Genesis 29:9-20 - They seemed but a few days

29:9-12

With Abraham’s servant events all fell into place, and so they do with Jacob as Rachel arrives with her sheep. God is in control of events. Rachel was a shepherdess. On seeing her arrival with her sheep Jacob moves the stone away for her. This may well have been quite a feat of strength, depending on how big the stone was. Jacob kissed Rachel. This would be a family greeting kiss rather than a presumptuous romantic kiss! Jacob tells Rachel who he is, this clearly delights Rachel as she runs off to her father. It doesn’t mention what happened to the sheep!

29:13-20

Laban also seems pleased with the news, and gives a warm welcome to Jacob. With Laban it is always difficult to know how much to trust him, and how much to take things at face value. Initially Jacob stayed with him a month, and seems to have done some work for him. Jacob had his eye on another prize! Laban had two daughters. Leah is described as having weak eyes, this is contrasted with Rachel who was beautiful in every way, and Jacob quite clearly fancied her. In those days the father of the bride would normally receive a bride price for a daughter. So Jacob’s offering to work for seven years is his way of giving a bride price. We might have thought that seven years would drag, but we are told the time passed very quickly, “because of the love he had for her”. We can be far too impatient these days, and true love puts all things in a different perspective.