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Day 31 – Love’s Wages Genesis 29:1 So Jacob went on his journey and came to the land of the people of the East. 2 And he looked and saw a well in the field; and behold, there were three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of the well they watered the flocks. A large stone was on the well’s mouth. 3 When all the flocks were gathered; they would roll the stone from the well’s mouth, water the sheep, and put the stone back in its place on the well’s mouth. 4 Jacob said to them, “My brethren, where are you from?” they said, “We are from Haran.” 5 Then he said to them, “Do you know Laban the son of Nahor?” They said, “We know him.” 6 He said to them, “Is he well?” They said, “He is well. Look, his daughter Rachel is coming with the sheep.” 7 Then he said, “Look, it is still high day; it is not time for the cattle to be gathered together. Water the sheep and go and feed them.” 8 They said, “We cannot until all the flocks are gathered together, and they roll the stone from the well’s mouth; then we water the sheep.” 9 While he spoke with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep, for she was a shepherdess. 10 It happened when Jacob saw Rachel, Laban’s daughter, and the sheep, that Jacob went near and rolled the stone from the well’s mouth and watered the flock of Laban, his mother’s brother. 11 Then Jacob kissed Rachel, lifted his voice, and wept. 12 Jacob told Rachel that he was her father’s relative and that he was Rebekah’s son. So, she ran and told her father. 13 Then it happened, when Laban heard the report about Jacob, his sister’s son, that he ran to meet him, embraced him, kissed him, and brought him to his house. So, he told Laban all these things. 14 Laban said to him, “Surely, you are my bone and my flesh.” He stayed with him for a month. 15 Then Laban said to Jacob, “Because you are my relative, should you, therefore, serve me for nothing? Tell me, what should your wages be?” 16 Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. 17 Leah’s eyes were delicate, but Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance. 18 Jacob loved Rachel; so, he said, “I will serve you seven years for Rachel your younger daughter.” 19 Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to another man. Stay with me.” 20 So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed only a few days to him because of the love he had for her. 21 Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go to her.” 22 Laban gathered all the men of the place and made a feast. 23 Now it happened in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter and brought her to Jacob; and he went to her. 24 Laban gave his maid Zilpah to his daughter Leah as a maid. 25 So it happened in the morning, that behold, it was Leah. He said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Was it not for Rachel that I served you? Why then have you deceived me?” 26 Laban said, “It must not be done so in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn. 27 Fulfill her week, and we will give you this one also for the service which you will serve with me still another seven years.” 28 Then Jacob did so and fulfilled her week. So, he gave him his daughter Rachel as wife also. 29 Laban gave his maid Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as a maid. 30 Then Jacob also went to Rachel, and he also loved Rachel more than Leah. He served with Laban still another seven years. 31 When the LORD (Jehovah) saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren. 32 So Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben; for she said, “The LORD (Jehovah) has looked on my affliction. Now, therefore, my husband will love me.” 33 Then she conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Because the LORD (Jehovah) heard I am unloved, He has given me this son also.” She called his name Simeon. 34 She conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Now this time my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” Therefore, his name was Levi. 35 She conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Now I will praise the LORD (Jehovah).” Therefore, she called his name Judah. Then she stopped bearing. God’s name: Jehovah – Self-existent, Eternal Qadowsh – God by eminence Theos – Greek – Mighty God Iesous – Greek - Jesus God’s character: Love Christos – Greek - Messiah Have you known a loveless marriage? Did you marry for all the wrong reasons? Or do you know love in your marriage and the time you’re together seems like a short time? What would you do for the woman you love? Jacob went to Padan Aram for one reason, to get a wife. When he saw Rachel, it was love at first sight. His love never faded. He bargained with Laban for seven years wages as the bride price. Laban accepted, but instead of Rachel, he deceived Jacob and gave him Leah. Angry, Jacob approached Laban about his deception. Laban told him he would give him Rachel for another seven years wages. Jacob agreed, and Laban gave her to him as his wife. Jacob didn’t love Leah. When Jehovah saw where his affections lay, He opened Leah’s womb, and gave Jacob four sons, and left Rachel barren. Nobody wants a loveless marriage. Yet it happens and divorce courts are full of broken dreams, the result of loveless marriages. Even a loveless marriage has hope. When you place your marriage in Jehovah’s hands, He will give you children. When you honor and respect your husband, He will give you a marriage to fight for. Only Jehovah can turn around a loveless marriage. What are you willing to give for a happy marriage, a marriage of love? Jacob served Laban for fourteen years to marry the woman he loved. Laban deceived him and gave him Leah first, but it didn’t dissuade him from his love and devotion to Rachel. He gave Laban years of service for the woman he loved, and they seemed like a few days because of his love for her. You have a husband who loves you and paid the wages of love on the cross. Isaiah 54:5 For your Maker is your husband, the LORD (Jehovah) of hosts is His name; and your Redeemer is the Holy One (Qadowsh, kaw-doshe) of Israel; He is called the God (Elohiym) of the whole earth. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God (Theos) is eternal life in Christ (Christos) Jesus (Iesous) our Lord (Kurios). (NKJV) Jacob paid the wages of love for Rachel. Jesus paid the wages of love for you. What is your response to His love for you? Do you give Him honor and respect? Do you love Him? Many Christians go through their Christian life rarely spending time with the One who loves them. They acknowledge Him as their Savior and Lord, but they do nothing more than that. For a relationship to survive, you must give something. Jacob gave fourteen years of his life for love. Jesus went to the cross for love. What will you give for love? When you committed your life to Jesus as your Savior and Lord, you promised to get to know Him. You can only do that when you spend time with him. When you read your Bible, pray, gather with other believers in Bible study, and worship, you get to know His heart, and your love will grow. You won’t have a loveless marriage, but one filled with love and devotion. Do you love your Husband? Is He truly the Lord (Kurios) of your life? Let’s pray: Father, let my love for You be evident in everything I say and do. I don’t want a life of lip service, but one of love and devotion to You. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 18 February 2024 by Valerie Routhieaux The image belongs to me.