21. Jacob said, Give me my wife--At the expiry of the stipulated term the marriage festivities were held. But an infamous fraud was practised on Jacob, and on his showing a righteous indignation, the usage of the country was pleaded in excuse. No plea of kindred should ever be allowed to come in opposition to the claim of justice. But this is often overlooked by the selfish mind of man, and fashion or custom rules instead of the will of God. This was what Laban did, as he said, "It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the first-born." But, then, if that were the prevailing custom of society at Haran, he should have apprized his nephew of it at an early period in an honorable manner. This, however, is too much the way with the people of the East still. The duty of marrying an elderdaughter before a younger, the tricks which parents take to get off an elder daughter that is plain or deformed and in which they are favored by the long bridal veil that entirely conceals her features all the wedding day, and the prolongation for a week of the marriage festivities among the greater sheiks, are accordant with the habits of the people in Arabia and Armenia in the present day.
JFB.
Outline
1 Jacob comes to the well of Haran
9 Jacob meets Rachel
13 Jacob is entertained by Laban
18 He covenants for Rachel
23 Jacob is deceived with Leah
28 Jacob marries Rachel also, and serves for her seven years
more
32 Leah bears Reuben
33 Simeon
34 Levi
35 and Judah
Map of the World of Abraham
The World of Abraham, the first Hebrew
Ancient Customs
Well stones
Roll the stone from the well's mouth
Names Significance
Flocks of Sheep
High day
Men Kissing
Marrying relatives
Weak eyed
Brides Bought
Marriage Feast
The Eldest Marries First
Handmaid
Praise the LORD
Geography
The land of the people of the east.
Haran
The Old Testament
Genesis Resources
Creation
Adam and Eve
The
Flood
The Tower of Babel
Abraham the First Hebrew
Isaac, Son of Promise
Jacob
and the 12 Tribes
Joseph
and Egypt