Genesis chapter 29

Jacob is tricked into marrying Leah rather than Rachel, but is then given Rachel as a wife in return for a further seven years work.

It is ironic that Jacob, who tricked his brother out of his inheritance and blessing, is now in turn tricked himself.  He now knew what it felt like to be on the receiving end of trickery and he was probably not impressed. Yet Jacob abides by his word, and even though he was tricked, because he loves Rachel so much he agrees to work a further seven years for Laban.

It is hard at times to have patience.  We live in a fast paced world where instant gratification is expected and taken for granted.  If you want something, you take it, or you buy it, steal it, use your credit card.  Instant access to whatever we want. Waiting for something is exceptional these days, and to work for something for seven years, then to be tricked and find out you have to work another seven years unheard of.   Jacob does all this without complaining, he doesn't moan and grumble, mutter under his breath about how deceitful some people are, and how he has already worked his fingers to the bone for seven long years so why should he have to work another seven years when he was promised Rachel as his wife.  No, Jacob just gets on with life, accepts what Laban is offering, spends a week's honeymoon with Leah and then marries Rachel and works the extra seven years.  I don't know as I would have had that much forbearance or patience.  I mean, if you had worked long and hard for seven years, would you have just sat there and agreed to work another seven long, hard years when you had been tricked into marrying the wrong sister without bearing a grudge, or harbouring some ill feeling towards Laban or even Leah for going along with it?

This all shows the importance of having patience, of trusting in God no matter what and the importance of being honest and truthful in all our dealings, whether it is with God, family, friends or strangers,  and in keeping our promises.  Not always an easy thing to do in this day and age.

Then look how God keeps an eye on Leah.  She sees that Leah isn't loved by Jacob, so he ensures she ends up with four sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah.  Rachel, who has the love of Jacob, has no children.  God compensated Leah for the lack of love from her husband with the love of her sons, whereas Rachel had no need of the love of her children as she had Jacob's love.  Of course, it is not as straightforward as that, it is far more complex but at the end of the day, Leah was blessed by God, especially when you consider that Jesus is descended from Judah.