#In-laws: The World According to Jacob

Okay, let’s talk about #in-laws. Now, I’ve never been married, so I can’t really speak to this topic (but, I will anyway…who am I kidding?). In-laws are kind of like the parental commentators you never had or ever wanted. 

Let’s take a look back at our biblical family-man, Jacob. So, Jacob tricks Esau into giving his birthright away for some stew (a lesson in not committing to something in haste). Afterward, their relationship further deteriorates when Jacob steals his father’s blessing and Esau plans to kill him. 

So, Jacob is on the run. But, he’s not too scared to be thinking about chicks (a guy’s guy for sure). He heads to his cousin’s house to look for a wife. 

And then, Jacob sees her. Rachel. He falls in love with her immediately (love at first sight is biblical?).

#In-laws

Now, here’s where the plot thickens. Rachel has an older sister Leah, who is not quite as pretty (to put it politely). At this time, Jacob meets with Laban, Rachel’s father, to discuss taking her hand in marriage. Her father offers Rachel to Jacob in exchange for serving seven years as a payment or dowry. So, Jacob has to work for seven years before he can marry Rachel.

But, get this. Once he finishes the seven years, Laban has to make good on his promise.

But in the evening he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob, and he went in to her (Genesis 29:23 ESV).

The guy works for Laban for seven years! And, on his wedding night, his father-in-law substitutes his other daughter in place of Rachel! #in-laws

Poor Jacob

When Jacob wakes up the next morning, he realizes what happened! But, Jacob still has his heart set on Rachel. So, he works another seven years and marries her (what dedication!).

What a crazy story! 

But, and here’s my point: everything works out how it was supposed to. God uses Jacob, Leah, Rachel, and their handmaids in the biggest way possible. God creates the twelve tribes of Israel from the twelve children of Jacob. Without Leah, we’d be missing a significant chunk of tribes.

Now, I’m not saying their behavior was right. I’m saying that simply because a family member asks wrongly doesn’t mean things won’t turn out how they’re supposed to in the end. Your #in-laws can’t thwart your purpose in your life, in your marriage, or in your family. God is simply bigger than that.

I feel certain that your relatives have not been through this exact scenario (I hope not!), but I’m sure your family has had their own struggles, potentially some of them with #in-laws. And, these struggles help you to grow (like it or not).

While you may not be on the best of terms with your in-laws (Jacob wasn’t), know that God can use you and your family’s mistakes and everyone’s weaknesses. And your in-laws, with what they add to your family (though possibly irritating to you), are part of God’s plan.

Love, K.