1. School of Hard Knocks (Life) Genesis 29
Love at First Sight The Deceiver Deceived Growth in Grace

2. School of Hard Knocks (Life) Genesis 29
Love at First Sight
Jacob loved Rachel from their first encounter.
Jacob worked hard at menial labor in order to “earn” Rachel.
Jacob continued to love her throughout his life.
After his vision at Bethel, Jacob went on joyfully with the burden of Esau lifted and his guilt of Isaac freed.

3. School of Hard Knocks (Life) Genesis 29
Love at First Sight
First impressions
Jacob notices Rachel before he notices the sheep.
He tries to send away the other shepherds (probably boys) so he can be alone with her.
Then he shows off by lifting the cover off the well.
Notice how God led Jacob to this well to meet Rachel just as He had led Abraham’s servant to Rebekah.

4. School of Hard Knocks (Life) Genesis 29
Love at First Sight
Evidence of Jacob’s great love for Rachel
Jacob passes on the blessing to Joseph and his two sons some 70 years later – Genesis 48:7
On Jacob’s death bed in the middle of the blessing he is reminded of his great love.
What a great love that survives even death.
Notice how patient Jacob’s love for Rachel was.

5. School of Hard Knocks (Life) Genesis 29
The Deceiver Deceived
God now begins to teach Jacob.
“the way of the unfaithful is hard” – Proverbs 13:15.
Laban’s hospitality runs out and Jacob now works for wages.
Jacob becomes a servant.
The deal is to work seven years for the love of his life Rachel.
Now Jacob is deceived!

6. School of Hard Knocks (Life) Genesis 29
The Deceiver Deceived
Laban’s deception
Leah was dressed in Rachel’s clothing.
Leah was apparently silent.
Irony #1 – Jacob was told that Esau would serve him but first he must serve Laban.
Irony #2 – given Leah first then Rachel, Jacob learned that the right of the first born must be respected.
Irony #3 – Jacob is deceived by Rachel’s father, the reverse.

7. School of Hard Knocks (Life) Genesis 29
Growth in Grace
“The ends justify the means.”
Jacob saw this principle as true with his deception of Isaac.
Now that it is done to him he sees the other side.
Although angry Jacob seems to have softened in his response.
Nowhere does Jacob ever berate Leah and is pretty calm with Laban also.

8. School of Hard Knocks (Life) Genesis 29
Growth in Grace
A lesson learned as the pent up anger of Jacob berates Laban.
Exacting hard service.
Changing his wages 10x.
Trying every means possible to keep his property and turn Jacob away empty handed.
Jacob never mentions in this outburst the 14 years he worked for his wives.

9. School of Hard Knocks (Life) Genesis 29
Application
Are you asking God to teach you in all of life’s difficult circumstances?
Are you growing in the grace and nurture of the Lord?
How are you doing that?