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Seven Short Years, March 1
Genesis 29:1-20
And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a
few days, for the love he had to her.
Genesis 29:20
.
How different his [Jacob’s] arrival from that of Abraham’s messenger nearly
a hundred years before! The servant had come with a train of attendants riding
upon camels, and with rich gifts of gold and silver; the son was a lonely, footsore
traveler, with no possession save his staff. Like Abraham’s servant, Jacob tarried
beside a well, and it was here that he met Rachel, Laban’s younger daughter....
Though he came portionless and unattended, a few weeks showed the worth of
his diligence and skill, and he was urged to tarry. It was arranged that he should
render Laban seven years’ service for the hand of Rachel.
In early times custom required the bridegroom, before the ratification of a
marriage engagement, to pay a sum of money or its equivalent in other property,
according to his circumstances, to the father of his wife. This was regarded as
a safeguard to the marriage relation.... But provision was made to test those
who had nothing to pay for a wife. They were permitted to labor for the father
whose daughter they loved, the length of time being regulated by the value of
the dowry required. When the suitor was faithful in his services, and proved in
other respects worthy, he obtained the daughter as his wife; and generally the
dowry which the father had received was given her at her marriage....
The ancient custom, though sometimes abused, as by Laban, was productive
of good results. When the suitor was required to render service to secure his
bride, a hasty marriage was prevented, and there was opportunity to test the
depth of his affections, as well as his ability to provide for a family. In our time
many evils result from pursuing an opposite course. It is often the case that
persons before marriage have little opportunity to become acquainted with each
other’s habits and disposition, and, so far as everyday life is concerned, they are
virtually strangers when they unite their interests at the altar. Many find, too late,
that they are not adapted to each other, and lifelong wretchedness is the result of
their union
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1
Patriarchs and Prophets, 188, 189
.
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