Sometimes life puts you in a situation never asked for
PART ONE:
She stepped into the tent. Darkness enveloped the room as her father lowered the cover over its entrance and left. She saw Jacob’s outline through the glow of one lonely candle.
“Come to me my bride.” He rose and held out his arms for her. For the past seven years she watched this man toil in the sun, caring for her father’s flocks. At the end of each day as the women served the meal, Jacob would jest and exclaim that seven years is but a few days when you are in love. Soft giggles filled the room in return. He was kind, affectionate and devoted.
His calloused fingers lifted her veil. His breath was warm on her neck, as he peeled her clothes away from her trembling body.
“I loved you from the moment I beheld your beauty at the well.” She recalled his supernatural strength when he rolled the stone cover off the well and watered her father’s animals. A tear trickled down her cheek. He kissed her forehead and continued exploring her face with his lips.
“You are my life Rachel,” he whispered as he led her to his bed.
After they made love she lay in his arms, dreading the sunrise. Panic, shame and grief churned in her stomach. How could she have done this to such a kind man? How could she do this to her sister? She had no choice.
Leah obsessed over her father’s motives. Was he just following the patriarchal laws of marrying off the eldest daughter first, or was he using her as a pawn against Jacob?
“Forgive me,” Leah whispered into the night. She hoped one day Jacob could love her even a fraction of what he loved Rachel, her sister.
The Story of Leah, Rachel and Jacob: Genesis 29, 30
She stepped into the tent. Darkness enveloped the room as her father lowered the cover over its entrance and left. She saw Jacob’s outline through the glow of one lonely candle.
“Come to me my bride.” He rose and held out his arms for her. For the past seven years she watched this man toil in the sun, caring for her father’s flocks. At the end of each day as the women served the meal, Jacob would jest and exclaim that seven years is but a few days when you are in love. Soft giggles filled the room in return. He was kind, affectionate and devoted.
His calloused fingers lifted her veil. His breath was warm on her neck, as he peeled her clothes away from her trembling body.
“I loved you from the moment I beheld your beauty at the well.” She recalled his supernatural strength when he rolled the stone cover off the well and watered her father’s animals. A tear trickled down her cheek. He kissed her forehead and continued exploring her face with his lips.
“You are my life Rachel,” he whispered as he led her to his bed.
After they made love she lay in his arms, dreading the sunrise. Panic, shame and grief churned in her stomach. How could she have done this to such a kind man? How could she do this to her sister? She had no choice.
Leah obsessed over her father’s motives. Was he just following the patriarchal laws of marrying off the eldest daughter first, or was he using her as a pawn against Jacob?
“Forgive me,” Leah whispered into the night. She hoped one day Jacob could love her even a fraction of what he loved Rachel, her sister.
The Story of Leah, Rachel and Jacob: Genesis 29, 30