Story 10: God Fulfills His Promise

Genesis 29:1-35, 30:1-24

The Bridge: Remember God’s promise to Abraham to give him many descendants through Isaac’s descendants? While Esau, Isaac’s firstborn was traditionally the one who would receive Isaac’s inheritance, God chose to work through Jacob, the second-born son to make the nation of Israel.

The Story:

• While living with his uncle Laban, Jacob fell in love with Laban’s younger daughter, Rachel. When Laban asked what wages he should pay Jacob for his work, Jacob said, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel” (Genesis 29:18).
• “So Jacob served seven years for Rachel and they seemed to him but a few days because of his love for her” (Genesis 29:20). On the night of the marriage, Jacob was deceived into marrying Leah, the older daughter first (Genesis 29:21-25).
• When Jacob protested, Laban said, “It is not the practice in our place to marry off the younger before the firstborn. Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also for the service which you shall serve with me for another seven years” (Genesis 29:26-27).
• “Jacob did so and completed her week, and he gave him his daughter Rachel as his wife” (Genesis 29:28).
• Through Rachel, Leah, and their maids Zilpah and Bilhah, eleven sons were born while Jacob was with Laban (Genesis 29:31-30:24). Later a twelfth son would be born (Genesis 35:18). Eventually, the families of these sons became the Twelve Tribes of Israel (Genesis 49:28).

What was God revealing in choosing the second-born, Jacob, to fulfil His promise to Abraham?