How wonderfully our God shows the challenges and victories in marriage as we read the Book of Genesis. We learn that Adam and Eve forgave one another, Noah and his wife faithfully obeyed God’s command to save life on the earth, Abraham and Sarah believed God’s promise to have a son in whom all nations would be blessed, and Isaac and Rebekah walked with God to help their son, Jacob, overcome the hateful attacks of his brother Esau.
For the Love He Had to Her
Jacob moved away from his parents and found a loving wife named Rachel.
Genesis 28:5:
And Isaac sent away Jacob: and he went to Padanaram unto Laban, son of Bethuel the Syrian, the brother of Rebekah, Jacob’s and Esau’s mother.
When Jacob arrived in Mesopotamia, he asked the local shepherds if they knew his Uncle Laban, Rebekah’s brother. Not only did they know Laban, they said that his daughter, Rachel, was coming at that very moment. It reminds me of how Rebekah showed up at the right time to meet Abraham’s steward, Eliezer, at the well years before.
Genesis 29:1-6:
Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east.
And he looked, and behold a well in the field, and, lo, there were three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks: and a great stone was upon the well’s mouth.
And thither were all the flocks gathered: and they rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stone again upon the well’s mouth in his place.
And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence be ye? And they said, Of Haran are we.
And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? And they said, We know him.
And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said, He is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep.
When Jacob met Rachel, he wept for joy. In many ways it was “love at first sight.”
Genesis 29:9-11:
And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep: for she kept them.
And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother’s brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother’s brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother’s brother.
And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept.
Laban offered to pay Jacob in return for working with Laban’s flocks. Jacob was so devoted to Rachel that he promised to serve Laban seven years in order to marry her. Laban agreed, and the “time flew” as Jacob encouraged himself in the hope of being married to Rachel.
Genesis 29:16-20:
And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.
Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured.
And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.
And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me.
And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.
Jacob’s attitude in verse 20 reminds me of the year that my wife and I spent apart before we were married. In fact, this verse was a favorite of ours to think about during that time. When a couple is lovingly devoted to one another, they can endure even temporary physical separation. For their hearts are knit together in love.
Jacob and Joseph
Jacob and Rachel’s marriage was not without its challenges. Laban tricked Jacob into marrying his firstborn daughter, Leah. And Rachel was unable to have children. This caused contention between Jacob and Rachel.
Genesis 30:1,2:
And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die.
And Jacob’s anger was kindled against Rachel: and he said, Am I in God’s stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb?
Jacob continued to favor Rachel, and later she became pregnant.
Genesis 30:22-24:
And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb.
And she conceived, and bare a son; and said, God hath taken away my reproach:
And she called his name Joseph….
Sadly, Rachel died some time later. Jacob deeply mourned her.
Genesis 35:19,20:
And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem.
And Jacob set a pillar upon her grave: that is the pillar of Rachel’s grave unto this day.
Jacob’s devoted love for Rachel was carried on in his love for her firstborn son, Joseph. He chose Joseph as his heir over his many other sons, and showed it by giving Joseph a “a coat of many colours.” This robe was a symbol that Joseph was Jacob’s chosen heir.
Genesis 37:3:
Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours.
Joseph faced many challenges from his jealous brothers. When they sold Joseph into slavery and told Jacob that he was dead, Jacob wept bitterly at the loss of his son by Rachel.
Genesis 37:31-35:
And they took Joseph’s coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood;
And they sent the coat of many colours, and they brought it to their father; and said, This have we found: know now whether it be thy son’s coat or no.
And he knew it, and said, It is my son’s coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces.
And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days.
And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him.
Years later, after Joseph had become second only to Pharaoh in commanding Egypt, he sent proof to Jacob that he was still alive. When Jacob saw the wagons that Joseph sent from Egypt, he realized that his beloved son still lived. And his heart was rekindled.
Genesis 45:27,28:
And they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said unto them: and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived [Greek, anazōpureō, to stir a flame to life again]:
And Israel [Jacob] said, It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die.
When Jacob knew that he was about to die, he blessed his sons. Jacob gave Joseph a double blessing. Joseph received one portion above his brothers. That is why two of Israel’s tribes were named for Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh.
Genesis 48:21,22:
And Israel [Jacob] said unto Joseph, Behold, I die: but God shall be with you, and bring you again unto the land of your fathers.
Moreover I have given to thee one portion above thy brethren.
Jacob and Rachel loved each other devotedly. Even after Rachel’s death, Jacob loved her firstborn son. We can have that kind of love in our marriages as we set our spouses to be our first priority. Then we care for our children with great love, listening to God as we raise them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Love and Marriage: Examples in Genesis
Genesis gives great examples of married couples who did their best to walk with God and obey Him. As born-again believers who are married, we have the gift of holy spirit to help us do the same. We can have:
- Honest forgiveness for each other to move ahead in life like Adam and Eve
- Faithful obedience to carry out God’s will like Noah and his wife
- Trust in God to see His promises come to pass like Abraham and Sarah
- Walking with God to do what is right like Isaac and Rebekah
- Loving devotion for each other like Jacob and Rachel
Let’s learn from these great believers and live God’s Word in our marriages today.
