Holly Bible - KJV with Concise Commentaries by Z Selam - HTML preview
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bestow her upon him for his wife. It appears by computation that Jacob was now seventy-seven years old when he bound himself apprentice for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep, Ho 12:12. His posterity are there reminded of it long afterwards, as an instance of the meanness of their origin: probably Rachel was young, and scarcely marriageable, when Jacob first came, which made him the more willing to stay for her till his seven years' service had expired.
16 And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and
the name of the younger was Rachel.
17 Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well-favored. 18 And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for
Rachel thy younger daughter.
19 And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should
give her to another man: abide with me.
20 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 honest performance of his part of the bargain, Ge 29:20. He served seven years for Rachel. If Rachel still continued to keep her father's sheep (as she did, Ge 29:9), his innocent and religious conversation with her, while they kept the flocks, could not but increase their mutual acquaintance and affection (Solomon's song of love is a pastoral); if she now left it off, his easing her of that care was very obliging. Jacob honestly served out his seven years, and did not forfeit his indentures, though he was old; nay, he served them cheerfully: They seemed to him but a few days, for the love he had to her, as if it were more his desire to earn her than to have her. Note, Love makes long and hard services short and easy; hence we read of the labour of love, Heb 6:10. If we know how to value the happiness of heaven, the sufferings of this present time will be as nothing to us in comparison of it. An age of work will be but as a few days to those that love God and long for Christ's appearing.
21 And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are
fulfilled, that I may go in unto her.
22 And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a
feast.