Genesis 29

Theme of Genesis 29

Jacob is deceived by Laban and begins his family

Who was Jacob

Son of Isaac and Rebekah

Who was Laban

Jacob’s uncle, Rebekah’s brother

Who was Rachel

Laban’s younger daughter loved by Jacob

Who was Leah

Laban’s older daughter

Who was Zilpah

Leah’s maid

Who was Bilhah

Rachel’s maid

Family tree

Abraham + Sarah → Isaac + Rebekah → Jacob → Leah and Rachel

Where did Jacob travel

Haran

What did Jacob find

A well with shepherds and three flocks

Why was the stone important

It covered the well until all flocks arrived

Who did Jacob ask about

Laban

Who arrived

Rachel with the sheep

What was Rachel’s job

Shepherdess

What did Jacob do for Rachel

Rolled away the stone and watered her flock

What emotional reaction did Jacob have

Kissed Rachel and cried

Why did Jacob cry

Joy and God’s guidance

How did Laban respond

Welcomed Jacob warmly

How long did Jacob stay initially

One month

What did Laban ask Jacob

What wages he wanted

Leah’s description

Older with lovely eyes

Rachel’s description

Younger, beautiful and shapely

What did Jacob offer

Work 7 years for Rachel

Why did 7 years feel short

Because he loved Rachel

What happened after 7 years

Laban held a wedding feast

What did Laban do

Tricked Jacob by giving Leah

What shocked Jacob in the morning

It was Leah

What did Jacob ask Laban

“Why have you cheated me?”

Laban’s excuse

Older daughter must marry first

What deal did Laban offer

Jacob marries Rachel after 1 week but works 7 more years

Main lesson here

The deceiver (Jacob) is now deceived

What did Jacob do next

Completed the week and married Rachel

Who did Jacob love more

Rachel

How long did Jacob work total

14 years

What did God notice

Leah was unloved

What did God do

Blessed Leah with children

Rachel’s situation

Unable to have children at that time

Who was Leah’s first son

Reuben

Meaning of Reuben

“The LORD has seen my suffering”

What did Leah hope

Jacob would love her

Who was Leah’s second son

Simeon

Meaning of Simeon

“The LORD heard”

What did Leah believe

God heard her

Who was Leah’s third son

Levi

Meaning of Levi

“Attached” or “Joined”

What did Leah hope

Jacob would become attached

Who was Leah’s fourth son

Judah

Meaning of Judah

“Praise”

Leah’s focus now

Praising God

Why is Judah important

The line of David and Jesus comes from Judah

Order: first event

Jacob arrives in Haran

Order: second event

Jacob meets Rachel

Order: third event

Jacob works 7 years

Order: fourth event

Laban deceives Jacob

Order: fifth event

Jacob marries Leah

Order: sixth event

Jacob marries Rachel

Order: seventh event

Jacob works 7 more years

Order: eighth event

Reuben is born

Order: ninth event

Simeon is born

Order: tenth event

Levi is born

Order: final event

Judah is born

What lesson about deception

Deception has consequences

How is this shown

Jacob deceived before and is now deceived

What lesson about God and pain

God sees those who feel unloved

What lesson about love

Jacob worked 14 years for Rachel

What lesson about families

God works through imperfect families

Jacob’s qualities

Hard-working, loving but previously deceptive

Rachel’s qualities

Beautiful and loved but barren at first

Leah’s qualities

Faithful and fruitful but unloved

Laban’s qualities

Hospitable but deceptive