Jacob and Rachel (Genesis 29:15-28)
The Old Testament reading today is about how Jacob is looking for a wife, and falls in love with Rachel. While her father, Laban, is compliant with this request, he makes Jacob work for 7 years for her hand in marriage. On the night of the wedding, Laban tricks Jacob and sends Leah to sleep with him. All we know about Leah is she older and has 'weak eyes' - don't we all, Leah. Jacob is outraged, but honours his marital week with Leah and then also gets to marry Rachel after another 7 years of work.
Sharing hard storiesSharing hard stories like this one can feel like a minefield in children's ministry! Where do you start! It can be tempting to look at the bible characters in this story and connect this to some moral outcome or behaviour modification, but a bigger question would be where is God in this story?
Leaving out difficult content to make it age appropriate is not diluting the story, it's being careful and considerate of the children you have in your care. We also need to not glamourise and make people 'heroes' when they actually weren't. "Laban was just fulfilling God's promises and it all worked out ok" vs Laban deceived Jacob, and God used the situation regardless of the lies and manipulation he held over Jacob. |
God keeps his promisesThis story focusses on the broader topic of 'keeping your promise', and brings into light the idea of integrity and staying true to your word.
Jacob loved Rachel so much that he worked humbly and diligently for another 7 years for Laban, although he realised that he could no longer trust his father in law - the only thing that Jacob could trust in was God. |
Media
There are some helpful animated videos of this story, that help unpack it in a child friendly way!
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