Read GENESIS 29:1–30

Pranksters love playing practical jokes on other people—and there is an ironic humor in seeing the trickster tricked by someone else. Today’s reading portrays such an irony as the trickster Jacob met his match in Uncle Laban.

As the story opens, things seemed to be moving positively for Jacob. He had just received God’s promise of presence and protection, and soon arrived at a well. There, after learning from shepherds that his Uncle Laban was nearby, his cousin Rachel showed up! Jumping into action, Jacob removed the large stone from the well and watered Rachel’s flock.

After revealing his kinship to Rachel, Jacob’s good fortune seemed to continue. When Laban heard the news, he embraced Jacob with words of joyful welcome, “You are my own flesh and blood” (v. 14), and allowed Jacob to remain in his home. Not only had Jacob met with the safety of family, but the beautiful Rachel was promised in marriage in return for Jacob’s labor. It would seem that Jacob had indeed escaped the danger of Esau back home.

But then things took a turn for the worse. Laban’s own character proved to be as duplicitous as Jacob’s. After the agreed years of labor, on the night of the wedding, Laban switched the older sister Leah for the younger Rachel. Notice the irony of Jacob, the trickster’s response: “Why have you deceived me?” (v. 25). In turn, Laban asserted their custom of not having the younger child upstage the older—another ironic jab at Jacob’s own deception for those who know how Jacob secured God’s blessing. In the end, Jacob would get more wives than he bargained for, at a greater cost than he planned. It might seem at this point that God had disappeared from Jacob’s life, but as we will soon see, God never abandons His word once given.

APPLY THE WORD

Jacob’s actions remind us that trusting in our own plans, resources, and ingenuity will not bring about the promises God intends for us. He alone can bring true blessing. In what areas of your life are you trusting more in your own efforts than in God’s leading? Give those aspects of your life over to God, asking Him for the faith to trust Him fully.

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