Our daily reflections follow the M'Cheyne Bible reading plan, designed for those who want to read the whole Bible in one year. Each reflection focuses on one of the chapters from that day's readings. Darllenwch rhain yn Gymraeg.
Lord, prepare me to receive your word. Clear my mind and warm my heart. Assure me of your loving purposes for me, and speak into my life today.
Jacob's brother Esau has been marrying women from Canaan, who worshipped other gods. Jacob has been sent on a long journey to find a wife from his own people. Those were very different times: polygamy was standard, and the individualism, personal freedom and romance we think is normal in relationships didn't exist. People lived within a network of family and tribal obligations; Jacob, with all his faults, recognised this, while Esau seems to have held them much more lightly. That's not to say they didn't fall in love: Jacob did with Rachel, and his father-in-law Laban traded unworthily on this. Jacob the deceiver was deceived.
This chapter and the next speak of the rivalry between the two sisters for Jacob's affections, made even more bitter by Rachel's childlessness. This theme is also seen in 1 Samuel 1, where two wives are again at loggerheads. Perhaps it's an implicit criticism of polygamy, which is a fundamentally unequal relationship.
The only ray of light in this story is Jacob's deep love for Rachel. He does not count the cost, but pays Laban's price. Much of the cultural background of the time is strange to us, and Jacob often behaves very badly. But his willingness to serve so many years for her shows he's capable of a passionate constancy.
All of us are flawed, but that doesn't mean we can't aspire to the same deep commitment.
God, thank you for your commitment to me. Keep me faithful in all my relationships, and keep me faithful to you.
This reflection was written by Mark Woods, Bible Society's Editor
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