Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Genesis
Book: Genesis
Chapter: 29
Overview:
Jacob comes to the
Well of
Haran.
(1-8) His interview with
Rachel,
Laban entertains him.
(9-14) Jacob's
Covenant for
Rachel,
Laban's deceit.
(15-30) Leah's sons.
(31-35)
1-8 Jacob proceeded cheerfully in his
Journey, after the sweet
Communion he had with
God at
Beth-el.
Providence brought him to
the
Field where his uncle's flocks were to be watered. What is
said of the care of the shepherds for their
Sheep, may remind us
of the tender concern which our
Lord Jesus, the great
Shepherd
of the
Sheep, has for his flock the
Church; for he is the good
Shepherd, that knows his
Sheep, and is known of them. The
Stone
at the
Well's mouth was to secure it; water was scarce, it was
not there for every one's use: but separate interests should not
take us from helping one another. When all the shepherds came
together with their flocks, then, like loving neighbours, they
watered their flocks together. The
Law of kindness in the tongue
has a commanding power, Pr 31:26.
Jacob was civil to these
strangers, and he found them civil to him.
9-14 See
Rachel's
Humility and industry. Nobody needs to be
ashamed of honest, useful labour, nor ought it to hinder any
one's preferment. When
Jacob understood that this was his
kinswoman, he was very ready to serve her.
Laban, though not the
best humoured, bade him welcome, and was satisfied with the
account
Jacob gave of himself. While we avoid being foolishly
ready to believe every thing which is told us, we must take heed
of being uncharitably suspicious.
15-30 During the
Month that
Jacob spent as a guest, he was not
idle. Wherever we are, it is good to employ ourselves in some
useful business.
Laban was desirous that
Jacob should continue
with him. Inferior relations must not be imposed upon; it is our
duty to reward them.
Jacob made known to
Laban the
Affection he
had for his
Daughter Rachel. And having
No worldly goods with
which to endow her, he promises
Seven years' service.
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. An
Age of work will be but as a few days to
those that
Love God, and long for
Christ's appearing.
Jacob, who
had imposed upon his
Father, is imposed upon
By Laban, his
Father-in-
Law,
By a like deception. Herein, how unrighteous
soever
Laban was, the
Lord was righteous: see Jud 1:7. Even
the righteous, if they take a false step, are sometimes thus
recompensed in the
Earth. And many who are not, like
Jacob, in
their
Marriage, disappointed in person, soon find themselves, as
much to their grief, disappointed in the character. The choice
of that relation ought to be made with good advice and thought
On both sides. There is reason to believe that
Laban's excuse
was not true. His way of settling the matter made bad worse.
Jacob was drawn into the disquiet of multiplying wives. He could
not refuse
Rachel, for he had espoused her; still less could he
refuse
Leah. As yet there was
No express command against
marrying more than one
Wife. It was in the patriarchs a
Sin of
ignorance; but it will not justify the like practice now, when
God's will is plainly made known
By the Divine
Law, Le 18:18,
and more fully since,
By our
Saviour, that one
Man and
Woman
only must be joined together, 1Co 7:2.
31-35 The names
Leah gave her children, expressed her respect
and regard, both to
God and to her
Husband.
Reuben, or See a
son, with this thought, Now will my
Husband Love me;
Levi, or
joined, expecting, Now will my
Husband be joined unto me. Mutual
Affection is both the duty and comfort of the married relation;
and
Yoke-fellows should study to recommend themselves to each
other, 1Co 7:33,34. She thankfully acknowledges the kind
Providence of
God in hearing her. Whatever supports and comforts
us under
Afflictions, or tends to our deliverance from them,
God
must be owned in it. Her fourth son she called
Judah, or praise,
saying, Now will I praise the
Lord. This was he, of whom, as
concerning the
Flesh,
Christ came. Whatever is the matter of our
rejoicing, ought to be the matter of our thanksgiving. Fresh
favours should quicken us to praise
God for former favours; Now
will I praise the
Lord more and better than I have done. All our
praises must centre in
Christ, both as the matter of them, and
as the
Mediator of them. He descended after the
Flesh from him
whose name was "Praise," and He is our praise. Is
Christ formed
in my
Heart? Now will I praise the
Lord.