What does Genesis 29:28 mean?
Jacob's name literally means "usurper," or "leg-puller" (Genesis 25:26). When he manipulated his older brother out of a birthright, and stole a blessing from his father through deception, he lived up to his name (Genesis 27:34–36). Fallout from those acts of deceit are a major reason Jacob was forced to flee Canaan, in order to live with Laban (Genesis 27:41; Genesis 28:1–2). In what seemed like a stroke of luck, at least for Jacob, he found a woman he loved so much that he was willing to work seven years for the right to marry her: Rachel, the younger daughter of Laban (Genesis 29:16–20).In a deeply ironic twist, however, Jacob the cheater has run into a true master manipulator in Laban. Having tricked Jacob into consummating a legal marriage with the older daughter, Leah, instead of Rachel (Genesis 29:23–25), he has made Jacob a new offer: Agree to work for me another seven years, and you can marry Rachel next week (Genesis 29:27).
Laban's excuse (Genesis 29:26) and updated offer are both abusive and completely unfair. And yet, Jacob agrees. He's not only stuck, to some extent, he's also still desperately in love with Rachel. A week after what he thought would be the beginning of a new life with Rachel, he will find himself married to both his true love and her sister. And, unfortunately, on the hook for another seven years of free labor for his uncle.
