Was Jacob Doing Evil?

[posthuman]

Rachel was pledged to Jacob, so he did right by marrying her.

Even though he was already married?

 

[Nehemiah6]

Even though he was already married?

Yes. For the patriarchs, polygamy was not considered a sin. In any event, Rachel had been pledged to him, and in reality she was his true wife. The standards are different for Christians.

 

[MyrtleTrees]

dear reader, i'm going to assume you know the story of Jacob, named Israel, and how he came to have both Leah & Rachel as wives, and through them and their two servant women which they gave him as concubines, the 12 tribes of Israel were born. no need to quote all of Genesis 29 and the surrounding chapters to you and go on to recount everything written concerning him in this post.



i'd like to ask -- was Jacob wrong to marry Rachel?
he was already married to Leah - albeit through being deceived - so if it is practically the unanimous agreement among all the churches that polygamy is sinful, was it evil for Jacob to marry Rachel, whom he loved?



i'd like to discuss this both in terms of the practical aspect of Jacob's life and of righteous doings, and also in terms of what these things represent in their Christology ((Jacob is a picture of Christ; the events in his life recorded in scripture are there to teach about Christ; all of this is about Christ, about some spiritual revelation of Him. find Christ in this. find how this speaks of Him.))

i have always assumed that because God blessed him with the 12 sons that became the 12 tribes, God approved. the blessing given in Ruth 4:11 reaffirmed that to me. but maybe i am wrong.

also please don't just give the reply, "well the culture was different then blah blah blah" -- that is not useful at all as an answer.
i'm not talking about what is/was allowed under common law in some specific country at some specific time period. i'm talking about what is righteous in God's eyes.

Yes, it was wrong for him to marry 2 wives. But he and other men of the Old Testament, didn't seem to realize this was improper. Since even godly men like Abraham did it. But it's clear that it is improper as we have the whole Bible. And the Bible forbids marrying more than one wife. Examples:
1 Tim 3:2

2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
KJV

1 Tim 3:12

12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
KJV

Titus 1:6

6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
KJV

1 Cor 6:16

16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.
KJV

Eph 5:31

31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
KJV

 

[dcontroversal]

It is little taught in Local Churches, but the title, "God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob" holds multiple revelations. One of them is that these three men are a picture of God's full salvation. Briefly, Abraham, Syrian idol-worshiper is "called" to leave his past and beliefs and to journey to another place in faith. We Christians have a "heavenly calling" (Heb.3:1). We are called from our earthly origin to become part of a heavenly plan and conclusion. Isaac has to do nothing. He is "HEIR" to Abraham's goods. His life closes with him blind, but he inherits. We are heirs with Christ (i) of God, and (ii) of the world. This inheritance is our birthright. We are elieble for it even if we do not understand it, or "see" it. Jacob is of the "heavenly calling" and is "heir", but he is a picture of God's transforming work.

Being "called" is wonderful, and being made co-heirs of the world with Christ is profound, but God cannot have men and women as heirs who are called "supplanter". "Supplanter", or "crook" is the meaning of Jacob's name. God cannot give Christ's inheritance to a crook. So God begins a transforming work in Jacob so that he can no longer be called "supplanter", but Israel. Jacob, unlike the macho Esau, gains what he wants by "crookery". He is forced to flee because hs brother wants to kill him for his crookery. But God loves Jacob because Jaob was zealous for the birthright. The birthright that Esau was entitled to was (i) a double portion of the inheritance, (ii) he would have been the forefather of Jesus. But Esau, manly as he was, was inwardly indifferent to his inheritance and sold it for the sake of the flesh. He was a man of prowess, but had no faith. He was also a rebel and despised his parents. So God hated him.

Jacob, on the other hand, was zealous for the inheritance, but he gained it by craftiness. It was this trait that God wanted to deal with. So God set Jacob on a path where he would be dealt with. And craftiness is dealt with by more craftiness. Instead of the "Crook" dealing slyly, he was dealt slyly with. Instead of Jacob "supplanting", Laban did the supplanting. The "Crook" got his own medicine. This is the reason that Jacob ended how he did - being cheated by Laban. But God is above men's crookery. God can use everything to His favor, and your favor. Jacob goes through a process of suffering, starting with having to leave his mother and father, and ending with his death - not in the promised Land, but Egypt.

But through all his suffering, Jacob gained a new character. He is no longer "Supplanter", but his name is Israel - "prince or prevailer with God". At his death, he was not blind like Isaac. He was fully enlightened and could accurately bless his sons and require his bones to be carried to his inheritance (Heb.11). Jacob is a picture of Christ dealing with us to make us like Him (Rom.8:29; 2nd Cor.3:18). His life is a very practical example for our lives. Lots of things do not work out like we planned, or even what we worked for. But we will receive a new name and be co-inheritors with Christ.

