78
Spiritual Gifts, Volume 3
beheld the countenance of Laban and behold, it was not toward him as
before.”
Jacob was distressed. He knew not which way to turn. He carries
his case to God, and intercedes for direction from him. The Lord
mercifully answers his distressed prayer. “And the Lord said unto
Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred, and I
will be with thee. And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the
field unto his flock, and said unto them, I see your father’s countenance,
that it is not toward me as before; but the God of my father hath been
with me. And ye know that with all my power I have served your father.
And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times;
[119]
but God suffered him not to hurt me.” Jacob related to them the dream
given him of God to leave Laban and go unto his kindred. Rachel
and Leah expressed their dissatisfaction of their father’s proceedings.
As Jacob rehearsed his wrongs to them, and proposed to leave Laban,
Rachel and Leah said to Jacob, “Is there yet any portion or inheritance
for us in our father’s house? Are we not counted of him strangers?
for he hath sold us and hath quite devoured also our money. For all
the riches which God hath taken from our father, that is ours, and our
children’s; now then whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do.”
It was customary anciently for the bridegroom to pay a sum of
money according to his circumstances, to the father of his wife. If he
had no money, or anything of value, his labor was accepted for a stated
length of time before he could obtain the daughter as his wife. This
custom was considered a safeguard to the marriage contract. Fathers
did not consider it safe to trust the happiness of their daughters to men
who had not made sufficient provisions to take care of a family. If
they had not ability to manage business, to acquire cattle or lands,
they were afraid that their lives would be worthless. But that the
truly worthy should not become discouraged, a provision was made
to test the worth of those who had nothing of value to pay for a wife.
[120]
They were permitted to labor for the father whose daughter they loved.
Their labors were engaged for a certain length of time, regulated by the
value of the dowry required for their daughter. In doing this, marriages
were not hasty, and there was opportunity to test the depth of the
affections of the suitor. If he was faithful in his services, and was
otherwise considered worthy, the daughter was given him as his wife.