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Jacob and Esau
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realized the deception that had been practiced upon him, and that
Leah had acted her part in deceiving him, he could not love Leah.
Laban wished to retain the faithful services of Jacob a greater length
of time, therefore deceived him by giving him Leah, instead of
Rachel. Jacob reproved Laban for thus trifling with his affections,
in giving him Leah, whom he had not loved. Laban entreated Jacob
not to put away Leah, for this was considered a great disgrace, not
only to the wife, but to the whole family. Jacob was placed in a most
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trying position, but he decided to still retain Leah, and also marry
her sister. Leah was loved in a much less degree than Rachel.
Laban was selfish in his dealings with Jacob. He thought only of
advantaging himself by the faithful labors of Jacob. He would have
left the artful Laban long before, but he was afraid of encountering
Esau. He heard the complaint of Laban’s sons, saying, “Jacob
hath taken away all that was our father’s; and of that which was
our father’s hath he gotten all this glory. And Jacob 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 carried
his case to God and interceded for direction from Him. The Lord
mercifully answered 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; 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,
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whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do.”