Genesis 29:20 Commentary and Bible Study

Jacob is completely overwhelmed with Rachel. If seven years seems like few days, then clearly he was a happy man. He saw her daily, and was in love with her, and was content to wait for her, having opportunity to get to know her well. This was like a happy seven-year engagement for Jacob. Time always seems to drag when we are finding life hard, and to go quickly when we are happy. He has kept his side of the agreement, and, as Calvin says, ‘though dwelling under the same roof, and accustomed to familiar intercourse, Jacob yet conducted himself with modesty, and abstained from impropriety. Therefore at the close of the appointed time he said, “Give me my wife, that I may go in unto her.” by which he implies that she had been hitherto a pure virgin.’ But Laban needs prompting, although he cannot have failed to note that the seven years had passed. Part of his essential nastiness is coming out, and he doesn't seem to keep his part of things at all. Jacob has to say: ‘Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her.’ The narrative puts it, as though Laban would have allowed this to go on indefinitely, if Jacob had not claimed his wife. He was more interested in the service he was getting out of Jacob, and perhaps he had already worked out that he was going to deceive Jacob, and was sufficiently uncomfortable about it to want to put off the evil moment.Nevertheless Laban now realised he had got to act. His honour was at stake, so he ‘gathered together all the men of the place and made a feast’, a traditional way of celebrating a marriage, indeed almost every important occasion was accompanied by festive rejoicing.