob could return to Canaan and take Rachel with him at any time his mother sent word. Gen 27:45. Laban’s bargain ensured Jacob would stay for at least seven years. Jacob thought the years went quickly, but he kept a careful record of his service. He had to urge Laban to keep his word saying, “Give me my wife.” Jacob did not want to wait another day to marry and make love to Rachel. Laban should have fulfilled their agreement, but he had other plans. Laban prepared a feast attended by many friends and neighbors. The heavily veiled bride remained separated from her husband until after the feasting. Late in the evening, Laban took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob. The morning light revealed the identity of the disguised Leah. Jacob, the deceiver, had been deceived! The comparison of Laban’s sin to Jacob’s sin cannot be avoided. Jacob, at his mother’s doing, disguised himself as his brother to deceive his father. Gen 27. Now, Leah, at her father’s doing, disguised herself as her sister to deceive Jacob. God was molding Jacob, as he learned lessons “the hard way.” The pain inflicted on Leah must be acknowledged. Leah must have suffered greatly from humiliation and rejection, that morning and later. Her father, who should have protected her, subjected her to deep hurt and a hard life. Laban brought terrible conflict into his family. The comfort here is to know that God saw Leah and her pain. God was kind to her, even when the people closest to her were not. Jacob placed the fault on Laban, where it belonged. Laban offered no apology but justified his actions as “our custom here.” Often those who impose pain on others fail to take responsibility and instead defend their behavior.

Jacob learned important lessons “the hard way” as God’s discipline developed his character. God values people and has unique plans for their lives. God develops the faith of His children in ways similar to parents helping their children mature. Trials in life test our faith and require choices. God holds us responsible for our actions and the consequences that follow. God directs circumstances to accomplish His will and bring about good, ultimately. God always acts for good. God never deserves blame for people’s evil actions. He always deserves our praise. God demonstrates His grace and accomplishes His purposes despite human failures. Jacob started out as a young man eager for God’s blessings. However, he was unprepared to wait patiently on God to receive them. God always finishes what He starts. He begins His good work of salvation by grace through faith. He never rejects His children because of their negligence, ignorance, or dishonor. On the contrary, He promises to continue His good work. God disciplines His own using circumstances or other people. Through such hardships, God reveals to His children the deceits within their own hearts. God’s purpose is to lead us to confession, repentance, forgiveness, growth, and dependence on Him.

God is more committed to your spiritual growth than you are. While we prefer shortcuts, God will invest whatever is needed, even allowing suffering to accomplish His higher purposes. Like a surgeon who willingly inflicts pain to bring healing, God allows us to hurt for our good. Jacob’s needed character development did not happen quickly, easily or without pain. What if you viewed your current hardship as a loving investment by your faithful God for your greater good? If you are currently in a long and tough battle, what is God doing in you? How are your spiritual sensitivities being awakened? Do not waste your suffering; look for every opportunity to grow and experience God’s faithfulness.

What do you do with a “Laban” in your life?

How should you respond to someone who has done you wrong and inflicted pain?

What does God expect of us in dealing with a cruel or evil person?

You cannot control the behavior, responses, or consequences of someone else; in every toxic relationship, you are responsible only for you. Certainly, God may offer opportunities to speak truth and to stand for what is right. Sometimes you are left without a voice and know that speaking up would only make things worse. There are times when you must escape for your own safety or well-being. While revenge tempts us, ultimate peace comes from knowing that your pain and someone else’s wrongs are known by God. Matthew 5:44 says, “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you ” There are no easy answers. God can be trusted with what you cannot figure out.