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Writer's pictureDeborah

Jacob and Leah



Genesis 25:27-34 (sold birthright)

Genesis 27 (Isaac’s final meal)

Genesis 27:13 NKJV

Genesis 27:22 (The sound of Jacob’s voice)

Genesis 27:24 (Jacob’s Lie to receive Blessing)

Genesis 25:22-23 NKJV

Genesis 26:31-35 (Sold Birthright; Esau took Foreign Wives)

Genesis 28:1-2 NKJV

Genesis 32:22-32 (God wrestled with Jacob)

Genesis 32:25-28 NKJV

Genesis 28:12-15 NKJV

Genesis 29:18 (Jacob fell in love with Rachel)

Genesis 29:23 (Laban tricked Jacob)

Genesis 29:26-27 NKJV

Genesis 29:31-35 and Genesis 30:17-20 (God blessed Leah and gave her six sons)

Genesis 30:9-13 (Leah’s servant Zilpah gave Joseph two sons Gad and Asher)


A Story of Love Series

Jacob Part One


We learned from the love story of Isaac and Rebekah that they had twin sons, Esau and Jacob. In Genesis 25:27-34 the oldest son, Esau sold his birthright to his twin brother for a meal because he was hungry.


In Genesis 27 Esau, the hunter was asked by his dying father, Isaac to hunt and cook his last meal. Isaac’s wife Rebekah overheard and she told Jacob (the younger twin who now held the birthright) to “Let your curse be on me, my son; only obey my voice, and go get them for me” (Genesis 27:13). She devised a plan to make Jacob feel like his hairy brother Esau in order to steal the blessing.


Jacob did as his mother commanded. She put fur skins on Jacob and cooked meat just like Isaac liked it.


Isaac did question Jacob because of the sound of his voice (Genesis 27:22) but when Jacob told his father he was Esau (Genesis 27:24), he believed him and gave him the blessing.

Because of the deception, Jacob now held the birthright AND the blessing for all time. The motive isn’t clear in Genesis 27, but in Genesis 25:22-23 we are reminded that Rebekah was told: “And the Lord said to her:

“Two nations are in your womb,

Two peoples shall be separated from your body;

One people shall be stronger than the other,

And the older shall serve the younger.”


We also know that Esau sold his birthright for ONE meal (Genesis 25:31-34) and in the end Esau married pagan wives (Genesis 26:34-35) which greatly grieved his parents.


Jacob did not marry foreign wives but he sought a wife in accordance with his father’s instructions.


In Genesis 28:1-2:

“Then Isaac called Jacob and blessed him, and charged him, and said to him: “You shall not take a wife from the daughters of Canaan. Arise, go to Padan Aram, to the house of Bethuel your mother’s father; and take yourself a wife from there of the daughters of Laban your mother’s brother.”


Jacob also did struggle with his choices and ultimately he did wrestle with God’s agent (Genesis 32:22-32) all night. Even though Jacob’s thigh was put out of joint, he would not surrender. In Genesis 32:25-28 we are told, “when he saw that he did not prevail against him, he touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob’s hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. And he said, “Let me go, for the day breaks.” But he said to him. “What is your name?” He said, “Jacob.” And He said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.”


As the chosen son who received the blessing, Jacob traveled to see Laban, his mother’s brother. In Genesis 28:12-15 we are told, “Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. And behold, the Lord stood above it and said: “I am the Lord God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants. Also your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth; you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north and the south; and in you and in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed. Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.”


When Jacob went to see Laban and he met his daughters he immediately fell in love with Rachel (Genesis 29:18) and he agreed to serve Laban for seven years so he could have Rachel.


But Laban tricked Jacob and instead of sending Rachel into the tent at night, he sent her older sister Leah (Genesis 29:23).


When Jacob found out he had been tricked, he complained and Laban told him in Genesis 29:26-27, “It must not be done so in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn. Fulfill her week, and we will give you this one also for the service which you will serve with me still another seven years.”


So that’s what Jacob did. He was also given Leah’s maid Zilpah and Rachel’s maid Bilhah.

But, as is the case with God, He had a perfect plan.


Leah was not loved as much as Rachel and in Genesis 29:31-35 and Genesis 30:17-20, God blessed Leah and gave her six sons. Leah bore Jacob: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah (the line of Christ, Mary and her husband Joseph), Issachar, and Zebulun. Leah’s servant Zilpah gave Joseph two sons Gad and Asher (Genesis 30:9-13). Jacob loved Leah as the mother many sons.


Genesis 29

Jacob loved Leah’s sister Rachel best but Rachel was barren. Leah bore him Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah (the line of Mary and Joseph), Issachar, and Zebulun.

In Genesis 30 when Leah ceased to bear other sons she gave her servant Zilpah to Jacob and she bore him Gad and Asher.


Eight of Jacob’s sons were born of Leah and her servant Zilpah. Even though Jacob loved Rachel best, God blessed Leah with many sons.

Today’s Spiritual Practice is: All Things for Good


Romans 8:28 tells us, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Even though Rachel was loved more, Leah was blessed more by God. Think about a time when God brought something good to you from an unexpected source. Write about it and post it where you will see it.

In God, Deborah

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