The account of Jacob’s long service for Rachel is found in Genesis 29:18–20:
“Now Jacob loved Rachel; so he said, ‘I will serve you seven years for Rachel your younger daughter.’ And Laban said, ‘It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to another man. Stay with me.’ So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed only a few days to him because of the love he had for her.”
Jacob agreed to work seven years as the bride-price for Rachel, demons/”>demonstrating his deep love and commitment. However, Laban deceived Jacob by giving him Leah instead of Rachel on the wedding night, claiming that the custom required the older daughter to marry first (Genesis 29:23–26). To also marry Rachel, Jacob agreed to work an additional seven years (Genesis 29:27–28):
“Then Jacob did so and fulfilled her week. So he gave him his daughter Rachel as wife also; and Laban gave his maid Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as a maid.”
Jacob’s willingness to endure fourteen years of hard labor reveals his devotion to Rachel and his perseverance despite injustice. This account also highlights the theme of sowing and reaping. Jacob, who had deceived Isaac earlier, now experiences deception himself. Yet through this, God’s purposes were being accomplished. From Jacob’s marriages came the twelve sons who would become the tribes of Israel, fulfilling His covenant promises.
This passage teaches that true love is patient and sacrificial, and that God works through even difficult and unfair circumstances to bring about His plan.
