Working Toward A Goal

Working Toward a Goal

Q: How many years did Jacob work for Laban for the privilege of marrying Rachel?

• a. 1
• b. 7
• c. 14

Jacob fled from home and traveled to Haran. He arrived in time to move the heavy stone from the mouth of a well and help his cousin Rachel water her father’s flocks.

After Jacob had lived with his uncle for about a month, Laban asked him what wages he wanted for the work he was doing. Jacob wanted to marry Rachel. (Back then cousins could marry.) He agreed to work seven years in order to marry Rachel. Jacob was so in love with Rachel that it didn’t seem like a long time to him. But Jacob received a big surprise later when he found out he’d married Rachel’s sister, Leah, who was covered by a veil at the wedding. Jacob, who had helped deceive his brother, had now been deceived by his uncle!

Laban told Jacob the oldest daughter had to marry first. He promised Jacob that once his wedding week was over, he could marry Rachel, too. But he had to stay and work another seven years after that to pay for her.

Jacob was willing to work hard for what he wanted and not give up. He worked fourteen years for Rachel. That is a long time, but Jacob pressed on and accomplished his goal.

For You

Sometimes it seems hard to wait or to work toward a goal that is a long way off, but when you achieve the goal, you have a sense of accomplishment for sticking with it. Is there something you want? Are you willing to work for it? Ask God and your parents to help you set a goal for yourself and take one step each day toward reaching it.

Answer: c

“It’s not our custom here to marry off a younger daughter ahead of the firstborn,” Laban replied. “But wait until the bridal week is over, then we’ll give you Rachel, too—provided you promise to work another seven years for me.” So Jacob agreed to work seven more years.   Genesis 29:26-28

(The Whole Story: Genesis 29:1-30)