In closing, how do you readers think that Jacob got Leah instead of Rachel? It reads in Genesis 29:23, "And it came to pass in the evening, that he (Laban) took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him; and he (Jacob) went in unto her." The grammar shows Jacob making love to Leah without protest. How is it possible that he didn't know who he was copulating with? Was he "blind drunk" - or what? I think that there is a a profound truth hidden in this matter that I have no seen yet. Was it to show, in Type, that Jacob was still "blind" spiritually? Any one got an explanation?

Nice analogy.....Did it not say that Jacob did not realize until the morning that he had been tricked<--reaping what he had sown?

Just a thought....and....fairly confident they did not have 100 watt light bulbs but a smokey, dimly lit tent and probably some wine at the wedding feast??? Several possibilities.

 

[MyrtleTrees]

Nice analogy.....Did it not say that Jacob did not realize until the morning that he had been tricked<--reaping what he had sown?

Just a thought....and....fairly confident they did not have 100 watt light J but a smokey, dimly lit tent and probably some wine at the wedding feast??? Several possibilities.

As you say, and some people forget to think of - this wouldn't have happened if Jacob had been more attentive to following God's guidance in his life! He had to run away from home, due to his error of having lied to get his birthright. It's true he may still have chosen to marry a relative. As that was the habit of patriarchs, back then. But still, God would have made things turn out a lot better if he'd been more careful to be more attentive to God's guidance in his life. That's always how it is! When we act in the flesh, there's always adverse affects and regrets to suffer for it.
And as you say, it may not have been light enough for him to see when he took Leah. I had guessed maybe she went to bed with him with her veil on. But maybe your assumption of how it happened may have been more accurate - it seems more reasonable.

 

[garee]

It is little taught in Local Churches, but the title, "God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob" holds multiple revelations. One of them is that these three men are a picture of God's full salvation. Briefly, Abraham, Syrian idol-worshiper is "called" to leave his past and beliefs and to journey to another place in faith. We Christians have a "heavenly calling" (Heb.3:1). We are called from our earthly origin to become part of a heavenly plan and conclusion. Isaac has to do nothing. He is "HEIR" to Abraham's goods. His life closes with him blind, but he inherits. We are heirs with Christ (i) of God, and (ii) of the world. This inheritance is our birthright. We are elieble for it even if we do not understand it, or "see" it. Jacob is of the "heavenly calling" and is "heir", but he is a picture of God's transforming work.

Being "called" is wonderful, and being made co-heirs of the world with Christ is profound, but God cannot have men and women as heirs who are called "supplanter". "Supplanter", or "crook" is the meaning of Jacob's name. God cannot give Christ's inheritance to a crook. So God begins a transforming work in Jacob so that he can no longer be called "supplanter", but Israel. Jacob, unlike the macho Esau, gains what he wants by "crookery". He is forced to flee because hs brother wants to kill him for his crookery. But God loves Jacob because Jaob was zealous for the birthright. The birthright that Esau was entitled to was (i) a double portion of the inheritance, (ii) he would have been the forefather of Jesus. But Esau, manly as he was, was inwardly indifferent to his inheritance and sold it for the sake of the flesh. He was a man of prowess, but had no faith. He was also a rebel and despised his parents. So God hated him.

Jacob, on the other hand, was zealous for the inheritance, but he gained it by craftiness. It was this trait that God wanted to deal with. So God set Jacob on a path where he would be dealt with. And craftiness is dealt with by more craftiness. Instead of the "Crook" dealing slyly, he was dealt slyly with. Instead of Jacob "supplanting", Laban did the supplanting. The "Crook" got his own medicine. This is the reason that Jacob ended how he did - being cheated by Laban. But God is above men's crookery. God can use everything to His favor, and your favor. Jacob goes through a process of suffering, starting with having to leave his mother and father, and ending with his death - not in the promised Land, but Egypt.

But through all his suffering, Jacob gained a new character. He is no longer "Supplanter", but his name is Israel - "prince or prevailer with God". At his death, he was not blind like Isaac. He was fully enlightened and could accurately bless his sons and require his bones to be carried to his inheritance (Heb.11). Jacob is a picture of Christ dealing with us to make us like Him (Rom.8:29; 2nd Cor.3:18). His life is a very practical example for our lives. Lots of things do not work out like we planned, or even what we worked for. But we will receive a new name and be co-inheritors with Christ.

In closing, how do you readers think that Jacob got Leah instead of Rachel? It reads in Genesis 29:23, "And it came to pass in the evening, that he (Laban) took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him; and he (Jacob) went in unto her." The grammar shows Jacob making love to Leah without protest. How is it possible that he didn't know who he was copulating with? Was he "blind drunk" - or what? I think that there is a a profound truth hidden in this matter that I have no seen yet. Was it to show, in Type, that Jacob was still "blind" spiritually? Any one got an explanation?

Amen.

I would offer in a hope of adding. The work was in keeping the idea of the "first born" to represent Jesus the spiritual seed (one) who is signified as our bloody husband because of circummsion .

