Fake. Counterfeit. Pretenders.
What’s the biggest lie you’ve been told? When you discovered the truth, how did that impact you? What about a lie you’ve told? How did that affect someone or the situation? Sometimes, I deny the truth to myself even though I know its reality.
We promise, “Next time, I won’t…” or “If you get me out of this bind, I’ll…” Have you kept all your promises? Does anyone else struggle to commit to certain things or people?
Genesis 31 reveals several situations when the wool is pulled over someone’s eyes. There couldn’t have been enough sheep to supply the wool that blinded those characters.
Genesis 25-30 recaps Jacob’s lying spree. He originally betrayed his father and eventually trapped goats into his muddle of deception. Jacob told Isaac, his aging blind father, that he was his brother Esau. Isaac unknowingly granted Jacob his firstborn’s inheritance. That lie became a stew starter for a boiling cauldron of legal entanglement. The broth thickens….
Jacob fled and found work with Laban, a rich landowner. His youngest daughter Rachel caught Jacob’s eye and Laban promised him a wife after working seven years. Laban used that time to prepare Leah, his oldest daughter, for marriage. Leah is described as a woman with “weak eyes.” I learned this definition isn’t about her eyesight. It translates as someone who isn’t considered the apple of someone’s eyes. Ouch.
Jacob kept his sights on Rachel, his future bride. Seven years later, Laban gave him a wife. The morning after their wedding, Jacob woke to find Leah, not Rachel.
Did Laban make a mistake when he told Jacob he’d give him a wife? No. He left out that teeny job detail. Laban reminded Jacob of his company’s flow chart. It showed Leah, Laban’s oldest, to be first lady to his son-in-law.
After Jacob’s black eye cleared from Laban’s blindside, he agreed to continue working for this father of the brides. Laban modified their contract and pinky swore that Jacob could marry Rachel after seven more laborious years.
Meanwhile, Leah bore several sons in hopes that her husband would see her value. She knew Jacob’s heart was with Rachel. I imagine her self-worth was below eye level, yet she persevered. Seven years later, Laban redeemed himself and granted Jacob with Rachel, wages, and flocks.
However, Jacob hadn’t forgiven Laban’s sham from 14 years ago. He developed a breeding scheme that separated strong goats from weaker ones. Rachel jumped onto the family deception bandwagon and stole her father’s household gods while Laban sheared sheep. She stashed his gods in her camel’s saddle. When Laban searched for them, she claimed she was on her period and unable to stand while he rummaged their belongings. Rachel’s camel was loaded with another pack of family lies.
After the breeding season, Jacob took the strong goats, Rachel, Leah, children, and possessions, and escaped to a foreign country. When Laban discovered their disappearance, he was hurt that they left without saying goodbye.
My heart continues to break for Leah. She must have felt like the sacrificial bride, overshadowed by her sister. She’s considered a foreigner in this new country and disinherited by her family. Truth outshines darkness because Leah bore several children while Rachel remained infertile. (I hope that at least Leah’s children respected and loved her).
Lies. Truth. Consequences. Brother against brother. Employer vs. employee. Husband vs. wife. Sister against sister. Father-in-law vs. son-in-law.
What about Leah? Originally, she was victimized by lies but chose not to remain paralyzed. According to Genesis, Leah kept her track record clear.
Truth is pivotal. Every minute provides an invitation for us to choose honesty. Sometimes we’re tempted to lie or tell half-truths. Past lies don’t have to limit today’s truths.
God gave us His birthright. Now is the time to make our birth right with Him.
Jesus, sometimes truthful exposure hurts. Forgive me when I’ve lied and denied the Truth. Lead me from deception to conception. Birth new life in me. Keep deceit from becoming defeat.
From hindsight to foresight,
Christina
“They speak falsehood to one another; with flattering lips and with a double heart they speak” (Ps. 12:2).