Jacob is a man after my own heart.
I love the fact that, in Genesis 30:26, this man recognized his responsibility and assumed his role as a husband, father, and provider.
He worked hard to take care of his family.
Many are familiar with 1 Timothy 5:8, "If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
" (NIV) Let's look at how Jacob puts these words into action.
Honorable husband In honoring the customs of that time, Jacob worked for his father-in-law, Laban, for 14 years in order to earn the hands of Leah and Rachel in marriage.
The original agreement was seven years for Rachel, but Laban deceived Jacob and gave his older daughter, Leah, to Jacob first.
He had to work seven additional years for Rachel.
I think it is important to note here that Jacob handled Laban's deception in an upstanding manner.
Rather than call Laban out for the misdeed, he willingly added another seven years of service to the agreement so that he could have his bride.
Now that's what I call love! Jacob displayed the attitude we should have when we are at work.
Things may not always go as planned.
Things may not always be easy.
Employers and clients renege on verbal agreements.
There will be times where we just have to roll with the punches.
We will have to keep moving forward even when the circumstances don't seem fair.
Jacob may not have liked the agreement, but he kept his eye on the bigger picture - at the end of the day, he still had the love of his life at his side.
Hardworking father The weddings took place in the middle of the years of service.
So, Jacob worked seven years, married both women, and then worked an additional seven years.
During the second set of seven years, children were born into the unions.
Growing up, I'm sure they came to know about marriage arrangement.
They probably not only heard about it, but they were also able to watch their father work hard for their grandfather.
Fathers need to be positive examples for their children of what the head of the household should look like.
Boys should learn how to provide for their families.
Girls should see how their prospective husbands should treat them.
Honest provider In all of Jacob's years of service to Laban, we do not hear of any misappropriations.
Jacob handled everything honestly.
In fact, this is confirmed by Laban's statement in Genesis 30:27.
He tells Jacob, "I have learned by divination that the LORD has blessed me because of you.
" (NIV) When we are good stewards over whatever God has entrusted to us, many people around us will also be positively impacted.
Since Jacob handled his responsibilities appropriately, his employer was blessed.
In turn, when business went well, everyone involved in Laban's business was also blessed.
Our stewardship has a domino effect.
Let's remember that as we handle our given responsibilities both at home and at work.