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From Eternity Past
arranged that he should render Laban seven years’ service for the hand
of Rachel.
Jacob’s Love for Rachel
In early times, custom required the bridegroom, before the mar-
riage 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. Fathers did not think
it safe to trust the happiness of their daughters to men who had not
made provision for the support of a family. If they had not sufficient
thrift and energy to manage business and acquire cattle or lands, it was
feared that their life would prove worthless. 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
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regulated by the value of the dowry required. When the suitor was
faithful and proved worthy, he obtained the daughter as his wife.
Generally the dowry which the father had received was given her
at her marriage. In the case of both Rachel and Leah, however, La-
ban selfishly retained the dowry that should have been given them.
They referred to this when they said, just before the removal from
Mesopotamia, “He hath sold us, and hath quite devoured also our
money.”
When the suitor was thus required to render service to secure his
bride, a hasty marriage was prevented. There was opportunity to
test the depth of his affections, as well as his ability to provide for a
family. In our time it is often the case that persons before marriage
have little opportunity to become acquainted with each other’s habits
and disposition. 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. Often the wife and
children suffer from the indolence or vicious habits of the husband and
father. If the character of the suitor had been tested before marriage
according to the ancient custom, great unhappiness might have been
prevented.
Seven years of faithful service Jacob gave for Rachel, and the years
that he served “seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to
her.” But selfish Laban practiced a cruel deception in substituting Leah