Knowing The Word in Genesis 29:21-30, Good Morning Leah!

21 Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife [demanding her, suggesting that Laban may have been slow to respond to Jacob’s completed work] that I may go in to her [for sexual relations], for my time is completed.” 22 So Laban gathered together all the people of the place and made a feast. 23 But in the evening he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob, and he went in to her. [It was customary that at the end of the first day celebration the groom wrapped his cloak around the bride, who was veiled throughout the ceremony, and took her into the nuptial chamber to consummate the wedding. We know that Laban has already fooled Jacob. The lateness of the hour, perhaps too much wine on Jacob’s part, and the veil allowed Laban to pull off the switch.] 24 (Laban gave his female servant Zilpah to his daughter Leah to be her servant.) 25 And in the morning, behold, it was Leah! And Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? [God said the same thing to Eve.] Did I not serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?” [The archdeceiver has himself been deceived!] 26 Laban said, “It is not so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn. [Is Laban alluding to Jacob before Esau? There is poetic justice in Laban’s deception.] 27 Complete the week of this one [the wedding week], and we will give you the other also in return for serving me another seven years.” [Laban’s offer is rather harsh: 14 years of total service.] 28 Jacob did so, and completed her week. Then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife. 29 (Laban gave his female servant Bilhah to his daughter Rachel to be her servant.) 30 So Jacob went in to Rachel also, and he loved Rachel more than Leah, and served Laban for another seven years. [All is not well on the inside, although from outward appearance it may appear to be one, big happy family. Nowhere in the Bible do we find that having more than one spouse is good. Laban has set Jacob up for a lifetime of family problems. However, God will use Laban’s messy deception for his purposes.]