The Power of Attraction

 

    When you meet someone you are attracted to, you want to spend every second with them.  The feelings will either become stronger to the point you feel in love.  Or they will fade out and you can go on with you life with a little more cheer.  Attraction and crushes do give a little more color and excitement.  The problem is when people turn those initial feelings into more than what they are "feelings".  When you give them more power than they are meant to have, then you tend to make some rash decisions.  It is great when they work out and you really do get to true love.  However, most of the time it turns into heart break and regret.

    Jacob arrived to his uncle Laban's property tired and probably a little disheveled.  He saw the herdsmen at the well.  He began to talk to them when Rachel (his cousin) appeared.  (Seems a lot like the story with his mother Rebekah.  That could have been an influencing factor since he was a momma's man.)  Rachel was a shepherdess.  For him, it was love at first sight (crush).  He wanted to get her attention, so he helped roll the stone off the well.  They kept stone over wells so they would not dry out in the sun or fill with sand that was in the air.  Then he watered her sheep for her.  I am sure she enjoyed this attention. 

    When he realized they were related, he gave her the family styled kiss and told her his discovery.  She ran to her father who came to bring Jacob to his house.  Jacob stayed with Laban for a month when he asked to marry the beautiful Rachel.  He was "in love".  He said he would work seven years for her hand and he did.  His crush really did appear to turn into real love.  

    The seven years came to an end and it was time for the wedding.  However, Laban had another daughter named Leah.  It is said she had weak eyes, but maybe that means that she came across weak and plain.  What we do know is the tradition that the older daughter must be married before the younger daughter or daughters.  Jacob was either unaware or thought that the rule would be overlooked since he and Laban had made a deal.  Another thing about weddings was that the woman stayed covered up to the point that you can't see what she looks like.  That is why it was so easy for Laban to trick Jacob.  He kept Rachel away and dressed Leah in the marital clothing.  It was not until the next morning that Jacob realized he had married the wrong sister.  Poor Leah.  As for Jacob, it kind of feels like he got what he deserved for how he had obtained all he had.

    Jacob was not happy, but he did finish the wedding week.  Jacob and Laban agreed that Jacob would work another seven years to have Rachel.  It was a profitable agreement for Laban.  After the wedding week was over, Jacob married his true love, Rachel.  After only a week married, Leah had to share her husband with her sister.  God saw how unhappy Leah was because she was unloved.  God opened her womb and closed Rachel's.  Leah thought when she had Jacob's first son that he would finally love her.  He probably did love the son and probably respected Leah, but he never loved her.  She gave Jacob four sons during the next seven years.  Yet it changed nothing for her.  Jacob only had eyes for Rachel.

Genesis 29