What Goes Around Comes Around (Genesis 29-30)

If ever there was an illustration of why to follow the Biblical maxim: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you," it is found here in Genesis 29-30. We know how Jacob has treated Esau. Jacob has used deception to rob his brother of his blessing rather than trusting God to provide it. Jacob (in concert with his mother) took advantage of his father's weak eye sight to deceive and to trick.

Now, in Genesis 29-30, Jacob has the very same thing done to him. Don't miss the obvious here. The deception that Jacob foisted upon his father, Laban now foists upon him. One might wonder how such a thing could happen. How could one marry the wrong woman and only discover the mistake after the wedding night? Our society's guess would be that alcohol was involved, but that wasn't necessary here. Brides in Jacob's day were covered from head to toe on their wedding day with a veil around their faces. And even on the wedding night, modesty was preserved according to Middle Eastern custom. In the relative dark of a tent, it would have been difficult for Jacob to realize what was happening, especially if the bride was an accomplice.

Whatever the explanation of the deception, one certainly believes that Jacob got what he deserved. In Jacob's deception, the youngest was elevated above the eldest. Now, the eldest (Leah) is elevated above the youngest (Rachel). God has reversed the trick on him.

It is interesting also to note how Leah is described in this passage. She is said to have "weak eyes." Scholars aren't sure what this means. Most think, the phrase was probably a euphemism meaning she was "ugly to the bone." Whatever the phrase's meaning, Leah's condition is not an insignificant detail. Think about it. The one (Jacob) who deceived one with weak eyes (Isaac) now is deceived into receiving one with weak eyes (Leah). At every turn here, the justice is complete.

I think it was on Hollywood Squares that Peter Marshall used to say: "Turn about is fair play." That lesson is certainly learned here. Genesis 29-30 gives us a good reminder: "Do unto others or God may see that the same is done unto you."