The literal first born is used to represent in Adam all die. Cain like Esau sold their birth rite seeing no value in the unseen things of God.

Jacob the deceiver signified by those who do wrestle against flesh and blood the things seen. Jacob at birth grasped the heel of Esau desiring to be first. *the things seen .

In a dream had a vision he did "wrestle against flesh and blood" having no power he was overcome .He had no strength coming from within . Israel is the born again name of all who believe having the power of faith within. Today she Christ's bride is called called Christian . It shows us Jacob then did have power to over come .Christ working in his earthen body of death

And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.Genisis 32: 24-28

Jacob was given the faith that comes form hearing God. it worked in him with him to perform the good will of His God Just as it works in us making our burden lighter..

 

[Corban]

"Adultery is the PUTTING AWAY of wives, not the TAKING OF WIVES"

I think you mean to say the putting away of wives and marrying yet other wives again. If these cast off wives remarry, they commit adultery, as do their husbands.

Question: how prevalent was actual polygamy in Jesus's day in Israel?

I am aware that Mark and Luke say what you say here, and I agree with it (and you). But Matthew goes further.

Matthew 5:32; "But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery."

This verse does not in any way contradict the others, but sets forth that the marriage is adulterated by a man putting away his wife. Neither Strong nor Vine enter the etymology of the word, but rather follow the translators. Here in Matthew 5:32 the conjunction "and" joins two different acts, while in Matthew 19, Mark and Luke, the conjunction "and" adds a sequence to the previous act. Research of the root, and/or the etymology give the meaning as "be unfaithful to". Even in English the word "Adulterate" means "rendering something poorer in quality". "Being unfaithful" does not presuppose that sexual relations are needed. Just the act of a woman walking away from her marriage, or a man putting his wife out, "adulterates" a union made by God.

 

[Corban]

Amen.

I would offer in a hope of adding. The work was in keeping the idea of the "first born" to represent Jesus the spiritual seed (one) who is signified as our bloody husband because of circummsion .

The literal first born is used to represent in Adam all die. Cain like Esau sold their birth rite seeing no value in the unseen things of God.

Jacob the deceiver signified by those who do wrestle against flesh and blood the things seen. Jacob at birth grasped the heel of Esau desiring to be first. *the things seen .

In a dream had a vision he did "wrestle against flesh and blood" having no power he was overcome .He had no strength coming from within . Israel is the born again name of all who believe having the power of faith within. Today she Christ's bride is called called Christian . It shows us Jacob then did have power to over come .Christ working in his earthen body of death

And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.Genisis 32: 24-28

Jacob was given the faith that comes form hearing God. it worked in him with him to perform the good will of His God Just as it works in us making our burden lighter..

Thank you for your input. There is much richness in the Typology. It is grand lesson that we have before us. Jacob, who puts the sheep first, then the woman and then himself for fear of his brother, grips God. Whatever the dispute was about Jacob is left unable to run. His MUST trust in God. Sometimes in life, we meet a crippling blow and lament it, but it is God causing us to do what we should have done from the beginning - trust in Him.

 

[Duskey]

God would not have blessed Jacob as He did had Jacob been evil in the eyes of God.

 

[Corban]

God would not have blessed Jacob as He did had Jacob been evil in the eyes of God.

I would go one further. "God would have blessed Jacob anyway, even if he had not gained the birthright by cunning". God goes by the heart. David is chosen above all elder brothers. Jacob's heart was not right towards men, but he coveted something very close to God's heart. God is the Master of circumstances. If He has chosen you, nothing on earth can stop you achieving. If He has not chosen you, there is nothing on earth that can elevate you.

 

[garee]

God would not have blessed Jacob as He did had Jacob been evil in the eyes of God.

God blesses those who do evil. If he begins the good work of salavation we have his promises as our confidence he will not give up on us.(Philippians 1:6 )

Mankind must be born again . marvel not but rather believe. Those who need no blessing go to their own kind of Doctor. Those who are sin sick need the Physician who works his labor of love from within.

Mark 2:17 When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

If we with no power wrestle with Him he will overcome .Together we can make a tag team. I will stay on the ropes holding the water as the water boy.

 

[Mem]

It seems to be a characteristic of God to in mean it unto for good and all what er'body (else) means for evil.

 

[Prycejosh1987]

i'd like to ask -- was Jacob wrong to marry Rachel?
he was already married to Leah - albeit through being deceived - so if it is practically the unanimous agreement among all the churches that polygamy is sinful, was it evil for Jacob to marry Rachel, whom he loved?

Technically Jacob did nothing wrong as he always wanted Rachael, but Laban tricked him into marrying Leah first, I guess in those days, marriage was taken very, very seriously, ironically most of Israel's kings took liberties and starting marrying loads of women. The more partners a person has the more problems it causes, its a shame Solomon and David never learned that. Like father like son.