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Genesis 29:15-28

⁵Then Laban said to Jacob, “Because you are my kinsman, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what shall your wages be?” ¹⁶Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. ¹⁷Leah’s eyes were lovely, and Rachel was graceful and beautiful. ¹⁸Jacob loved Rachel; so he said, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.” ¹⁹Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to any other man; stay with me.” ²⁰So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her.

²¹Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife that I may go in to her, for my time is completed.” ²²So Laban gathered together all the people of the place, and made a feast. ²³But in the evening he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob; and he went in to her. ²⁴(Laban gave his maid Zilpah to his daughter Leah to be her maid.) ²⁵When 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?” ²⁶Laban said, “This is not done in our country — giving the younger before the firstborn. ²⁷Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also in return for serving me another seven years.” ²⁸Jacob did so, and completed her week; then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel as a wife.

• Spend 5 to 15 minutes in silent meditation using your deep breathing to guide you.
• Notice who you identify with in the story?
• See yourself as this person in the story in your silent meditation.
• What lies and deceit do you notice?  How is this reflected in your life?  How is God at work in the lying and the deceit?
• What love and care do you notice?  How is this reflected in your life?  how is God at work in the loving and caring?
• What growth is God calling you to?
• Feel free to visit this story again this week and see if you identify with someone else in the story.
• Give thanks to God for your time in prayer and anything new you have received.
• Share as you feel led in the reply box below.