Jacob Marries Rachel Leah and Rachel!
Key verse—Genesis 29:20 “So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.”
Mark Driscoll, of Mars Hill Church, Seattle, WA writes this in his guide to Genesis that he prepared for his church during the sermon series on Genesis:
After beginning his relationship with God on the way, Jacob finally arrives at the home of his uncle Laban who is the brother of his mother Rebekah. There Jacob is welcomed into the family. And, what transpires next is a fitting example of Jacob eventually reaping what he sowed. After tricking his brother Esau out of both his birthright and blessing Jacob seems to think his life is going pretty well as he escaped home before his brother could murder him, was welcomed into his uncle’s household, and met the woman of his dreams, the very lovely Rachel.
Rachel had a sister named Leah who was fourteen years older. Both girls were unmarried, Rachel likely because of her younger age and Leah because she had a wandering crooked eye. Jacob wanted to marry one of the sisters, and not unexpectedly chose the younger and hotter sister with functional eyes. The tricky Laban made Jacob the trickster work for him for seven years to earn the right to marry his youngest daughter, Rachel. This was likely necessary because Jacob arrived empty-handed and would have to work to pay the bride price.
Finally, Jacob got to marry Rachel. But, apparently Jacob had more than a few drinks in him, the face of his bride was covered during the wedding, and the candles were snuffed out in their bridal chambers that night because when Jacob rolled over to gaze into the eyes of his lovely wife he was staring into the crooked eyes of Leah instead of the lovely eyes of Rachel.
Laban tricked the trickster and married off his oldest daughter. When Jacob confronted Laban for doing to him exactly what Jacob had done to Esau his uncle simply stated that it was customary for the oldest child to be provided for before the younger. Laban’s reasoning was true even though his actions were wicked. And, in bitter irony the godless Laban was in fact acting more godly than Jacob who ended up in Laban’s household because he robbed his brother of the rights of the firstborn. In this we see that God did not look favorably on Jacob’s deceitful actions and sought to teach him a lesson through fourteen years of hard work.
But, Jacob loved Rachel so much that he worked another seven years for her father Laban to earn her hand in marriage. And, Jacob finally married Rachel after fourteen years of waiting and loved her more than her sister Leah. This sad truth will lead to many great troubles in the coming scenes of Genesis as the struggle between Jacob and Esau is echoed in the struggle between Rachel and Leah, as well as their sons.
Study Tips
• Note the occurrences of the word “serve” and “work” in your Bible that occur throughout this section. What is God trying to teach Jacob through all of this?
• How is the principle of Galatians 6:7-8 vividly illustrated in this account?
• How is God using Laban who is much like Jacob to change Jacob’s character?
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 
Not to be petty, but Mark has some of his facts a little goofed up.
*The Bible just says Leah had “weak eyes,” and doesn’t say anything about a “wandering crooked eye.”
*Laban didn’t trick Jacob into working for seven years; they mutually agreed upon this as a way to pay for the dowry. In fact, it was Jacob’s idea: “I’ll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.” The trick came later, when he substituted Leah for Rachel.
*The Bible doesn’t say anything about Jacob “having more than a few drinks in him,” so we really don’t know why he doesn’t recognize the difference between Rachel and Leah.
*Jacob didn’t have to wait 14 years to marry Rachel. He only had to finish out the week with Leah and was then able to marry Rachel. He did stay and work for Laban for another 7 years as payment.
It’s important not to assume when reading the Bible, check facts.
Jean ~
Thanks for the corrections! It is very important to have the facts accurate.
Another thing that is messed up in the article is about Jacob tricking his brother. . . Esau had sold his birthright for a “mess of pottage” . . . Jacob was only rightfully taking what was rightfully his. . .