Bargains

Genesis 29:20-30

So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her.

Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife that I may go in to her, for my time is completed.” So Laban gathered together all the people of the place, and made a feast. But in the evening he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob; and he went in to her. (Laban gave his maid Zilpah to his daughter Leah to be her maid.) When morning came, it was Leah! And Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Did I not serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?” Laban said, “This is not done in our country--giving the younger before the firstborn. Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also in return for serving me another seven years.” Jacob did so, and completed her week; then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel as a wife. (Laban gave his maid Bilhah to his daughter Rachel to be her maid.) So Jacob went in to Rachel also, and he loved Rachel more than Leah. He served Laban for another seven years.

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When ordinary lovers
Don't feel what you feel
And real-life situations lose their thrill
Imagination's unreal
Imaginary lover, imaginary lover
You're mine anytime.

"Imaginary Lover" by the Atlanta Rhythm Section from "Champagne Jam" written by Buddy Buie, Dean Daughtry and Robert Nix

Sometimes the world of Genesis seems completely foreign to us. Unless of course you are a fan of daytime drama. This episode has all of the makings of a soap opera. Telenovelas look for this sort of plot.

There is love. There is servitude. There is history. There is tradition. There is deception. There is even euphemism, it is said that Leah had "weak eyes." The New Revised Standard Version notes say that the meaning of that phrase in the Hebrew is "uncertain." Other translations say she is plain. Did she have a hard time with her eyes or was she hard on the eyes? This little question is implied and left to the reader to do with as we please. Since Rachel knocked Jacob over with her beauty, this means we can add jealousy to the list of story elements that make this great drama.

That or an episode of Jerry Springer. But that's a different sort of daytime drama.

Satisfaction guaranteed.

But it is by this model of dysfunction, by this Springer episode thousands of years in the making that the Nation of Israel is born. Jacob became known as Israel, one who perseveres with God. Jacob becomes the father of the twelve tribes. From the tribes will come the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. From the tribe of Judah, from the line of King David come the King of Kings. Out of this display of utter fallen humanity comes the Lord of Lords.

All for the cost of 14 years of servitude... and others will pay so much more. Jacob's getting his part for a bargain price. It is amazing what can come from what can only be imagined. This is our hope, where there is only despair there is still in the background a grain of hope.