A Long, Long Lesson
While Jacob stayed in Haran, he wanted Rachel, the daughter of Laban, for his wife. Jacob told Laban, “I will work for you seven years if you will give me Rachel.” Laban agreed.
On the day of the wedding, the bride was brought to Jacob. As was the custom in that land, she was covered with a thick veil so her face could not be seen. They were married, but later when Jacob lifted the veil, he found that he had not married Rachel whom he loved. It was her older sister, Leah, whom he did not love at all!
Jacob was very upset that he had been deceived, though he himself had deceived his father in much the same way. But Laban said, “In our land we do not allow the younger to marry before the older. I will give Rachel to you also if you work for me another seven years.” Jacob agreed to this, and Rachel also became his wife.
After serving his uncle Laban for twenty years, Jacob gathered together his family and possessions and left Haran. On the way back to his homeland Canaan, he heard news that filled him with fear. He heard that his brother, Esau, was coming with four hundred men. Jacob remembered that Esau had threatened to kill him.
That night Jacob sent his family across a brook, while he stayed behind to pray. While Jacob was alone, he felt a man take hold of him. Jacob wrestled with this strange man until morning. The man was an angel of God. He blessed Jacob and changed his name to Israel.
When Israel met Esau, they made peace with each other.
Genesis 29:15-35; 30; 31; 32; 33:1-16
Jacob wrestles with an angel and receives God’s blessing.
Parents:
The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. (Psalm 34:15)
Children:
1. How did Laban deceive Jacob?
2. With whom did Jacob wrestle?
3. What was Jacob’s name changed to?