Gen 29:15-30 | MHM | STEP | Genesis 29:15-30: Jacob's Marriage This passage tells how Jacob made an agreement with Laban to marry Rachel, but was tricked into marrying Leah first. Jacob worked hard and honestly for many years to earn his wife. Laban’s deception brought trouble to Jacob, but God still used these events for His plan. The story reminds us to act justly in our relationships and to trust God, even when others are unfair (Genesis 29:15-30 ). v. 15 : Laban told Jacob that, even though they were family, Jacob should not work for free. He asked Jacob what he wanted as payment .

‏ Genesis 29:15-30

Genesis 29:15-30: Jacob's Marriage

This passage tells how Jacob made an agreement with Laban to marry Rachel, but was tricked into marrying Leah first. Jacob worked hard and honestly for many years to earn his wife. Laban’s deception brought trouble to Jacob, but God still used these events for His plan. The story reminds us to act justly in our relationships and to trust God, even when others are unfair (Genesis 29:15-30 ^a).

v. 15: Laban told Jacob that, even though they were family, Jacob should not work for free. He asked Jacob what he wanted as payment .

v. 16: Laban had two daughters: Leah, the older, and Rachel, the younger .

v. 17: Leah had “tender eyes,” while Rachel was beautiful and attractive. Jacob preferred Rachel .

v. 18: Jacob loved Rachel and offered to work seven years for Laban in exchange for marrying her (Genesis 29:18; Hosea 12:12 ^b).

v. 19: Laban agreed and said it was better for Rachel to marry Jacob than a stranger. He told Jacob to stay and work for him .

v. 20: Jacob worked seven years for Rachel, but the time seemed short because he loved her so much. Love made his hard work feel easy (Genesis 29:20; Hebrews 6:10 ^c).

v. 21: When the seven years were finished, Jacob asked Laban to let him marry Rachel as promised .

v. 22: Laban gathered the people and made a wedding feast for Jacob’s marriage .

v. 23: At night, Laban gave his daughter Leah to Jacob instead of Rachel, and Jacob slept with her without realizing the switch .

v. 24: Laban also gave Leah a servant named Zilpah as her maid .

v. 25: In the morning, Jacob discovered he had married Leah, not Rachel. He asked Laban why he had tricked him after working for Rachel .

v. 26: Laban explained that in their country, the older daughter must marry before the younger. However, he should have told Jacob this earlier .

v. 27: Laban told Jacob to finish the bridal week with Leah, and then he could also marry Rachel if he agreed to work another seven years .

v. 28: Jacob did what Laban said. After the week with Leah, Laban gave Rachel to Jacob as a second wife .

v. 29: Laban gave Rachel a servant named Bilhah to be her maid .

v. 30: Jacob married Rachel and loved her more than Leah. He worked another seven years for Laban after marrying Rachel. This whole situation brought challenges to Jacob’s family, but God still worked through it (Genesis 29:30; Leviticus 18:18 ^d; Matthew 19:5; 1 Corinthians 7:2 ^e).