If you’re reading through the Old Testament for the first time, you might be startled by what you’re finding here. I’ve warned you before that God has chosen to reveal Himself through very human stories. This Bible isn’t the “good parts version,” and if it is, then I’d hate to see the version with all the bad stuff in it.

Today we catch up with Jacob and Rachel and Leah, still living and working for the women’s father, Laban. Jealousy and deception catch up with everybody here. Leah is jealous of Rachel because Jacob loves Rachel more; Rachel is jealous of Leah because Leah is able to have children; Jacob feels ill used by Laban, but then gets back at him by strengthening his own flocks; and finally, Laban’s servants are jealous of Jacob’s wealth. Everybody got that?

So, given all that you know about this family, what do you think Jacob is going to do? Take off while Laban is away, of course!

I reminded you yesterday that you don’t have to like these characters. You’re allowed to acknowledge now that this family has some serious stuff going on. Even though they don’t seem to be aware of it, you’ve surely picked up on the three-generation cycle of jealousy and deception. And you can probably detect that this is all going to end badly. It’s a well-crafted story, but one that’s also all too familiar.

But the subject of the Bible is God, isn’t it? See how Leah reflects on the LORD’s favor, how the LORD “remembers” Rachel, how God pushes Jacob back to his true home, and protects him from Laban’s wrath. Also listen to how Jacob refers to the LORD twice – as the “God of Abraham” and “the Fear of my father, Isaac.”

Remember this week’s verse is Galatians 4:28: Now you brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise.

Genesis chapters 30 and 31. Now let’s read it!