Galatians 6:7-8 (New International Version)
"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life."
Jacob was on the run from Esau because he'd tricked his brother out of both of his birthrighs and his father's blessing. One night, during his journey to his uncle Laban's house, Jacob had a dream. Of course that meant Jacob would have many descendents, which also meant he'd be looking for a wife.
Later, Jacob was convinced Rachel, the beautiful daughter of his uncle Laban, was definitely the woman for him. For seven years Jacob worked for his uncle so he'd have the opportunity to marry Rachel, when the day of the wedding came, however, Laban didn't put Rachel behind the wedding veil. Instead, it was his older and less attractive daughter, Leah.
After tricking his brother out of their father's blessing, Jacob had been tricked. So he worked seven more years for the right to marry his beloved Rachel. Was God trying to teach Jacob a lesson by allowing the deceiver to be deceived? Probably. But God's perfect plan was the most important piece of this puzzle. The 12 sons of Jacob would eventually become the pillars of the new nation. And the children of Leah, not Rachel, represented the most influential groups.
God's ways and his timing are perfect. The great people of the Old Testament had to learn that lesson and it's a lesson we're still learning today.
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